Republic of Jazz: Ignacio Berroa Trio - Straight Ahead From Havana (August 5, 2017)

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Ignacio Berroa Trio - Straight Ahead From Havana (August 5, 2017)

New Release

Ignacio Berroa Trio

Straight Ahead From Havana

“... the only Latin drummer in the world in the history of American music that intimately knows both worlds: his native Afro Cuban music as well as Jazz...”

—Dizzy Gillespie

Ignacio Berroa-drums, Martin Bejerano-piano,

Josh Allen-Upright Bass, Lowell Ringel-Upright Bass (tracks 6 & 10)

Special Guests:

Conrado “Coky” Garcia percussion on tracks 5 & 7, Ruben Blades lead vocal on track 5

Artist: IGNACIO BERROA TRIO

Title: STRAIGHT AHEAD FROM HAVANA

Artist Website: www.ignacioberroa.com

Label: Codes Drum Music

Release Date: AUGUST 5, 2017

UPC Code: 040232590801

Track Listing: Alma Con Alma; La Tarde; Drume Negrita; No Te Importa Saber; Negro De Sociedad; Deja Que Siga Solo; Los Tres Golpes; Si Me Pudieras Querer; Nuestras Vidas; Me Recordaras.

There’s an undeniable connection between music and culture, but maybe sometimes we imagine that bond to be a little too strict. While specific musical elements rose from distinct regions of the world, it’s unrealistic to put those pieces into boxes.

There’s a natural ebb and flow between musicians that results in a flexible exchange of cultural elements, breaking down restrictions and making music a bit more maleable. We can’t easily describe a country’s music by pointing to a few musical elements; that’s an over simplification that doesn’t reflect the modern musical state of any location. In today’s world, cultural has been re-contextualized through a variety of perspectives, making connections readily apparent.

Drummer Ignacio Berroa has embraced this idea of cultural connections and explores the concept on his new album, Straight Ahead From Havana. On the recording, he takes standards from the Cuban repertoire and re-imagines them in a straight-ahead jazz context. Berroa has a history of exploring this connection, most notably during his time with jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. The iconic trumpet player embraced every cultural element in music, viewing them all as equals while respecting their differences. Berroa has carried that into his own work as a leader on fantastic albums such as Codes and Heritage and Passion. Today’s video features a sneak peek at Straight Ahead From Havana, letting us take a look at Berroa’s outstanding playing in the studio, where he shows us music transcending cultural elements. —CHIP BOAZ The Latin Jazz Corner

AVAILABLE FROM: Amazon • CDBaby • iTunes

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