1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful debut from Cuban jazzman Tony Martinez, July 29, 2003
This review is from: La Habana Vive (Audio CD)
Tony Martinez is an enthusiastic and educated Cuban musician, having been classically trained, immersed in Latino-Cuban music, and seduced by jazz. His music is mostly based on traditional rhythms & chants, yet his solos reveal the harmonic sophistication of advanced hard bop. "Coltrane My Giant", the only composition titled in English, reveals one major jazz influence.
Martinez & his group Cuban Latin Jazz are the core septet on all the tracks, yet there is a host of guest players, including three additional percussion/conga players and five backing vocalists. Martinez composed and arranged all the tunes, plays alto & tenor saxes, flute, piano and keyboards. He even takes a piano solo on one track, despite the presence of Gonzalo Rubalcaba, though Gonzalo does get opportunity to display his virtuoso technique on the three tracks he appears on.
This combination of high quality jazz soloing and authentic Latin rhythms should excite and satisfy most Latin-jazz fans.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
