On a Sunday evening in January 1990, a new kind of program was
being debuted on KLON 88.1 FM in Long Beach, California. "Jazz
on the Latin Side" with host Jose Rizo. Jose, a veteran
and talented broadcaster was embarking on a Latin Jazz journey
that would forever change the way Los Angeles listened to Latin
Jazz. Jose created a strong following and support from listeners
and
musicians alike.
Soon everyone
knew that if you wanted to check out, as Jose says "Chile
with your Jazz" or "Jazz to the beat of the Conga Drum"
KLON and Jazz on the Latin Side were the place to be. Having
had a strong background in broadcasting and an even stronger
love for Latin Jazz, Jose was well on his way to becoming a household
name in regards to Latin Jazz in Los Angeles and beyond. Featuring
all the greats from the genre Jose created a renewed
interest in this in this wonderful and captivating music and
brought a spark back to Los Angeles radio.
Ten years have passed and Jose and the program continue to
delight and bring Latin Jazz fans a familiar place to call home
on Friday nights. To commemorate and celebrate ten years of Latin
Jazz on the air at KLON Jose, assembled a virtual who's who list
of Los Angeles based Latin Jazz musicians an "All-Star band"
if you will. If you have heard Jose Rizo's show you already know
that Jose is a smooth-talking, knowledgeable, respected Latin
Jazz DJ but as you will see in this historical recording, he
is a talented composer as well.
This incredible disc features 5 original compositions by Jose
created for this recording and performance. Can you imagine the
best Latin Jazz musicians in Los Angeles in one place performing?
Better yet, this incredible evening of music was recorded to
share forever more. The tunes on this hot disc definitely mix
some spicy Chile with Jazz check out the exquisite " Mujer
Chicana" dedicated to Jose's wife Leticia. A masterful arrangement
and beautiful melody will have this tune go down as one of the
great ones. Another favorite is the up-tempo Mambo "Shortcuts"
listen to the incredible work of the horns as they set the tone
for the tune. Another tune that will get you up and moving is
the dancing gem "Mamacita Caravana" which by the way,
is dedicated to Carol Jaye, who is the coordinator for the now
very popular Latin Jazz Club Caravans that Jose and KLON put
together.
You'll want to get up let loose and shake your Maracas to
this Son Montuno without a doubt. "Arabian Moods" a
6/8 gem, showcases the talents of master conguero Francisco Aguabella
who's opening solo on the Quinto drum (High-pitched conga) will
demonstrate, why he is regarded as a master. The soft and mellow
"In a whisper" is a delightful tune that features some
gorgeous horn work from Justo Almario on Tenor Sax and Ramon
Flores on
Trumpet. The catchy bass intro by Rene Camacho will certainly
grab your attention. As a close to this Vol. 1 edition, Jose
chose to have all these great musicos stretch out on the Israel
Lopez Cachao classic "Descarga Cachao." This tune is
exactly as advertised a Descarga - a Latin Jazz Jam session with
superb solos by Rene Camacho on bass, Francisco Aguabella on
Congas, Ramon Banda on Timbales, Sal Cracchiolo on Trumpet, Arturo
Velasco on
Trombone, Francisco Torres on Trombone, Justo Almario on Tenor
and Soprano Saxophones and if that isn't enough for you some
inspired coro's and Maraca playing by "Mr. Latin Jazz"
the great Poncho Sanchez. Wow what a line up uh?
The 1960's and 1970's were the years that Latin music fans
came to know the fabulous Fania All-stars and Alegre All-stars.
These two famed all-stars
congregations created historic and classic recordings. Still
today, some years later these recordings are some of the most
cherished and talked about in Latin music. In my opinion, now
in the new millennium it is time for Latin Jazz fans all over
the world to know the Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars. All the
great Latin Jazz musicians of Los Angeles coming together to
create a historic evening of music.
What makes this recording even more special is that these
leaders came together to express their thanks and respect for
the Latin Jazz DJ that has worked so very hard to create a home
on the radio for this magical music. That was just Vol 1. , I
can't wait for Vol.2., Vol.3, and so on. Go out and buy this
CD any self-respecting Latin Jazz music collection would not
and could not be complete with out it. Take it from me you and
your maracas will not be disappointed.
By Erik Chico Manqueros
Host & Producer of The Latin
Style of Jazz and Contributing writer
Latin Style Magazine, LatinJazzClub.com
