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A. Jazz Scene
November 2004 / Issue No. 206 CD Review
Banda Brothers Acting Up! WJ3 Records
By Cathy L. Jensen
Meg Ryan’s memorable scene in When Harry Met Sally proved that some peak experiences can be faked. Latin Jazz is not one of them. The powerful twin roots of Afro-Latin and American jazz have again produced succulent fruit in this first release. After eight years, the Banda Brothers’ loyal, local following is feasting with them on just desserts. The disc leads off with collaboration between conguero Joey DeLeon and Francisco Torres. On “1070 Elder Ave., The Bronx” DeLeon shows Torres around his old neighborhood. Not the gentrified Bronx of the new Millennium, but all the frenetic sights, sounds, tastes and dynamic rhythms of a time teeming with the electricity of life so suited to this idiom. The prolific Torres penned four additional tunes, two acknowledging those who led the way: “Talk like Eddie” (Harris) and “Ara Orun” for Mongo Santamaria, Julito Collazo, Ray Brown and Elvin Jones. Watch for this player/composer. When he takes the stage with saxophonist Javier Vergara, the mutual respect with which they listen to each other combusts with magic. They blow the brass off those horns. When a world class timbalero like Ramon Banda puts out a call for percussionists to jolt J.J. Johnson’s “Concepts in Blue” into a high-voltage Latin Jazz interpretation, musicians like bongocero Jose Papo Rodriguez and Alfred Ortiz on guiro and maracas answer the call. Only those with monster chops need apply. The .sextet nails Nat Adderley’s “Fun” like a runaway freight train before shifting gears into Vergara’s “Contemplation.” This is the kind of ballad that brings a hush over a crowded jazz club, so that the patrons can really listen to the music. The composer reins in his tenor sax and seems to celebrate a sensuous saunter as a subtle art form. Chris Barron’s piano solos eloquently speak for themselves. What he does the rest of the time is more enigmatic, like air, unseen yet vital. The horns ride the thermals of his keyboards, while the percussion rumbles into the resultant void. His two originals, the hard bop “Smart Boy” and the Brazilian bossa-styled “I Don’t Mind” showcase the dynamic diversity of his talent. The brothers Banda, Tony on bass, Ramon on drums, are like a pair of crash cymbals in search of a lightning strike. With decades of dues paid, they attract hard-working talent. After their thunder roars, there are flashes of electricity and the audience can hear the future of these time honored traditions, feeding off one another, juicy and pulsing with life. Forget what she’s having. Make mine Acting
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| The Banda Bros. have been hand crafting the finest professional shekeres available anywhere. Many years of research and experiment has gone into each one. They hand pick each and every gourd, spending countless hours going through hundreds to pick the right shapes and weight. Because gourds are a natural organic material, each one is unique and will vary in size, shape and sound. They have worked closely with many of the top players in the world of Pop, Jazz & Latin music as well as world renown Afro-Cuban master percussionists, getting first hand insights as to the right balance between the gourd and intricately woven bead netting. The goal is to have the shekere respond to the musical ideas being created by the player. |
