Latin Jazz Piano V.1

Enrico Pieranunzi has proved himself to be one of the leading jazz pianists in Europe, primarily as a post-bop pianist who has recorded numerous CDs as a leader for various European and Japanese labels since his career took off during the mid-'90s. But this 2008 gig at Birdland in New York City reveals a different side, as it focuses on six Latin-flavored originals by Pieranunzi. He recruited a top-notch cast of supporting musicians, including trumpeter Diego Urcola; saxophonist Yosvany Terry; the young, in-demand drummer Antonio Sanchez; and veteran bassist John Patitucci. Pieranunzi's compositions blend the energy of Latin jazz with a singular infectious drive, particularly on his extended opener, "Danza 2," showcasing Urcola, Terry, and the composer in turn. The lovely Latin ballad "Rosa del Mare" is a subdued lyrical gem omitting the horns.

With 2021's sparkling duets album Mirror Mirror, pianist Eliane Elias joins two of her biggest influences, legendary jazz keyboardist Chick Corea and acclaimed Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. Co-produced by Elias, her husband bassist Marc Johnson, and longtime collaborator Steve Rodby, Mirror Mirror is a bold contrast to the Brazilian-born artist's more vocal-centric albums like 2019's Love Stories and 2017's Latin Grammy-winning Dance of Time. Here, she spotlights her deep jazz, classical, and Afro-Latin musical roots as she spars in friendly musical conversation with these two piano masters: literally going head-to-head with Corea and Valdés as she recorded each track live in the studio facing her guests. Adding to the album's timely atmosphere is the loss of Corea, who passed away in 2021 soon after the album was recorded. Mirror Mirror is an album of effortless virtuosity rife with a vibrant, in-the-moment energy.

The Latin Jazz Quintet had an odd history. The short-lived group, which had quite a bit of turnover during its life, is today best-known for two sessions (one for New Jazz and a more obscure set for United Artists) in which it was joined by Eric Dolphy. Those two dates (particularly the New Jazz outing) found Dolphy largely ignoring the Latin Jazz Quintet and vice-versa; at no time does the adventurous soloist and the more conventional ensemble react to or even acknowledge each other! Conga player Juan Amalbert was the original leader of the LJQ with the lineup on their first recording (the Dolphy New Jazz date) also including vibraphonist Charlie Simmons, pianist Gene Casey, bassist Bill Ellington, and Manny Ramos on drums and timbales…

Spanish pianist Chano Dominguez keeps on with his unique blending of flamenco and jazz with Piano Ibérico (Iberian Piano), an exquisite homage to some of Spain's most influential composers, including Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, and Frederic Mompou. Along with three new compositions of his own, Dominguez creates his own interpretations of these four piano composers. "They are the inspirers of this work and, to me, the first flamenco pianists because they were able to take the soul of popular music and stamp all their knowledge," he explains.
After his recent collaborations with Wynton Marsalis and Paquito D'Rivera, Dominguez takes on the challenge of updating the music of some of his deepest and most intimate influences…

This very evocative 1965 recording session was a cause for celebration not only among critics but among the bossa nova-crazed audiences of Brazil and the U.S, and it sold quite well. Donato is a jazz pianist first, and his allegiances in harmony and melody come from there first and foremost. But rhythmically and in his phrasing, he comes from the generation of Brazilian musicians who developed the bossa nova as an art form. His touch is light, his settings are lush and laid-back, and his playing is as much or more from his left hand as his right. Solos on these records are wonderfully improvised, but they reflect the sweet, gorgeous melodies on the front line of these tunes. As such, Donato comes across as an elegant pianist and ensemble player, establishing his individual touch as a leader in that left hand rhythmic bent where he loves those shaded keys.

Here are 10 CDs of the most relaxing chillout recordings ever cut to audio disc. This fantastic collection offers over 10 hours of peaceful classical pieces, calming piano moods and smooth pop standards, moving and memorable film and TV themes together with cool jazz, celtic moods and even a whole disc dedicated to soothing melodies of Lennon and McCartney.

The Latin side for Vince Guaraldi means a brush with both the Brazilian and Caribbean strains of Latin jazz, garnished now and then by an outboard string quartet and graced by four of his own delightful tunes. On Brazilian numbers like "Corcovado" and Brazilian-treated tunes like "Mr. Lucky" and Guaraldi's lovely "Star Song," Vince has drummer Jerry Granelli deploy his distinctive brushes-and-rim-shots bossa nova beat. Jack Weeks supplies bittersweet string arrangements as he tries to grant Guaraldi's wish for a "Villa-Lobos sound," which he does, more or less. Other tunes, like Guaraldi's own happy-go-lucky "Treat Street," "Whirlpool," and Nat Adderley's "Work Song," are treated to gentle cha-cha rhythms…

McCoy Tyner - McCoy Tyner and The Latin All-Stars (1999) {Telarc Jazz CD-83462}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 399 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 147 Mb
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© 1999 Telarc Jazz | CD-83462
Jazz / Post Bop / Latin Jazz / Piano

McCoy Tyner's percussive piano style has always worked well within an Afro-Cuban groove, and this recording provides an excellent setting for him and his all-star lineup to work in. Mixing genre classics like "Afro Blue" and "Poinciana" with original material, Tyner's first release for the Telarc label provides a completely satisfying, highly rhythmic experience. Regular bassist Avery Sharpe combines with a three-man percussion section to propel the group's extended explorations.