Ceremonial

Miguel Zenón | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Marsalis Music
• ASIN: B0000WN0XC
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,077 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Recorded after a successful European tour, Miguel Zenón's quartet is engaged in both the material and with another on this album. The seven original tracks and two covers offer a bracing mix of Latin rhythms and melodic sensibilities with jazz phrasing and harmonics. From the celebratory bearing of the opening "Leyenda" (by Silvio Rodriguez) to the closing spiritual "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," emotional vitality runs though it all. On "Transfiguration," Zenón's alto saxophone runs wonderful lyrical circles around the evocatively reverbed and wordless vocals of guest Luciana Souza. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, his homeland lies at the heart of his compositional sensibilities. He writes ballads of staggering beauty ("A Reminder of Us") as well as post-bop inspired workouts ("Ya"). Pianist Luis Perdomo is a forceful rhythmic player, as well as being chordally inventive. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music music music, January 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ceremonial (Audio CD)

This is what happens when a great musician, who is also a masterful saxophone player, formulates a real concept for how a band should sound, composes in a unique voice, and extracts results from his sidemen that elevate the proceedings. Miguel humbles me everytime I hear him, and this recording is a tremendous documentation of one of the best musicians I've ever heard. Luis Perdomo, Hans Glawischnig, and Antonio Sanchez are all in it for the right reasons. No one plays anything that the music doesn't call for. Folks, this is the way it is done. Music is not about fast notes, technique and flash. It's about what is found on this record. Expect things to get even better as the records go by. Miguel Zenon is the real deal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Concept, February 3, 2004

By 

"adamcz" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ceremonial (Audio CD)

Miguel's band has a real nice thing going on. The tunes are interesting and always melodic. There's a lot of genuine interaction going on, and a real distinct band sound that's not based on virtuosity or showiness. Miguel has a very personal and well developed voice on the alto, and he's confident enough to let that and his band speak for themselves. I was only exposed to this album for it being on Branford's label, but after listening to it for a couple weeks now, I want to go back and check out his earlier work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good, very inventive!!!, February 26, 2004

By 

NDBx "NDBx" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ceremonial (Audio CD)

I have to admit that I had not heard of Miguel prior to this recording. I had the pleasure of hearing this recording in the record store of a friend of mine. Miguel has a beautiful tone but unlike players with such a gift he doesn't exploit it that by playing to that asset. He improvises excellently, he embellishes and knows when not to play. The player he most reminds me of is Lee Konitz.

Antonio Sanchez's drumming is just priceless. He shows why he is one of the up and coming drummers out there. Luis Pendoino's playing is a fine cross of intellect and heart. Hans Glawishing is a fine bassist with a lyrical style kind of like Eddie Gomez.

I think this a good balance of good playing and good material. The arrangments are excellent.

I will be looking forward to his next release, while playing this recording a great deal.