Expanding on the Tito Puente tradition
The music of Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band
The Other Side - El Otro Lado
According to Chris Washburne whose
raw sound on the trombone brings back memories of the late great
Barry Rogers back from the early recordings from Eddie Palmieri
& La Perfecta, this session had extra meaning as it is a
tribute to the King of Latin music, Tito Puente. Chris had originally
planned to feature Tito on this his second recording for Jazz
Heads records label. Unfortunately, as the band entered the studio
to begin recording, El Gran Maestro passed on. This inspired
Chris to change directions and make this recording a personal
tribute featuring Tito Puente.
An accomplished musician both as a straight ahead jazzman
and the Latin side, Chris Washburne has worked with some top
names like Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill, Tito Nieves, Marc
Anthony, La India, Oscar D'Leon, Celia Cruz and Jaki Byard and
the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Just as the music of Tito Puente was exciting and experimental
at times so is the music of Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band.
"Titorama" is an original tune penned by Chris and
that attempts to capture Puente's legacy with some zesty horn
phrases featuring a duel between trumpeters Ray Vega and John
Walsh. The percussion section explodes with high energy highlighted
by a very TP style timbale solo from Bobby Sanabria. "Mamborama"
is a Puente original that features Chris with his trombone and
grooving bass solo from Harvie Swartz.
A tune that was originally recorded by Billie Holiday, "Deep
Song" is arranged with an interesting mix of the Elegua
rhythm, haunting ballad and kicks into gear as a tasty Guarija..que
Sabroso! Written by John Walsh "Methane Mambo", features
a percussive piano solo from Barry Olsen and a crisp and cool
bongo solo from Renato Thoms. The adventurous "The Other
Side" explores the progressive side of Jazz Latino. A flavored
laid-back cha cha/mambo out, "New Beginning" is an
original tune from bassist Harvie Swartz with Ray Vega adding
some nice touches on Flugelhorn complimented by some vamping
piano groove. "Now what?" was written by Chris as a
question to Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani adding a tap-dance
solo from Max Pollak.
"Caonao" is from the TP book and allows the band
a chance to get into some free form style riffs. One of Tito
Puente's classics "Hong Kong Mambo" from the 1960's
is redone complete with Korean Gong work produce by Maiken Derno
with a spirited Marimba solo by Barry Olsen. Overall, a commendable
job by Chris the SYOTOS Band. This recording is full of emotion
and is a joyful celebration of the Tito Puente musical legacy.
For more information on Chris Washburne visit www.jazzcorner.com/washburne
or www.jazzheads.com
By Erik "Chico" Manqueros
Contributing writer LatinJazzClub.com Magazine
Email: EManqueros@LatinJazzClub.com
Host & Producer of The Latin
Style of Jazz
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