Musical notes on Sanchez, Blanchard, Thomas, Batiste and more…

3rd October 2011   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

Poncho Sanchez and Terrence Blanchard
Chano y Dizzy!
(Concord)

When Cuban-born con­guero Chano Pozo met jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in New York City in 1947, worlds collided in the most marvelous way. Having mastered their instruments and styles, the two great artists converged with the open hearts, ears and minds of musical pioneers. Pozo and Gillespie – Chano y Dizzy!, the album’s namesakes – brought on a new sound, a new spirit. Call it Latin jazz or Afro-Cuban jazz, the music merged styles that were already related through African bloodlines.

In recognition of this historic collaboration, conga master Poncho Sanchez, who was born in Texas and raised in Los Angeles, and New Orleans trumpet great Terrence Blanchard team up to present an album of the legendary duo’s music plus other works that speak of the style that they helped to create.

The CD opens with a bow to Pozo’s gifts as a composer by presenting a medley of his most famous tunes, “Tin Tin Deo,” “Manteca” and “Guachi Guaro.” The heartbeat of Sanchez’s congas joined by Blanchard’s bright trumpet at the beginning of the song shines the spotlight on two artists being honored. This song, as well as most of the material here, is given classic treatment that is sparked by the excellence of the musicianship and great respect for the tradition.

Next up the group takes on Gillespie’s sweet-tempered “Con Alma,” a melody familiar to jazz fans. The constant, often surprising rhythm changes show the diversity of Latin tempos that were made to American jazz artists, in this case the very capable and astute Blanchard.

The band assembled for the project boasts some of the great names in Latin and straight-up jazz today with many of the musicians coming out of Sanchez’s ensemble. Trumpeter Ron Blake offers his own work, “Harris’ Walk,” a highlight of the album that was written with the late great saxophonist Eddie Harris in mind. And yes, Blake hits it on the nose; it’s got that Harris vibe. Francisco Torres’ trombone, an essential of Latin music, tops this one off.

A change of pace is provided by the gently moving “Nocturna,” a tune written by Ivan Lins that was heard previously on Blanchard’s stunning album Bounce. David Torres’ piano provides a warm counterpoint to Blanchard’s emotional performance.

The disc ends as it should with a full-on, traditional number by Pozo, “Arinanara,” which includes lively vocals and that demands dancing. It, like the entirety of Chano y Dizzy! stands as a reminder of the great gift that the teaming of Pozo and Gillespie gave to the world. Jazz you can dance to.

Another Full Docket of Music, Music, Music

The song “My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now,” written and made legendary by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, is a New Orleans anthem. When the members composed it, they probably had in mind the endurance it takes to blow and dance hard during the four-hour Sunday afternoon second line parades. These days, however, it’s a prayer and a wish for all those wanting to take in all the music that’s available during a time when so much is going on. That ain’t easy in the Big Easy.

For instance, Wednesday evening, October 5, is a must with the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas headlining the Harvest the Music series at Lafayette Square. It’s always a love fest when the Grammy-winning Thomas hits the stage. Good will fills the air at these events as the proceeds from the food and beverage sales benefit the very worthy Second Harvest Food Band that has been servicing the community since 1982. The soul/funk/jazz group Soul Project opens the free show at 5 p.m. Heads up for the following Wednesday when the very hot Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and his group Orleans Avenue do their part for the cause. The trombonist/vocalist’s new album, For True, went straight to the top of Billboard magazine’s Jazz Charts just as his previous disc, Backatown made the leap.

Thursday, October 6, the wonderful saxophonist/composer/educa­tor/producer Harold Battiste, who in 2011 has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of the record label he established, AFO (All for One), will be honored by the New Orleans Afrikan Film and Arts Festival (NOAFEST). The event, which takes place at 7 p.m. at the Galvez Solarium, 914 N. Peters (formerly the Bella Luna restaurant) includes a performance of one of Battiste’s jazz compositions by the Molto Chamber Orchestra, dinner, a tribute by clarinetist Michael White followed by music from pianist Jesse McBride Presents the Next Generation.

Battiste will be presented with the Toni Cade Bamara Award, named after the late author and filmmaker. His vision in establishing a Black-owned record label back in 1961 and one that produced its first big hit with Barbara George’s “I Know,” is in keeping with the award’s namesake. His fortitude in “keeping the music alive” enabled him to resurrect the label and document New Orleans present day jazz scene.

Multiple events presented by the New Orleans Afrikan Film and Arts Festival will take place throughout the city from October 6 — 9. Go to www.new­orleansfilmandartstsfestival.org for complete information.

The action moves over to the west bank from Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9 with the 17th Annual Gretna Heritage Festival. To many folks living on the east bank of the Mississippi, heading to Gretna once seemed like traveling to the other side of the world. With a ferry now providing passenger service to Gretna plus free shuttles offering lifts from parking lots at the Westside and Oakwood shopping centers, things are a lot easier.

Fans of brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians might want to hang out at the Festival Stage, one of seven venues in the 25-block festival gro­unds in the heart of downtown Gretna. That’s where they can find the likes of the Tremé Brass Band and the Creole Wild West on Friday evening, the Stooges Brass Band and Young Squatulous on Saturday and the Storyville Stompers Brass Band and, again, the Creole Wild West on Sunday.

The great guitarist/vocalist Bobby Rush, who stood out at the Ponderosa Stomp playing solo and blew crowds away several years back at the New Orleans Blues & Barbecue Festival where he performed his full band and hip-shakin’ mamas, is not to be missed at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

There’s a ton of music, rides, food, art and more all at a reasonable price of $15 at the door or $12.50 online as well as discount weekend rates. More information is available at www.gret­nafest.com.

This article was originally published in the October 3, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper