Cuban-born master Guitarist, Composer and Arranger Jorge Garcia has released a new CD that is dedicated to many of the esteemed musicians he has collaborated with in past years. The list includes Tony Bennett, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Chuck Redd, Jon Faddis and Ignacio Berroa. On his new CD released in February of this year, Garcia celebrates his collaborations with two other Jazz icons, the late alto saxophonist Richie Cole and Harmonica wizard Hendrick Meurkens along with some of his favorite local musicians from South Florida.
You may not be familiar with Jorge Garcia's body of work as I wasn't but after listening to just the two cuts I have attached from his new album, you will quickly become a big fan. Garcia demonstrates on his new CD how he can brilliantly move from Be-Bop, Brazilian, Latin, Ballads and Standards seamlessly. His perfomance skills are at the highest levels. I was also very impressed with Garcia's compositions. They are rich and have depth, clarity and melody. No wonder all the super musicians I have listed above wanted to record with him.
On the two songs from "Dedicated To You" that I have attached I need to mention the outstanding support that Drummer James Cotmon and Bassist Jamie Ousley contributed to Garcia and his new CD.
Jorge Garcia has produced a first-class stylish Jazz CD and picking only two wonderful songs from this album was very difficult. You need to add this CD to your collection. It's one of the best I have heard in many months.
The first tune I attached from "YouTube" was "This One's For Richie". It was especially written by Garcia to showcase Richie Cole's alto melodic mood over a swinging medium tempo. Garcia contributes a great solo using a hollow-bodied Guitar. The second tune is another Garcia original "With You Always". The song is a warm Brazilian composition that demostrates the fine chemistry between Garcia's Guitar and Hendrick Meurkens's Harmonica. Also notable on this track is the contribution from Drummer James Cotmon and Bassist Jamie Ousley.
PLAYERS:
Jorge Garcia- Guitar, Compositions, Arranging
Richie Cole- Alto Sax
Rick Doll- Bass on 1,2
James Cotmon- Drums
Jamie Ousley- Bass on 3,4,6
Gino Castillo- Percussion
John Yarling- Drums 4
Paul Banman- Piano
Hendrick Meurkens- Harmonica
Wendy Pedersen- Vocals
PLAYLIST:
1. Minority
2. This One's For Richie
3. With You Always
4. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
5. You Fascinate Me
6. S'Wonderful
7. Dedicated To You
"With You Always""This One's For Richie"
