If you’re in a romantic mood or wish to be, you’re well advised to put on the new release from alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo, El Arte del Bolero, turn down the lights, and . . . Well, you know what to do, right?
The latest release from alto saxophonist and Puerto Rico cultural ambassador Miguel Zenón, the stunning Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera, pays homage to a Puerto Rican cultural and musical icon, known affectionately as Maelo by his fans, whose originality and improvisational genius enriched and extended the bomba and plena traditions. The album features songs from Rivera’s repertoire, focusing on the Great Latin American Songbook through the lens of jazz. Zenón brings his remarkable quartet—with Luis Perdomo on piano, Matt Penman on bass (subbing for Hans Glawischnig), and Henry Cole on drums—to the Gig Performance Space in Santa Fe on November 13 and the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque on November 14. Musically Speaking had the opportunity to speak to Zenón about the project.
Continue reading
Luis Perdomo, Spike Wilner, and Leslie Pintchik, decidedly different pianists, have at least one thing in common: each has recently released an engaging new album and finds an approach to their instrument to match their artistic vision. Continue reading