LUIS MUÑOZ

ARBOL

Independent Label

Luis Muñoz, drums/percussion/piano/synthesizers/composer/arranger; Adam Asarnow, piano; Evan Arredondo, acoustic bass; Randy Tico, electric bass; Daniel Zimmerman, electric guitars; Gary Love, soprano saxophone; Lois Mahalia, vocals.

In 2025, Luiz Muñoz was advised he needed a new heart valve and an aortic stent. He went in for that operation and suffered a stroke during their intervention. That changed his life drastically.

Two weeks after his operation on April 3, 2025, something extraordinary happened.  Munoz managed to drag himself to the piano. For the next ten days, he poured his heart and soul into composing seventeen new tunes.  This record is a result of that creative explosion.

His album opens with the piano introducing a song Muñoz composed titled, “The Moth,” wrapping the arrangement in arpeggio wings.  The electric bass of Randy Tico grounds the song.  Then Adam Asarnow develops the melody with Luiz Muñoz coloring the music with cymbals crashes, while always holding the tempo steady.  This music is full of motion and energy.

The synthesized strings added to Track #3 change the complexion of his music.  The harmonics that Muñoz hears takes this music up a notch.  On this production he features special guest, Gary Love on soprano saxophone.

The fourth track, “Sunlight in Spring” takes my breath away.  It is absolutely beautiful, with magnificent vocals by Guyanese artist, Lois Mahalia.  This tune quickly becomes my favorite displaying great passion and melodic beauty.

“Aire” is brief, but lovely, with the acoustic bass of Evan Arredondo sounding like a cello.

This is followed by “Gente Nube,” a composition that features the percussion of Muñoz reminding me of horse’s hooves.  Next came “Tom’s Lullaby,” moody and melodic. One thing I noticed is that Luis Muñoz is an awesome composer. Every song is melodically pleasing.  His music walks a tightrope between contemporary and traditional jazz. His original song, “Radioactive” sounds like a soundtrack to a dramatic movie.  The Muñoz talents on drums is impressive, with his incorporation of synthesizer into the arrangement, making it sound like a threatening windstorm.

“Tone Poem” is the final song on this beautifully produced album. Tentatively, pianist Asarnow develops the arrangement, slowly letting the melody soak in, like a point of view.  His music gave me something to think about; to muse over.  Evan Arredondo’s double bass solo is both beautiful and stunning. I enjoyed the sensitive way Asarnow accompanied the bassist on piano.

Luis Muñoz is an artist who has received the most nominations and awards from ACAM (Association of Costa Rican Composers and Musical Authors). He’s gathered a total of 14 nominations and 9 awards. In 2025, that organization honored Muñoz with the Ricardo “Reca” Mora Award.  It is given to artists who have left indelible marks on the musical and cultural patrimony of Costa Rica.

Muñoz has released a dozen albums of original music. His previous four albums released were included in Jazziz Magazine as part of their “Ten Best Records of the Year.”  From his 2024 album release titled, “Glimmering Path” NPR Music placed some of his music among the “Ten Best Songs of the Year.” 

I think this album should continue or bypass his legacy. This recording will be available to the public on December 6 of this year, just in time for the holidays.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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