KEMUEL ROIG

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Life in Music

Kemuel Roig, solo piano.

On this solo piano album, Kemuel Roig offers us music by Paul McCartney, Jimmy Rowles, Cole Porter, Joni Mitchell, Billie Holiday, Rodgers & Hart, and Michel Legrand. Originally from Cuba, he adds a few Latin and South American tunes for good measure.

As a child of four, Roig began dabbling at the piano.  By age eight, the young man was studying classical piano and percussion with a passion, enrolled at the National Vocational Art School. While he was still attending high school, his family moved from Cuba to Miami. At aged fifteen, young Roig became a working musician. A year later, he discovered jazz and landed a gig touring with Arturo Sandoval from 2010 to 2018.  Next, he joined guitarist Al DiMeola on the road. He has also worked with notable jazz cats like Brian Lynch, Chris Potter, Randy Brecker and Giovanni Hidalgo.  As a leader of his own group, Kemuel Roig has recorded seven albums.

Roig opens his album with a Paul McCartney tune called “Junk.” I enjoyed his arrangement of the song that most jazz singers are challenged to perform called “The Peacocks” by Jimmy Rowles.  The haunting melody is full of unexpected intervals and after an original introduction, Kemuel Roig addresses that unusual melody in a sensitive, pensive way. His piano’s upper register echoes the melodic notes like a music box.  I can see the ballet dancer twirling to this tune as Roig plays. His interpretation of “The Peacocks” quickly becomes one of my favorites.

Kemuel Roig earned his master’s degree from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. With each song, he offers us is a heartfelt statement that tugs at my emotions.  His wonderful piano mastery grabs me by the ears, thumb and fingers pulling me into the arrangements. I am held attentive and captivated with each uniquely creative song interpretation.

His arrangement of “Solamente Una Vez” follows, both sincere and pensive.  His long, legato lines stream like colorful banners across the sky when he plays Cole Porter’s “I Love You.”  The familiar “Bésame Mucho” begins staccato, then explores a counterpoint of right and left hands. They rhythmically keep the time, while melodically enriching the song with both hands having their own conjunctive ideas.

I could listen to Kemuel Roig all day and night.  His interpretive ideas and sincerity expressed on the 88-keys is both accomplished and emotional. He inspires with his sophisticated and creative arrangements and impresses with his technique. His music touches my heart.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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