Label: Patois Records
Source: Allaboutjazz - James Nadal
The historical evolution of the Caribbean Basin and specifically the
Greater Antilles, has been over five hundred years in the making. The
triangular connections between Europe, Africa, and the New World with
its ensuing social and economic constraints, established the conditions
for an innovative culture in the region. The enculturation process led
to the creolization of the music and the creation of hybrid religions as
Santeria in Cuba, and Voudou in what was then Hispaniola
(Saint-Domingue), adding an intriguing dimension to musical development.
In an ambitious and panoramic endeavor, percussionist Michael Spiro, and trombonist Wayne Wallace, with supplemented roles as arrangers and producers, formed La Orquesta Sinfonietta, and present Canto América an engaging narrative of the Afro-Caribbean experience on a grand scale.
With this project encompassing such a broad scope, Spiro and Wallace decided to prepare themselves with a full string orchestra, wide-ranging horn section, and an array of vocalists, to augment their dependable Latin Jazz Quintet. Having an ample supply of over fifty assorted instruments and voices at their disposal, they were able to pick and choose from individual soloists to string quartets and big band scenarios, all enhanced by Spiro's propelling percussion so dominant in this production.
The preamble "Canto America (Amanecer/Dawn)" offers an opus to Osain, the Yoruba god of the forest, as female voices blend with strings for a soft approach, as when the Spanish caravels first arrived into the tranquil islands, which would soon be disrupted. There is a definite Afro-Cuban concentration evident throughout, and "La Propaganda De Hoy," is a nod to Los Van Van, the innovative Cuban ensemble which reenergized the dance craze on the island with its funk and timba variations. The strings are positioned in the forefront to engage with the percussion and brass, as the repetitious vocal chorus encourages the dancers. Read more...
With this project encompassing such a broad scope, Spiro and Wallace decided to prepare themselves with a full string orchestra, wide-ranging horn section, and an array of vocalists, to augment their dependable Latin Jazz Quintet. Having an ample supply of over fifty assorted instruments and voices at their disposal, they were able to pick and choose from individual soloists to string quartets and big band scenarios, all enhanced by Spiro's propelling percussion so dominant in this production.
The preamble "Canto America (Amanecer/Dawn)" offers an opus to Osain, the Yoruba god of the forest, as female voices blend with strings for a soft approach, as when the Spanish caravels first arrived into the tranquil islands, which would soon be disrupted. There is a definite Afro-Cuban concentration evident throughout, and "La Propaganda De Hoy," is a nod to Los Van Van, the innovative Cuban ensemble which reenergized the dance craze on the island with its funk and timba variations. The strings are positioned in the forefront to engage with the percussion and brass, as the repetitious vocal chorus encourages the dancers. Read more...
Canto América (Amanecer/Dawn)
La Propaganda De Hoy
Stardust
Afro
Blue
Hispaniola
El Médico
El Caldero De Ogun
Ochun’s Road
Canto
América (Puesta Del Sol/Sunset)
Michael Spiro: percussion/arrangements
Wayne Wallace: trombone,
euphonium, arrangements
Colin Douglas: trap drums, percussion
David Belove: electric bass
Murray Low: piano
Jeremy Allen: double
bass, fretless bass (1, 3, 7, 8, 9)
Jamaal Baptiste: piano (8)
Christian
Tumalan: piano (8)
Jesus Diaz: lead vocals (4, 7)
Mike Mixtaki: vocals
(4, 5, 7, 8)
Edgardo Cambon: vocals: (2, 3, 6)
Fito Reinoso: vocals:
(2, 3, 6)
John Santos: vocals: (2, 3, 6)
Cecilia Englehart: vox humana
(1, 8, 9)
Maria Marquez: vox humana (1, 8, 9)
Joe Galvin: vocals (3,
4, 8) percussion (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Kristin Olson: vocals: (3, 4, 8)
percussion (4, 5, 7, 8)
Nate Johnson: vocals (8)
John Calloway: flute
(2) solos ( 3, 4 )
Tom Walsh: alto sax (7,8)
Joe Anderson: trumpet,
ewi (5, 7, 8)
Brennan Johns: trombone, bass trombone, mellophone,
French horn (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Steven Banks: clarinet, bass clarinet (
(3, 7)
Gabe Young: oboe (1, 3, 7, 8, 9)
Marco Nunez flute, alto flute
(1, 3, 7, 8)
Matt Shugert: flute (3, 7)
Daniel Stern: principal violin (1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Charlene Kluegel: violin (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Maria Jose Romero: violin (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Nidhal Jebali: violin (1, 2,
3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Yoni Gertner : viola (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Tze-Ying Wu:
viola (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Etan Young: cello (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 7,
9)
Brady Anderson: cello (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Eric Juberg: alto sax (4)
Jonah Tarver: alto sax (4)
Sam Motter: tenor sax: (4)
Tonu Maas:
tenor sax (4)
Theo Simpson: bari sax (4)
Rachel Rodgers: flute (4)
Alexandra Signor: trumpet (4)
Joe Anderson: trumpet (4)
Iantheia
Calhoun: trumpet (4)
Cean Robinson: trumpet (4)
Kevin Wilson:
trumpet (4)
John Sorsen: trombone (4)
Brennan Johns: trombone (4)
Miro Sorber: trombone (4)
Richard Marshall: trombone (4)
Min Ju Kim:
violin (4, 8)
