Latin Jazz Instruments: Roots, Contrasts and Musical Interaction
Latin Jazz is, by definition, a genre of fusions: it combines the rhythmic richness of Afro-Cuban music with the harmonic and melodic sophistication of American jazz. This union takes place not only stylistically, but also through its instruments, which come from very different cultural backgrounds yet find fertile ground for musical dialogue.
Pillars of Latin Jazz: Bauzá, Gillespie and Pozo
The development of Latin Jazz—or Afro-Cuban Jazz—cannot be understood without the historic convergence of three fundamental figures: Dizzy Gillespie, Mario Bauzá, and Chano Pozo. Beyond their individual careers, it was the creative exchange between these musicians that sparked a new energy in modern jazz, blending the rhythmic complexity of Afro-Cuban traditions with the harmonic freedom of bebop. This article explores how their collaboration laid the foundation for a vibrant, hybrid, and deeply influential genre.
Adrián Iaies — Buenos Aires, Jazz, Melancolía y Estilo
Adrián Iaies, pianista, compositor y arreglador, es uno de los músicos de jazz con una carrera más larga, prolífica y, lejos del último lugar en importancia, coherente. Ha grabado más de veinte discos, actúa casi cada fin de semana y se ha presentado en España y varios países de América. Fue, en 2023, el responsable de pensar y realizar las orquestaciones del espectáculo con el que el Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires homenajeó un disco histórico de la música argentina, Artaud, de Luis Alberto Spinetta, a cincuenta años de su publicación. Y fue, durante casi una década, el director del Festival de Jazz de su ciudad natal.
From Danzas to Jazz: The Evolution of Puerto Rican Music
The initial contact of Puerto Ricans with the first manifestations of Jazz is the result of the United States invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898. With the arrival of the US troops, their customs and music also arrived. The orchestras at the different towns in Puerto Rico kept their musical offer of Danzas, Plenas and music from Latin America, but they began to include in their music repertoire styles heard from the United States military bands, such as Ragtime, precursor of what later would be called Jazz.
Exclusive Review: An Enthralling Performance by Akane Ezawa Quartet - Subscribe Now to Witness the Magic!
Alto saxophonist Akane Ezawa's leader band made its debut on Oh! Jazz. Born in 1992 in Kanagawa Prefecture, she started playing saxophone in middle school and has been active at the forefront of the scene since studying jazz at Showa University of Music. In 2019, she received high praise for her participation in the Perth International Jazz Festival in Western Australia with her leader band, and her debut album "Thaw" in 2021 also garnered much attention.
Concert Review: Caramelo de Cuba at Café Berlín, Madrid
After a cajon and bass introduction, Javier Gutiérrez Massó “Caramelo” enters the stage, and immediately displays his expressiveness and interpretative skills, alternating between the piano and the electronic keyboard in the song “Monday Evening”.
Soulful Revolutions: Jazz's Decade of Change in the 1960s (Part 8 of a 13-Part Series)
The time from 1960 to 1970 was a period of immense change and innovation in jazz, marked by the continued exploration of new styles and the fusion of jazz with other genres. Here are some key developments and trends in jazz during this time…
Women in Jazz
With the passage of time, various movements occur in music, and one of them is the re-evaluation of the past. It's something that has become apparent as many types of music are stored in databases, and the work of creating new history from exploring the past is becoming more active than ever.
Sonic Frontiers: Jazz's Daring Decade of Evolution in the 1950s (Part 7 of a 13-Part Series)
The time from 1950 to 1960 marked a period of continued evolution and diversification within the jazz genre. Here are some key developments and trends during this time.