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Bobby Sanabria: Vox Humana

By Cary Tenenbaum
May 6, 2023
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The opening track on Vox Humana could easily have been the encore of this live performance recorded at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, part of Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York City. It is a rousing version of the

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington crowd pleaser "Caravan" and a boisterous Latin tinged big band version it is, with

Matthew Gonzalez

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew Gonzalez 's barril de bomba and requinto pandereta, bandleader and drummer Sanabria and others on congas, bongos and bells prominently leading the percussionists and portending the unfettered upbeat joy to come.

It might help with the lyrics, but you don't have to speak Spanish to understand this music because melody, rhythm and music are universally understood forms of communication and the top notch performances by vocalists and instrumental soloists express it so wonderfully in these songs. The second track, "Capullito De Aleli," is another stand out cut, and features vocals by

Jennifer Jade Ledesna

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Jennifer Jade Ledesna as well as great solos by pianist

Darwin Noguera

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Darwin Noguera and

Andrew Gould

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Gould on alto sax.

The good-time music continues on track five with

Antoinette Montague

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Antoinette Montague singing the 1946

Louis Jordan

saxophone, alto
1908 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Jordan hit "Let The Good Times Roll" featuring

Armando Vergara

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Armando Vergara on the trombone with plunger mute. Then a couple of tracks later the tempo slows a bit with Montague again singing the Gershwins' "I Love You Porgy."

On the tenth track vocalist

Janis Siegel

vocals
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Janis Siegel of the

The Manhattan Transfer

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">The Manhattan Transfer steps up front with a great version of "Spooky" featuring some fine scat vocals. A couple of cuts later she sings the

Steely Dan

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan hit "Do It Again" along with Ledesna and Montague joining in, and

Noah Bless

trombone
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Noah Bless on trombone and

Gabrielle Garo

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Gabrielle Garo on flute.

While the intention of this album seems to be to feature vocalists, the instrumental soloists and the big band as a whole all shine with tight arrangements and inspired solos. The final track, "Mi Congo," shows us this with violinist

Benjamin Sutin

violin
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Benjamin Sutin starting an array of solos including trumpets and saxophones and percussionists.

In 2023 it may be hard to imagine a time when jazz music was a mainstream popular music, where people would go to clubs, concert venues and dance halls to dance and party. This album recalls those times with updated arrangements and perfect execution.

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Track Listing

Caravan; Capullito De Aleli; Puerto Rico, Partido Alto; Let The Good Times Roll; Who Taught You That; I Love You Porgy; Genie In A Bottle; Amazonas; Spooky To Be With You; Do It Again; Mi Congo.

Personnel

Bobby Sanabria

congas

Janis Siegel

vocals

Antoinette Montague

vocals

Jennifer Jade Ledesna

vocals

David DeJesus

saxophone

Additional Instrumentation

Oreste Abrantes: congas; Matthew Gonzalez: bong�� cencerro, barril de bomba, requinto pandereta, ganza, Puerto Rican guicharo, agogo; Takao Heisho: Cuban guiro, agogo bells, claves, cuica, pandeiro, maracas, shekere, tambourine; Leo Traversa: electric bass; Max Darch��: lead trumpet; Dave Miller: lead trombone; Ben Sutin:electric: violin; Gabrielle Garo: flute; Andrew Gould: alto. sax; Peter Brainin: tenor sax, Jeff Lederer: tenor sax; Danny Rivera:bar sax;Matt Hilgenberg: trumpet; Jonathan Challoner: trumpet; Andrew Neesley: trumpet;Noah Bless:trombone; Armando Vergara:trombone; Chris Washburne: bass trombone

Album information

Title: Vox Humana | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Jazzheads

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