Jazzin' Puerto Rico Jazz Guide.
Feb-April 2016
The History of Women in Jazz Part I
CD Reviews: Papo Vazquez Cafezz Gema Corredera
Intervie with Jan w Maisone ice t
Jazz Fest Reviews Photo by Sue Vega
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WOMEN IN JAZZ Even though Jazz music Is generally seen as a men's world, Women have contributed throughout the jazz history, as performers, composers, songwriters and bandleaders. While women are usually famous as jazz Singers; Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald there are plenty of example of Women recognized as great contributors to jazz as composers, bandleaders and instrumental performers. One of the First jazz instrumentalist was piano player Lil Hardin Armstrong, originally a member of King Oliver's band with Louis Armstrong and went on to play piano in Armstrong's band the Hot Five. Lovie Austin (1887–1972) was another piano player and bandleader. Valaida Snow (1904–1956), trumpet player, was known as "Little Louis". Great women jazz songwriters include Irene Higginbotham (1918-1988) who wrote "Good Morning Heartache". Ann Ronell (1905–1993) wrote "Willow Weep for Me" and Dorothy Fields (1905–1974) wrote the lyrics for more than 400 songs. She co-wrote "The Way You Look Tonight" with Jerome Kern, which won the 1936 Oscar for Best Song. She co-wrote several jazz standards with Jimmy McHugh, such as "Exactly Like You". "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby"
While Billie Holiday is best known as a singer, she co-wrote "God Bless the Child" and "Don't Explain" with Arthur Herzog, Jr. and she penned the blues song "Fine and Mellow". On the next issue, more about women instrumentalists in Jazz. Article by Jazzin Magazine
Jazzin: Where were you born? And tell me about your beginnings I was born in Manati but I was raised in Florida. It was there in third grade that I started taking music lessons at the Juanita Ramirez Elementary School. On the fourth grade I started studying saxophone with Professor Axel Delgado.
And from there, where did you study? In 2005 I went to the University of Puerto Rico to study Music Education. It was there that I got in contact with Jazz music thanks to Professor Samuel Morales. After that I auditioned and was accepted in the Jazz and Caribbean Music Program at the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico. At the Conservatory I studied with great Professors like Marco Pignataro, Ricardo Pons, Norberto Ortiz and David Sánchez And played with great Masters like Luis Marín, Brenda Hopkins, Elías Santos Celpa, y Charlie Sepúlveda. As soon as I completed my studies at the Conservatory in 2012 I, I started working as a music Professor at the Art School in Carolina.
What about your professional experience I've played with some of the best jazz musicians in Puerto Rico. And some artists outside the Jazz scene like Tego Calderón, La Banda Atención Atención, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Luis Perico Ortiz, jazz master Charlie Sepúlveda, and Orquesta Panamericana. Currently I'm working in a trio project with only female musicians called Amina. and with my Jazz Trio Los Supersonicos. I also worked with Master Saxophonist Angel Torres on his project Saxitud, and recorded with Gerson Orjuela and the group Sr. Langosta Photos by Sue Vega
JAZZIN INTERVIEW:
Janice Maisonet is one of the most talented young musicians in the Puerto Rico Jazz scene.
JANICE MAISONET
Gema Corredera: Beyond the Music by Rosalia Ortiz Luquis
After her awarded solo albums "Derramando Luz" (2013) and "Feeling Marta" (2015), singer Gema Corredera will perform for the first time as a soloist in Puerto Rico on Saturday, June 18, 8:00pm, at the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan. With a new sound and accompanied by master pianist Roberto Carcasses, as musical director, Gema will present a unique concert that will include songs from their solo productions, as well as some old favorites from his well remembered career as a member of the acclaimed duo Gema and Pavel. Through the perfectionism of her interpretations and improvised scats, Gema Corredera has become the quintessential Cuban singer of the post-fílin generation. Her style, seasoned by the influences of his Cuban roots, as well as Brazilian music, opera and flamenco, incorporating elements of jazz fused with Cuban rumba, son, bolero and "fílin" creates a brilliant compilation of unique contemporary Cuban music. Her incredible vocal range and interpretive versatility is described by many as an intimate style, refined, original and seductive, able to captivate everyone who listens. Carcasses, for this occasion will travel with Cuba teachers musicians Oliver Valdés (drums) and Feliciano Arango (bass). As special guests, Puerto Rico, will be singer ILE (Ileana Cabra / PG13) and musicians Ricardo Pons and Daniel Diaz. The artistic direction will be in charge of the internationally renowned Cuban actress and director Beatriz Valdés. Tickets at (www.tcpr.com o 787-792-5000)
Jazz Fests in Puerto Rico The first 4 months of the year are the busiest in Puerto Rico in terms of Jazz music. Every Year starts with the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam at the Teatro Tapia. This event organized by trumpet player Humberto Ramírez is a two day fest that takes place the last week of January. This year started with the music of bassist Samuel Morales Quintet and saxophonist Ivan Renta. The second day a tribute to Cal Tjader was the first act, followed by the Humberto Ramírez Bohemia Jazz; bolero fused with jazz. Some of the best singers from Puerto Rico accompanied Humberto; Andy Montañez, Chicho Avellanet, Dagmar, Nydia Caro, Michelle Brava and Carola Ausbury. After the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam, the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico and the Interamerican University joins in the jazz celebration with their respective festivals. These fests present mostly music by the excellent Professors of these two institutions. One of the newest additions to the jazz events ii Puerto Rico is the Luquillo Beach Jazz Fest, last week of May and organized by Master trumpet player Charlie Sepulveda. This year saxophonist Jonathan Suazo was among the artists playing at the fest. Also as a special guest, singer Jon Secada paying tribute to the music of Bent Moré . But the most important jazz Fest in Puerto Rico and maybe in the caribbean is the Heineken Jazz Fest in the month of March. The 2016 edition was dedicated to music legend Ray Santos. This Fest always presents a combination of local and international musicians. From Puerto Rico these year acts were Henry Cole with his eclectic music on the first day followed by Pirulo Jazz Project. Charlie Sepulveda and Ralph Irizarry latin rhythms filled the night on the second date. And the fusion of jazz and bomba by saxophonist Furito Rios delighted the audience on Saturday night. The International artists for the 2016 edition were guitarist from Argentina Luis Salinas, cuban saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera, mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez and on the last night, the beautiful voice and swing of italian singer Roberta Gambarini. Photos by Wilbert Sostre
PUERTO RICO JAZZ FESTS
Papo Vázquez Spirit Warrior Trombonist Papo Vázquez album Spirit Warrior continues the great jazz Legacy of this Puerto Rican trombonist. Great melodic ballads, Goodbyes for you and In this Lovely Place are balanced with more complex Compositions like Bumbo con Bamba and Kerepakupai Vena. All compositions, Huraca’n; El Morro; Bumbo Con Bamba; The Little People; The Mole; No Goodbyes For You (Requiem For Hilton Ruiz); Salto Angel; Palo Incao; McCoy; In This Lonely Place; Roller Coaster; Despedida; Kerepakupai Vena, are delivered with Mastery and flawlesness by Papo Vázquez and Hits Mighty Pirates Troubadours.
Cafezz Sol Boricua The second album of Cafezz builds up on their debut album. Sol Boricua contains the diversity of sounds and styles delivered o their first album. It can be said this one is even more diverse and rich in sounds. So if you liked the contagious and Smooth sounds of Cafezz, you will love Sol Boricua and El Cafetal Folkloric feel, the classical mood of Antes que salga la luna, and Desde mi balcón, the cuban influences on Cortadito or the rock/funk on Just 4 Funk. A Project well concieved by Pianist Carmen Noemi, Bassist Egui Sierra and the group of wonderful musicians, Héctor Matos: drums; Pedro Guzman: Puerto Rican cuatro (1); Jose Robert Jimenez: flute (2, 4, 8) tenor sax (6); Christian Galindez: percussion (1, 4, 6); Waldemar reyes: percussion: 2, 5, 8, 10, 11); Norberto “Tiko” Ortiz: tenor sax ( 3, 9); Luis Amed Irizarry: oboe (5); Jorge Laboy: electric guitar (7); Joel torres: electric guitar (9); Bryan Muñoz: acoustic guitar (11); Edgardo Sierra Jr.: alto sax (11).
Gema Coredera. Feeling Marta
On Feeling Marta, singer Gema Corredera, Plays tribute to cuban Composer Marta Valdés. The result is a wonderful song collection filled with feeling and and delivered by the Soulful and Beautiful voice of Gema Corredera. Corredera jazz influenced phrasing along with her cuban heritage are a perfect combination for the music of Marta Valdés; Canción del año nuevo, No es preciso, and Aunque no te vi llegar. Pianist Roberto Carcasses was the Pianist and musical director, Crlos Ríos the Bassist, and Yipsi García the drummer on this highly reccomended album for all those feeling aficionados
CD REVIEWS