Search - David Sanchez :: Coral

A new direction for Sanchez

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 08/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a ground-breaking departure for Sanchez who has gathered around him a basic quartet of Edsel Gomez (piano),Adam Cruz (drums) and either John Benitez or Ben Street on Bass.He plays a beautifully controlled Tenor Sax on all the tracks. He's selected a wide range of different styles from Latin music and chosen to have string arrangements, sympathetically played by members the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. To this basic mix he's added Miguel Zenon on Alto sax (tracks 3,4 & 8) and Pernell Saturnino on percussion for tracks 1,2,3,4,6 &8.The real fascination is the way in which he has mixed material, some of the compositions,like the A.C.Jobim tracks, familiar to me, and others less well known.He also includes two self composed tracks (6 & 8) which fit perfectly into what he is trying to achieve.The ensemble playing is a delight, and the arrangements never overwhelm the basic quartet. My own two favourite tracks are "Eu sei que vou te amar" which envelopes the listener with sound, and "Vexilla Regis" which has some wonderful playing by Sanchez. It's not an album that gives everything immediately, but marks another move forward in the career of one of my favourite tenor sax players. This one may suprise you! Highly recommended."

David Sanchez muestra su amor para la musica

Marty Nickison II | Austintown, OH | 03/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Clifford Brown. George Shearing. Charlie "Yardbird" Parker. William "Bill" Evans. What do all of these musicians have in common? At one point in each musician's career, they have done albums with symphonies or string choirs. Since the 1950's, the marriage of the jazz combo and string section has lead to some of the most influential recordings in jazz heritage. Who can deny the power of the albums of "Charlie Parker with Strings"? . . . . who can deny the popularity of the "Satin" series of Captiol Records recordings done with the George Shearing Quartet? Either to your liking or disapproval, string section/combo jazz recordings are here to stay.



One play of this album left a definite impression on me. First, the DSD mastering of this disc makes the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra come alive. I haven't heard such a warm recording of strings since my late grandmother approached the old Dual turntable with a Shearing and strings recording. To this day, I play them on a VPI Hw19-IV/Rega 250/Grado/Lehmann Black Cube.



David's rapid-fire approach to solos and his ability to improvise fugues and passacaglias in his solos didn't stop on this recording. David is a bit paced on this recording versus Obsession or The Departure; however, his playing is still rich is his Hispanic lineage.



He takes these classics (and a few of his own tunes) and turns them into suites for sextet and orchestra. With a top notch band and the Prague Philharmonic in A+ form, what you get in this album is a celebration of music with the mastering that it deserves.



I have little doubt any jazz fan will dislike this recording. It's part strings/combo; it's part latin jazz sextet; it's part symphonic poem; and it's all music. While almost impossible to give you a related recording due to this innovative approach, I guarentee that this is something you will like and you never heard before.



With the information above, I give you a robust celebration of music from different countries and time periods. I welcome you to listen to David Sanchez as he documents his mastery of music. This is not jazz, this is not classical, and this is not Afro-Cuban. This is music; the true test of a music lover.

"

Sánchez and Strings

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 06/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saxophonist David Sánchez scores again with this beautifully crafted set. He sticks to tenor this time round (he usually plays both tenor and soprano) and reviewers who have mentioned his phrasing are spot on. His phrasing is exquisite, his tone lovely and warm. Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón joins him on three of the tunes but he only adds colour and doesn't solo.



Edsel Gomez on piano, Ben Street & John Benitez on bass, Adam Cruz on drums and Parnell Saturnino on percussion complete the rhythm section and while they all give stellar performances, this album for me is all about The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Carlos Franzetti. I just love it when jazz is married with orchestration. Other saxophonists have tried this idea in the past (For some reason when I listen to this I'm particularly reminded of 1960's "Cool Velvet: Stan Getz and Strings", one of my favourite Getz albums) but it's definitely something new for Sánchez.



And it works. From the sweeping ballads like the opener, "Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar", to the samba-esque "Matitia Perê" to the very thoughtful, almost classical "Panambi" (which features just Sánchez solo with the orchestra), this is one very satisfying album. Sánchez says on the inner-sleeve notes that he wanted to highlight some "important Latin American composers whose work reflected the Impressionistic period" yet were still "contemporary". He's purposely chosen more obscure songs by people like Jobim, De Moraces, Ginastera and Villa-Lobos but there's one by Carlos Franzetti and two by Sánchez himself.



I think he's done a great job. Highly recommended.

"