Jazz for aficionados
One of my favorite congeros, and one who gained prominence in the 80s is Poncho Sanchez. To my ears, a distinctive approach to Latin-Jazz fusion; a "fusion" which hasn't been looked at much so far: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GcYwjio8E-M |
Congueros!! Now we're talkin' my language!;) Poncho Sanchez is a direct link to the great Cal Tjader. He played with him and continues to this day playing that West Coast style of Latin Soul Jazz. The late Clare Fischer also was an alumni of Cal Tjader who very much kept that 'Tjader' style going after Cal passed away. One thing though, I wouldn't ever categorize Sanchez' music as Latin Fusion. I can easily rattle off lists of recordings that can be categorized as such, but Poncho wouldn't be on any of those lists! The best, most intense, and a personal favorite would be the American debut live record from the Cuban supergroup; Irakere. Of course, the marquee players in that band were Chucho Valdes, Arturo Sandoval, & Paquito D'Rivera but every member of that band was a monsta! I own so many records by most of the members of Irakere! VAYA!!!;) |
Chazro, you are, of course, correct about the use of the term "Fusion". Notice I didn't capitalize "fusion" along with Latin-Jazz and used the term to mean "marriage". I know exactly what you mean and agree it's best to not use the term loosely. One of the things that I have always found interesting about Poncho's records is that the horn players are guys who come mainly out of the jazz tradition. Gary Foster, one of my favorite LA reed players is often featured. Not a criticism at all, and a generalization to be sure, but the horn sections on his records tend to have a less aggressive sound than Latino horn sections, and the blowing tends to have a more fluid feel. I think this works very well with the band's rhythmic vibe. This is not a criticism of either Latino or non-Latino horn players, just an acknowledgment of a generally different approach to playing that gives the music a different feeling or flavor and is one of the many subtle musical choices a band leader makes that makes listeners react one way or another to certain music without the listener necessarily being consciously aware of it. |
