JUAN PASTOR’S CHINCHANO

MEMORIEAS

Calligram Records

Juan Pastor, drums/cajón; Stu Mindeman, piano; Matt Ulery, bass; Dustin Laurenzi, tenor saxophone; Gian Luiggi Cortez Mejia, congas/cajón/bell/cajita; Jose Pepe Mantero, castanets.

Juan Pastor and his Chinchano group builds the opening tune with the tenor saxophone of Dustin Laurenzi joyfully dancing above the percussive drum beat of Juan Pastor and Gian Luiggi Cortez Mejia. This is a tune called “Celinda,” deeply rooted in Afro-Peruvian culture. The piano solo of Stu Mindeman is bright and joyful. This arrangement has a fast waltz feel, leaning into ¾ with improvised saxophone and piano solos.

The Chinchano group was founded in 2014 when Pastor decided to bring together Afro-Peruvian rhythms fused with jazz. From the very first gathering of musicians, pianist Stu Mindeman has been by Pastor’s side. Percussionist Gian Luiggi Cortez Mejia adds brilliant energy and rhythms to the production.  Each member delivers their own distinctive voice to the music.

Pastor describes it as “Learning from both cultures, with each member adding their distinctive voice to this exploration.”

He’s used various bassists over the years and several different horn players, but adding Matt Ulery’s bass and Dustin Laurenzi’s tenor sax to this project seems to have brought perfect balance to the group’s sound.

“Entre el Humo” is percussive driven. It makes me want to kick off my shoes and dance barefoot in my garden. The arrangement brings flavors of freedom. Their percussion energy is infectious.

The title tune is somber and slows the energy down to an Afro-ballad pace. Still, the drums are king.  The percussion pushes the tune ahead like a slow-moving, determined freight train. I found the arrangement on “Human Touch” to be intriguing. Matt Ulery is featured on bass, singing the melody in concert with Pastor’s drums. This tune has a taste of the Middle East mixed into it.

Another energy-driven tune is “Qué Frio.”  I enjoyed Ulery’s electric bass solo.  This is followed by a display of Pastor and his percussion players soaking up the spotlight on “Descarga Galáctica.”  Throughout this album, Pastor demonstrates his mastery, not only on the drums but also of the cajón, as well as being a creative and competent composer.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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