JONATHAN POWELL

MAMBO JAZZ PARTY

Label Circle 9

Jonathan Powell, trumpet/flugelhorn/composer/arranger; Camilo Molina, drums/timbales/Shekere/ clave/maracas/guiro; Marcos Lopez & Maros Torres, congas; Luisito Quintero, bongos/guiro/ campana/miscellaneous percussion; Nir Felder, electric guitar; Axel Tosca, piano/Fender Rhodes/ synthesizer; Manuel Valera, Fender Rhodes/synthesizer; Luques Curtis, bass; Louis Fouché, alto saxophone; Itai Kriss, flute; Doug Beavers & Jimmy Bosch, trombone; Jeremy Powell, tenor saxophone; Andrew Gould, alto saxophone; Ariacne Trujillo & Anthony Almonte, lead vocals; Jeremy Bosch, coros.

This is modernized Latin jazz, arranged and sometimes composed by esteemed trumpeter, Jonathan Powell.  The album opens with one of Powell’s original compositions called “Juancito,” arranged with horns moving harmonically together like lovers holding hands. At the same time, the percussive part of this arrangement is kicking strongly and furiously, thanks to Camilo Molina on drums, Marcos Lopez and Maros Torres on congas, Luisito Quintero on bongo and various other percussion instruments. Powell matches their intensity on his horn, leading the way like a Latin pied piper. Louis Fouché, on alto saxophone, flies around the arrangement like a wild wind. This piece also features Jimmy Bosch on trombone. The party has begun!

Powell has also composed “Hope” featuring the guitar of Nir Felder and the flute of Itai Kriss.  This arrangement is very Latin smooth jazz. I love the ‘breaks’ he inserts into the arrangement, getting the listener’s attention and changing the mood of the song.  It’s a nice touch.

Speaking of switching things up, on a tune called “You’re Everything” he adds a vocalist to the mix.  Ariacne Trujillo is the lead vocalist.  I enjoy the background singers whose voices blend like honey and tea as they harmonically chant their rhythmical message. This Mambo jazz Party album is just plain fun. Jonathan Powell is clearly an awesome arranger, a competent composer, and an outstanding trumpeter. Every piece of music in this production is a dazzling gem, set in a musical necklace of Latin culture and creativity.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

* * * * * * * * * *

BUY NOW

Subscribe to Our Newsletter