Jazzin Magazine nov 2015 jan - 2016

Jazzin' ISSUE 07/ November 2015- January 2016

Puerto Rico Jazz Guide

Jazzin' Interview: Puerto Rico Jazz Master Charlie SepĂşlveda

Where to go to Jazz Up your Night in Puerto Rico

The Best of 2015 Jazz Fest s

Photo by Carmen Sepulveda

Jazzin' Publisher & Editor: Wilbert Sostre wsostre@gmail.com Contributing Photographers: Carmen Sepulveda (Charlie Sepulveda Photos) Wilbert Sostre (Jazz Fest Photos) Contributing Writers: Wilbert Sostre Subscriptions: Puerto Rico & USA 787-942-9772 1 year (4 issues) $5.00 Jazzin' Magazine is published 4 times per year by Jazz and Bossa Media. PO Box 51062, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico 00950

Jazzin Magazine Interview: Charlie Sepulveda Jazzin: Tell me about your beginnings in music.

Charlie Sepulveda: I started in music by chance. I was accompanying Juancito Torres nephew, who played trumpet and another guy who played saxophone to the Escuela Libre de MĂşsica in Caguas.

When I was there, the school Director asked me if I wanted to play an instrument. I say yes, and at the end the other two guys quit and I continued playing trumpet. I was 12 Jazzin: When was your first experience?

CS: I played in the Big Bands at school. There we played some jazz. But professionally I started when I was 15, playing Salsa.

I worked with Chamaco Rivera and Willie Rosario. I also was part of Batacumbele, when Juancito Torres could not play I was his substitute. From there I went to the Apollo Sound.

When I was around 18 I started playing with Bobby Valentin.

That was my Alma Mater in terms of orchestras.

Jazzin: Did you recorded with those orchestras?

Yes. I recorded with Chamaco, with La Masacre, with the Apollo, with Raphy Levitt and with Bobby.

Then I left Bobby, and went to New York. And my first show was at the Blue Note, playing with Ray Barretto. And I also recorded with Barretto. My first work with Palmieri was when I was already studying Jazz at the City College in New York. I studied for about a year at the Music Conservatory here in Puerto Rico before I moved to New York. There I recorded with Tito Puente and also with Dizzy in the album To Diz with Love.

My first Tour with Dizzy was with his octet. The brass section was David Sánchez, Steve Turre and me. Ignacio Berroa was also part of the group.

When in New York I also worked with people outside the jazz Scene, like Talking Heads, Paul Simon, David Byrne, I recorded in soundtracks.

Jazzin: When did you listen jazz for the first time?

Charlie Sepulveda: Well, I was born in New York. And there you could listen and watch jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong on tv.

And I admired him from back then.

Jazzin: Other early influences beside Louis Armstrong?

CS: CS:When I was already playing trumpet there was this guy in Caguas. He has a jazz collection and told me I got to listen to Lee Morgan, and Clifford Brown. From there I started to buy cds from Art Blakey, the Brecker Brothers, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis.

Jazzin: When you came back to Puerto Rico?

CS: Around 1996. But I started my jazz Project, New Arrival, back in 1989. In my group were David Sánchez, Adam Cruz, Bassist Carlos Torres, Richie Flores. Ed Simon and Danilo Pérez also worked with me at the beggining. The concept was a Hard Bop Quintet but with congas. Influenced by people like Hank Mobley, Kenny Dorham, etc.

The second album was Algo Nuestro. On that one Andy González also recorded. 1996 I'm back in Puerto Rico and founded The Turnaround with Gabriel Rodríguez on bass, Héctor Veneros, and Paoli Mejias. Later, around 2006, Tiko Ortiz and Raul Maldonado joined the group. With the the Turnaround we have to Grammy nominations.

Jazzin: How is the process when you are composing? The Melody comes first, or the rhythm?

CS: Usually melodies, then I harmonized them, and then translate them to the paper. When I listen to the melodies in my head I hear the arrangements; harmonies, rhythms, changes.

Jazzin: Next projects? CS: We just finished an album with Eddie Palmieri, and are in the process of recording an album with Jon Secada. A tribute to the music of Benny Moré.

One of the best shows of 2015. Buena Vista Social Club in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Jazz Jam 2015 turned out to be a great year for jazz in Puerto Rico, starting with the first major event; the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam at the Tapia Theatre in old San Juan. this event organized by trumpeter and composer Humberto Ramirez, brought us the music of saxophonist Victor Roman, trumpeter Luis Aquino and as a special guest, Master saxophonist David Sanchez. All this in an well deserved homage to legend Ray Santos and his music.

Universidad Interamericana Jazz Fest The Jazz Fest at Universidad Interamericana is organized by the Popupular Music Department from this University. Every year, the music faculty, plus some special guests bring the gift of jazz music to the students and the general public,. The festival usually takes place in March at the Universidad Interamericana Theatre, and is totally free.

Music Conservatory Jazz Fest Another great fest organized by a University is the Music Conservatory Jazz Fest. Some of the biggest names in jazz music from Puerto Rico either are former students of the Conservatory or has been Professors there.

David Sanchez, Eddie Gomez and Charlie Sepulveda, are part of the Faculty at the Music Consevatory. On this year edition of the fest Eddie Gomez play live and bassist John Benitez was a special guest at some of the master classes that are always part of the fest.

THE BEST OF

Carolina Jazz Festival: Some of the best jazz musicians come to these fest every year in the month of August. In 2015 some of the names who delighted the public were David Sanchez, Brenda Hopkins, Frankie Perez, Janice Maisonet. and Jose M. Lugo.

2015

PR HEINEKEN

JAZZ FEST 2015