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I realize there isn't much (if any) interest in Latin Jazz around here (Inexplicably, since not only is it fantastic music but also very much a vigorous workout for any audio rig!). Recently, the Grammy (NARAS) decided to do away with over 30 categories (mostly ethnic) that included Latin Jazz. There was much uproar and dissent within the Latin Jazz community (many were card-carrying NARAS members who weren't even consulted about this horrorshow!). Some of the artists actually took NARAS to court, protested outside Grammy presentations, and filed petitions. As upset as I was (Latin Jazz is my favorite genre!) I A)felt that the Grammys, in general, stopped being relevant a long time ago B) truly believed no protest/action taken by ANYBODY was going to have any affect. I felt that raging against the machine was going to be an exercise in futility, NO WAY they'd re-instate my beloved category. I WAS WRONG!! Truly feels like a victory, bittersweet in that the OTHER categories weren't re-instated, but a victory nonetheless. Sometimes, just sometimes, raging against the machine WORKS!!;)
Follow Ups:
Been listening to a lot of Latin Jazz (celebrating!;). The thing about this genre is that it mimics Jazz in that it's such a small word for such a vast universe of music! Big Band/small band, electric/acoustic, and when adding in the cultural influences it expands exponentially! For the adventurous music-lover, there's gold in them thar hills!;)
I'll list a few that are in current rotation:
Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet - To Here From There
Steve Kroon - Without A Doubt
Sammy Figueroa - Urban Nature
Roberto Quintero - Transmission
Paoli Meijas - Jazzambia
Michel Camilo - Mano A Mano
Mark Levine - Off & On (Plays the music of Moacir Santos)
Maraca & His Latin Jazz All-Stars - Live In Havana
John Santos Sextet - Filosofia Caribena
Interactivo - Cubanos Por El Mundo
Hilario Duran Big Band - From The Heart
Dafnis Prieto - Taking The Soul For A Walk
I truly could just go on and on....all these records feature fantastic music recorded exceptionally well! I've also found that the ladies (regardless of race, girls just have their ears screwed on right!) usually love el Jazz Latino!!;)
I'll try and find some of those recommendations.
Michel Camilo and Mark Levine I'm familiar with and I have the Santos title (and
a few others by him) as he's a local boy makes good and an intregal part of the
SF Bay Area Music scene.
Had a chance to hear this (rare) Ricardo Ray title today for the first time in a nice, affordable
LP re-issue and it's AMAZINGLY wonderful.
Lots of great jazz touches for a "salsa" LP!
So many dumb people with smart phones...
Goes to show you'll never know where you'll find a kindred spirit. Here I thought I was the only audiophile latin Jazzer 'round these parts!;) Tellyawhat Muse, if you PM me a mailing address I'll send you a comp of some of what's currently floatin' my boat! Guaranteed to please!!;)
Way better than Latin Jazz on the regular Grammy's. Regards,
J.R.
I hope the Pancho Sanchez/Terence Blanchard "Chano y Dizzy!" doesn't win anything - though it will likely get nominated.
It's terrible, and I DON"T mean Terence...
Good the category was reinstated, that the rage worked! Hopefully there will be enough decent releases to support it.
I wish he market was stronger, so someone Like EP, who is still vibrant and active would have an audience to support new releases.
Sadly, the market is soft for the genre, and the Grammys are ALL about the market (as opposed to the talent).
What are some of your recent favorites in the genre?
So many dumb people with smart phones...
I hear ya on that Sanchez/Blanchard record, it's terminally boring! Here's the thing about the Latin Jazz Grammy. Any music-lover worth his salt KNOWS that the Grammys stopped being relevant a LONG time ago. Fact is, year in and year out, I rarely agree with who's nominated, let alone who wins!! But when this genre was dropped (dumped) it felt like that scene in Footloose, when they started burning books! Jazz (in general) USED to have a much more acknowledged presence on the show. Nowadays it's barely an afterthought. I simply felt/feel like if they could just dump a vibrant genre, what's next? Sounds silly, but I keep thinking this; 'Beware, the next music they decide doesn't exist might be YOURS!!' While the Grammys are tainted (IMO), professionally, the bump in recognition helps WHOEVER wins, which can never be a bad thing. As an old-timer, I've seen many, many things that USED to be, simply disappear, culturally and in every which way, and simply had to accept it. The Latin Jazz/Salsa scene (much like Jazz) exists but it's an uphill battle just to stay alive. The Grammy debacle seemed like another nail in the coffin. It's rare when a nail gets pulled out!;). I've been celebrating and listening to a LOT of mi querido Jazz Latino. I'll be happy to post a list of recs....a little later!;)
I'm in total agreement (muy simpatico - given my limited Espanol) with you regards the Grammy Awards, which
have sucked for such a long, long time in most all categories/genres.
BUT, yes the awards STILL bring attention to artists and music so they must do good on some level.
I still listen frequently to much of the vintage Latin stuff of all varieties, but the Latin-Jazz stuff has dropped off
precipitously - especially in the past decade.
We're BIG Palmieri (he's a national treasure) fans and see him whenever he's in the area (most recently celebrating
50 years of recording with a KILLER band including stalwarts Herman Olivera and Nelson Gonzalez) at SF Yoshi's in
December). Dig the stuff Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (my favorite traps drummer
for Latin music - what a genius) have done. Of course they are all Palmieri related.
Pancho Sanchez ran dry decades ago, sadly.
Apart from that, I need to get exposed to newer stuff, so any recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated, likely by others here as well.
Gracias!!
So many dumb people with smart phones...
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