Search - Bobby Sanabria :: Big Band Urban Folktales

Exciting, energetic , intoxicating Nuyorican Soul.

jazz4thenight | Florida | 08/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sanabria is a living link to the great Afro-Cuban jazz tradition. He's played with just about everyone, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera, Charles McPherson, Mongo Santamaria, Chico O'Farrill and Mario Bauza. He's also a Grammy-nominated solo artist and a powerful force in bringing the Afro-Cuban tradition into the 21st century.

After graduating from the Berklee College of Music, Sanabria became the drummer and timbale player with one of his boyhood heroes, the late, great Mongo Santamaria.

In addition to leading his own successful bands, he went on perform and record with numerous world class artists, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente and many, many others.

With his big band he has released an album wich blends the sounds of Afro-Cuban, samba, blues and jazz in one package full of fine orchestrations and heavy percussive beats.

The personnel is a mixture of talented youths and experienced virtuosic veterans like tenorist Peter Brainin and trombonist Chris Washburne in all comprising a twenty two-piece orchestra including those who provide only vocals.

It's energetic, exciting, restless...

For those who like the Latin jazz sound, this disc will have you shaking your hips and moving your shoulders to Sanabria's explosive percussions and the band's powerful expressions.

The opening track is an original tune by trumpeter Michael Phillip Mossman entitled "57th St. Mambo", a hot, brassy number featuring the trumpeter (who wrote the track), and the leader on appreciable solos. One can immediately feel the energy and the exuberance of the band...

The music mellows out just a bit for that wonderful classic "Since I Fell For You", with vocals provided by Chareneé Wade in a tune that develops as a beautiful Latin ballad.

The following track, "D Train", is another percussive big band burner with solos from trombonist Tim Sessions, trumpeter Andrew Neesley, and Jeff Lederer on the tenor.

The other track with lead vocals is the classic "Besame Mucho", with the vocals by Hiram "El Pavo" Remon and accompanied by a Brainin solo on soprano and Dave Miller on trombone.

Another favourite track is the Brazilian samba, by the the renowned Hermeto Pascoal, "O Som Do Sol", arranged as a big band number with a slew of solos.

Another track by Pascoal "Obrigado Mestre" has a moody treatment.

Bobby Sanabria, who performance on the drums and percussions is masterful throughout this album, takes on the vibes with a terrific solo on his own chart, "Blues For Booty Shakers".

Definitely one of the best Latin jazz/big band albums to be released this year, "Big Band Urban Folktales" is full of fire and energy delivering an impressive big band punch.

Bobby Sanabria comes through with another exciting performance as leader and musician further cementing his reputation as one of the best percussionist in the jazz world.

My highlight are : "Since I fell For You", "D Train" and "The Grand Wazoo" by Frank Zappa.

I am loving it.

You will love it and while listening and dancing to it, you will go with your mind and soul to the lights, colours and vibes of Ocean Drive of South Beach....

"

The latin jazz record of the year.

Alberto Egoavil | 07/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just the day I return to Lima , he played in manhattan (Jul 17). this record is FIRE...like Live & in clave, this year bobby must win the latin jazz Grammy."