BOBBY SANABRIA MULTIVERSE BIG BAND

ARSENIO AND BEYOND, LIVE AT THE BRONX MUSIC HALL

Jazzheads

An exciting percussion solo opens this first song by composer, Arsenio Rodriguez. It introduces us to the rich Cuban culture that blended African rhythms and chants into their cultural music.  It became what is known today as Afro-Cuban jazz. Bobby Sanabria’s Multiverse Big Band album is bursting with culture and excitement.

“The true Father of Mambo and Son Montuno, without Arsenio Rodriguez there is no salsa. There is no Afro-Cuban jazz, and many would even argue, rock and funk,” affirmed Bobby Sanabria with sincerity.

“Although his music is timeless, I’ve always envisioned it being interpreted in a big band setting with modern, progressive jazz-oriented arrangements.  That vision has now finally become a reality in the recording you are holding in your hands,” Sanabria continues writing in his press package.

The live audience agrees, exploding with massive applause after this opening tune completes. Titled “Tumba Y Bongo” it features Mathew Gonzalez on bongos and Oreste Abrantes on congas. There is an exciting solo by guest artist and trumpeter Max Darsché using his plunger mute. Also, Kali Rodriguez-Peña adds his own spice to the production on trumpet.  It’s a great way to begin this album, spitting Latin fire, excitement and energy into the universe.

The Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band was recorded “live” in the South Bronx, where Cuban composer, musician and bandleader, Arsenio Rodriguez once lived. Many claim that Arsenio contributed to the development of the son montuno.  This is the basic root of modern-day salsa. He may also be the one influencer who created the mambo.  In the 1940s and 1950s, this brilliant composer and rhythm master composed almost two hundred songs.  Although he was legally blind since the age of seven, his musical talents transformed his life. He soared into popularity.  His music was embraced both in his Latin American home and worldwide. Over a twelve-year period, the talented man recorded over a hundred of his own compositions for RCA Victor.  He moved to Los Angeles in 1970.

Bobby Sanabria and his awesome Multiverse Big Band do great justice interpreting the music of Arsenio Rodriquez and also Tito Puente’s “Mambo Diablo” and Takao Heisho’s “La Fruta.” They blow the ceiling off the New Bronx Music Hall, where this music was presented in-concert.  Bobby Sanabria once lived quite near this concert hall, so it has personal significance to him. He is also the co-Artistic Director along with Elena Martinez of this respected hall.

Seven out of nine songs on this album celebrate the amazing talents of Arsenio Rodriguez, along with the super talented individual musicians who make up the Multiverse Big Band.

On “La Vida Es Un Sueño,” I am impressively entertained by the scat solo of vocalist Jennifer Jade Ledesna and the emotional voice of Gerardo Contino who duets with Jennifer. This tune builds with sweet, romantic tension, utilizing their impressive voices. Andrew Gould presents a joyful alto saxophone solo.

These arrangements are fresh and feature the impressive work of Jeremy Fletcher, Marty Sheller, Andrew Neesley, Danny Rivera, Bobby Sanabria and Kyle Athade. Sometimes, each horn section was responsible for arranging their own unique parts. Supervision of all arrangements, the rhythm section, and the vocal arrangements was by bandleader, Bobby Sanabria.

Here is an album of pure enjoyment and excellence. Put on your dancing shoes and get busy!

BOBBY SANABRIA MULTIVERSE BIG BAND: Bobby Sanabria, drums/whistle/wind chimes/backup vocals; musical director; Darwin Noguera, piano; Leo Traversa, bass; Benjamin Lapidus, electric Cuban Tres/electric guitar. PERCUSSION: Oreste Abrantes, congas: Matthew Gonzales, bongo; Takao Heisho, aux percussion. SAXOPHONES: David Dejesus, alto & soprano saxophones/flute; Andrew Gould, alto sax; Peter Brainin & Jeff Lederer, tenor saxes; Danny Rivera, baritone saxophone; Gabrielle Garo, flute. TRUMPETS; Nate Eklund, Matt Hilgenberg, Kali-Rodriguez Peña, Andrew Neesley, Max Darché. TROMBONES: Dave Miller, Noah Bless, Armando Vergara, Chris Washburne. Ben Sutin, violin. VOCALS: Gerardo Contino, Jennifer Jade Ledesna, Oreste Abrantes.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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