Ceremony

Omar Sosa | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ota Records
• ASIN: B0031QDKLG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,720 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Ceremony is a major new project, the fruit of pianist-composer Omar Sosa's first big-band collaboration with composer-arranger-cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, Hamburg's 18-piece NDR Bigband (North German Radio/Norddeutscher Rundfunk), and the Omar Sosa Quartet, featuring Julio Barreto (drums), Childo Tomas (electric bass0, and Marcos Ilukan (Afro-Cuban percussion). Sosa himself plays piano and marimba. Recorded in two sessions (2007 & 2008) at NDR's Hamburg studios under the direction of Morelenbaum and Sosa, Ceremony features Morelenbaum's brilliant arrangements of selections from Omar's Spirit of the Roots (1999), Bembon (2000), and Afreecanos (2009). It also acknowledges the majesty of the legendary Afro-Cuban big bands of Frank 'Machito' Grillo, Chico O'Farrill and Dizzy Gillespie, while extending those revered traditions in a contemporary salute to the expansive universe of world jazz, wherein Sosa himself continues to reign as a joyous, generous, abundant, and essential creative spirit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Omar Sosa continues to evolve, May 6, 2010

By 

lee morgan (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ceremony (Audio CD)

This is an outstanding recording by a maturing artist whose versatility (solo, duets, quartets, quintet and now big band) is as impressive as his technique and musical vision. The other "star" of this recording is the arranger Jacques Morelenbaum. His arrangements are truly inspired musical backgrounds for Omar's compositions, often orchestral in scope yet melodically complex and undulating. And the German NDR big band is flawless. It would be an amazing experience to hear this music performed live. It has the musical punch of Dolphy's arrangements for Coltrane's Africa Brass as well as the colors and shadings of a Gil Evans. Highly recommended. Can't wait to see Omar in duet w Paolo Fresu this summer at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Afro Cuban Big Band Sound, May 18, 2010

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Rodolfo Romanach-suarez (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ceremony (Audio CD)

Danzon de tus ojos is the title cut, and the number that attracted me to this CD after listening to it on WBGO. Without doubt, Danzon de tus Ojos, is the masterpiece of this record. Other numbers like Cha con Marimba, Mi Tradicion, and Monkuru are also very enjoyable. I just wish the CD included more improvisation from the big band. I really enjoy fiery solos in jazz big bands, and there are not enough in this CD. Overall, I like the CD and I'm enjoying listening to it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Omar Sosa does it again, January 13, 2012

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Taggen - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ceremony (Audio CD)

Omar Sosa and the German NDR Big Band makes a heady combination. The music is pleasant and melodic, with a unic jazz sound that makes me want more. This is jazz music at it's best. All tracks on the CD are outstanding and a joy to listen to, well arranged an amazingly preformed. I love it!