It
is apparent that Jazz musician McCoy Tyner runs a parallel line
that encompasses rhythm derived from Africa and extensive harmonic
textures extending over 40 years of mastery on the piano. Considered
a giant amongst giants of Jazz, McCoy Tyner's unique percussive
style on the piano has been emulated by many journey-Jazzmen
since the 1970's. Before that, he was already writing the history
books hence his association with another giant of Jazz: John
Coltrane.
Early in his career while in Philadelphia, McCoy Tyner was
attracted to African cultures of the American Diaspora. He also
became interested in percussion instruments and African dance.
No doubt that this connection to a hybrid of African rhythms
would manifest later in his performing style. In 1981, all roads
led him to an impromptu Latin Jazz encounter which was mainly
spurred by the defection of saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera from
Cuba, and also included other notable Latin musicians such as
drummer Ignacio Berroa and percussionist Daniel Ponce. This recording
project was titled ""La Leyenda De La Hora" (The
Legend of the Hour) incorporating his original Latin influenced
arrangements featuring strings section accompaniment. While Tyner
has in recent years toured intensively with a small Latin-based
Jazz ensemble, almost two decades later, he returns to the Latin
Jazz arena with this recording titled "MyCoy Tyner and his
Latin All-Stars."
This recording serves a delectable palette of Jazz Latino
fusion featuring a commendable group of musicians--including:
Johnny Almendra on timbales, saxophonist Gary Bartz, drummer
Ignacio Berroa, Giovanni Hidalgo on percussion, Claudio Roditi
on trumpet and flugehorn, bassist Avery Sharpe, trombonist Steve
Turre and flutist Dave Valentin.
The opening track, "Festival in Bahia" is a remake
of an original Tyner composition featured features Valentin's
fancy flute work. McCoy's signature sound blends well throughout
and adding some invigorating improvisation. The ensemble remains
cohesive and poise with pulsating energy. Other tracks include
some classic Jazz standards like "Poinciana", Mongo
Santamaria's "Afro Blue" and Kenny Dorham's Blue Bossa.
Another Tyner composition, "A Song for Love" moves
moderately to a cha cha rhythm with modal nuances. Moving fast
and furious is Tyner's composition "La Havana Sol"
(sun of Havana). An Avery Sharpe composition, "We Are Our
Fathers' Sons" featuring some interaction between Sharpe's
bass and Hidalgo's conga drum and a soli by bass and trombone.
This CD offers good variety and some intense improvisation.
Hidalgo and Almendra are spectacular. McCoy Tyner is clairvoyant
in his expression of Latin Jazz rhythms. An immaculate performance
by McCoy Tyner and the Latin Jazz All-Stars.
review by John Davis
JDavis@latnjazzclub.com
Contributing writer
LatinJazzClub Magazine
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