by Steph Cosme Silvano Monasterios’ The River is a Latin jazz album created as a meditation on identity, culture, and the unbroken current of rhythm that ties one generation to another. Monasterious presents seven compositional structures for ensemble interplay. The result is The River vibrates with cultural resonance, textural storytelling, and the way its sound … Read more
Mariah Parker, Windows Through Time Review Mariah Parker’s latest album, Windows Through Time, is a unique addition to her critically acclaimed discography, which includes Sangria and Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert. This album is a captivating journey through the world of Latin jazz, showcasing Parker’s genre-bending brilliance. The ensemble, featuring Paul McCandless on saxophone, … Read more
Sarah McKenzie, Without You Review Without You is a vibrant collection of Brazilian jazz, lovingly compiled by the talented jazz pianist, composer, and singer Sarah McKenzie. This album marks her sixth studio venture and is a heartfelt homage to Brazilian music, particularly the works of Antonio Carlos Jobim. McKenzie’s profound connection to Brazilian music and culture … Read more
Steve Khan, Patchwork Review It is Latin GRAMMY season, and the best of Latin releases seem to be recirculating on contributors’ minds. A Latin Jazz album that comes to mind for me is Patchwork subtitled in Spanish, “Medio Mezclado” by guitarist Steve Khan. The album represents the fourth in a series where Khan enhances the guitar’s … Read more
Roberto Fonseca, Yesun Review Connect with Roberto Fonseca: Facebook || Website Roberto Fonseca is a Havana-born composer and pianist that is combining his AfroCuban heritage with musical sounds of the jazz tradition and today’s popular music. Fonseca has been at the forefront of the renaissance in Cuban music, releasing a catalogue of acclaimed solo albums … Read more
Bill O’Connell, Winds Off The Hudson Review Connect with Bill O’Connell: Facebook | Website Bill O’Connell is a matador of Latin Jazz. Involved since the 70s his sense of authenticity is matchless. On his latest album Winds Off The Hudson, O’Connell gathers a masterful line up of Andrea Brachfeld – flute (tracks 1, 3, 5, … Read more
reSouza, Grenseland Review Connect with reSouza: Facebook | Instagram Based in Bergen, Norwar, reSouza is a Brazilian-Norwegian vocalist and songwriter that is combining the sounds of bossa nova and Norwegian folk music. ReSouza’s debut single, “Your Melody,” was released in January of 2018. She followed up the single with “Årene Går” in July. ReSouza has … Read more
June Bisantz & Alex Nakhimovsky, Love’s Tango Review Connect with June Bisantz & Alex Nakhimovsky: Facebook | What is better than one creative mind, well two of course. Co-leaders June Bisantz, a lauded vocalist and pianist Alex Nakhimovsky have come together to create a decisively Latin flavored casting of original compositions that are inventive as … Read more
Djavan, Vesúvio Review Connect with Djavan: Facebook | Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Djavan used to go with his mother, Virginia, to the river bank where she did laundry with other laundresses from Maceió. That is when he noticed how beautiful his mother and her friends sang, and how she was able to coordinate their voices … Read more
Melbreeze, Animazonia Review Connect with Melbreeze: Facebook Melbreeze is an artist that has steadily released evocative and groundbreaking CDs for several years now. Most have been produced by former bassist of the Yellowjackets Jimmy Haslip. This project he is joined in the production chair by Scott Kinsey, best known for his work with Tribal Tech. … Read more