CD Review: Juan Carlos Quintero, "Table For Five"

 If you are a big Latin music fan or are new to Latin music, I think you will enjoy Juan Carlos Quintero's  CD, "Table For Five".  This CD was released in January of this year but I didn't get a chance to listen to it until recently. Quintero was born in Medellin, Colombia and his sound reflects the colorful sounds and diverse rhythms of his birthplace.  What attracts me to Quintero's music is his clarity when improvising on his Guitar.  His playing always seems to have direction and planning even when he is improvising.  His music is beautiful, jazzy and understandable.  His latin rhythms are enjoyable and happy.

Quintero is extremely musically talented.  He started his own label called Moondo Records in 2000. The purpose of his label was to create a nurturing, supportive environment for artists. In 2021, he released the critically acclaimed "Caminando"  about which the London Jazz News said, "The music in question is spirited, uplifting and dance-inflected and will surely have broad appeal, within and beyond the boundaries of Jazz".  I wish I could have written such a dead on description of Quintero's music because that's what I felt when I listened to his CD for the first time.

The musicians Quintero gathered to join him on this album are longtime friends and master Latin musicians.  Their playing fits Quintero's style of music perfectly.   Eddie Resto on Bass, Joe Rotondi on Piano, Aaron Serfaty on Drums and Joey DeLeon on Percussion.  

The CD playlist contains Jazz standards, two Quintero original compositions and a few gems from the Great American Songbook.  It all works wonderful together!

I have picked two cuts from the CD that are on "YouTube".  The First is "Mambo Balahu" written by legendary Cuban percussionist Armando Peraza.  The second is a Quintero original "Table For Five" and it's beautiful.    

                                                            "Mambo Balahu"    

                                                                   "Table For Five"

THE PLAYLIST:

1. Alone Together

2. Mambo Balahu

3. The Gentle Rain

4. Manha De Carnaval

5. Table For Five

6. Song For My Father

7. Porque Si Quieres

8. Days of Wine and Roses

9. Giant Steps

10. Beautiful Love

PLAYERS:

Juan Carlos Quintero- Guitar

Aaron Serfaty-s Drums

Joey DeLeon- Percussion

Joe Rotondi-Piano

Eddie Resto-Bass 

CD Review: Josh Nelson, "The Sky Remains"

Josh Nelson, Jazz Pianist /Composer/ Teacher is teeming with superb musical talents.  I seem to run into him everywhere, at concerts performing with his own band, on many amazing new CDs that he participated on and at concerts where he is performing as part of another band.  Born and raised in Southern California,  Josh has just released his newest CD, "The Sky Remains" that contains 10 story-driven compositions he has written based on past, present and future LA history.  The wonderful songs composed for this CD were meant to be an historical tribute to Los Angeles, the city he loves.  The music is bright and fresh and even listeners who have never been to LA are sure to fall in love with his creative music.  I previously knew he was a great Jazz Pianist but his writing and arranging for this CD are as good as it gets!  Josh's skills at performing Jazz Piano put him in constant demand from other performing Jazz musicians who recognize his wonderful talents.
Don't be fooled by Josh Nelson's relatively young age.  He is a proven pro who has performed with some of the most respected names in Jazz, including Kurt Elling, John Pizzarelli, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan and Peter Erskine.  Josh toured with Natalie Cole for 6 years and continues to tour with vocalist Sara Gazarek and accordionist Richard Galliano, among others.

Josh as you would expect has selected a group of world-class Jazz performers to join him on this CD.   They are listed below.  The CD was released on September ł5th, 2017 and I give it my highest recommendation. It's Jazz at its finest!

PERSONNEL
Josh Nelson, Piano, Nord Electro 3, Vocal
Anthony Wilson, Guitar, Vocal
Kathleen Grace, Vocal
Lillian Sengpiehi, Vocal
Josh Johnson, Alto Sax, Flute
Chris Lawrence, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Brian Walsh, Bb flat Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Larry Goldings, Hammond B3 Organ
Alex Boneham, Bass
Dan Schnelle, Drums
Asron Serfaty, Percussion

Playlist:
1. "Bridges and Tunnels"
2. "The Sky Remains"
3. "On The Sidewalk"
4. "The Architect"
5. "Ah, Los Angeles"
6. "Lost Souls of Saturn"
7. "Pitseleh"
8. "Pacific Ocean Part"
9. "Run"
10. "Stairways"

I have attached a "YouTube" of Josh Nelson and his band playing the first cut from this CD, "Bridges and Tunnels".  Absolutely beautiful music!  It was recorded at the Blue Whale in LA.