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Spanish Harlem Orchestra: The Latin Jazz Project

By Mark Sullivan
July 31, 2020
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Spanish Harlem Orchestra: The Latin Jazz Project

When last heard from, the salsa powerhouse

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Spanish Harlem Orchestra was celebrating fifteen years of playing together with Anniversary (ArtistShare, 2018). There have always been elements of Latin jazz in the group's music, and Artistic Director

Oscar Hernandez

piano
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Hernandez is a noted Latin jazz pianist, so it was only a matter of time until they presented a full program of it. In addition to his arrangements, Hern��ndez contributed several compositions, and is a prominent soloist.

The band contains some strong jazz soloists. Opening track "Ritmo De Mi Gente" has a catchy rhythm which inspires flautist

Jeremy Bosch

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Bosch and the leader on piano: both contribute solos on several other tracks as well. Naturally there are percussion solos too, from

Luisito Quintero

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Luisito Quintero's timbales and

George Delgado

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">George Delgado's congas. Good as the band is on its own, the excitement is taken up a notch by an impressive roster of guest soloists. Saxophonist

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer turns up the heat on "Bobo;" the standard "Invitation" is sung by

Kurt Elling

vocals
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Elling, and also features alto saxophonist

Miguel Zenon

saxophone, alto
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Miguel Zenon, trading fours with Elling's scat singing at the end of the solo section.

"Las Palmas" features a riveting

Tom Harrell

trumpet
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Harrell trumpet solo; "Silent Prayers" is led by soprano saxophonist

Dave Liebman

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Liebman, with solos led off by

Jimmy Haslip

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Haslip's lyrical bass, followed by Bosch's flute and Liebman's soprano—one of the most striking of Hern��ndez's melodies. "Round Midnight" could easily have been the ballad of the set, but is given an effective up-tempo treatment instead. "Latin Perspective" features vibraphonist

Joe Locke

vibraphone
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Locke. He and Hern��ndez must have hit it off, because the track is followed by "Joe and Oscar," a brief duet credited to them both.

"Descarga De Jazz" closes the album with a feature for the entire orchestra, including the three vocalists (who solo along with the horns, as well as providing a rousing chorus), an exciting conclusion to another excellent outing from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

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Track Listing

Ritmo De Mi Gente; Bobo; Invitation; Acid Rain; Las Palmas; Silent Prayers; Round Midnight; Fort Apache; Latin Perspective; Joe And Oscar; Descarga De Jazz.

Personnel

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

Oscar Hernandez

piano

Hector Colon

trumpet

Manuel Ruiz

trumpet

Jonathan Powell

trumpet

Doug Beavers

trombone

Noah Bless

trombone

Jorge Castro

saxophone

Mitch Frohman

saxophone

Luisito Quintero

percussion

George Delgado

congas

Jorge Gonzalez

bongos

Gerardo Madera

bass

Jeremy Bosch

flute

Marco Bermudez

vocals

Carlos Cascante

vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Oscar Hern��ndez: piano, leader; H��ctor Col��n: trumpet, flugelhorn; Manuel ��Maneco�� Ruiz: trumpet, flugelhorn (1,5,6,8,11); Jonathan Powell: trumpet, flugelhorn (2,3,4,7,9); Doug Beavers: trombone; Noah Bless: trombone; Jorge Castro, baritone saxophone; Mitch Frohman: baritone saxophone (11); Luisito Quintero: timbales, shekere, shakers, chimes; George Delgado: congas; Jorge Gonz��lez: bongos; Gerardo ��Jerry�� Madera: bass; Jeremy Bosch: flute, vocal (11); Marco Bermudez: vocal (11); Carlos Cascante: vocal (11). Guests: Kurt Elling, vocals; Joe Locke, vibraphone; Jimmy Haslip, bass; Tom Harrell, trumpet; Dave Liebman, saxophone; Bob Franceschini, saxophone; Bob Mintzer, saxophone; Jonathan Powell, trumpet; Michael Rodgiguez, trumpet; Miguel Zen��n, saxophone.

Album information

Title: The Latin Jazz Project | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: ArtistShare

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