Tradiciones (MVM Music)
Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra
Released May 14, 2020
Grammy Nominee for Best Latin Jazz Album 2021
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kmf3QL-Qf8xxA1KFNagB6lkdwUzLPDR-k
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2iLgvf9Z92h7zQXTnjucmm?si=E6XC2nYcTu2Ifk7Ik78PCQ
About:
Afro Peruvian Jazz Orchestra is a 20-piece ensemble that specializes in Afro Peruvian music. The band combines elements of Jazz and traditional Peruvian rhythms which result in fresh sounds and creative new melodies. APJO was created by Anibal Seminario and Lorenzo Ferrero, both Peruvian composers/woodwind players. The music performed by the band is both original material and original arrangements of traditional Peruvian tunes. Some of the traditional rhythms enveloped within the performances are Lando, Festejo, Marinera, Zamacueca, and many others. APJO recently debuted its first album, Tradiciones, advocating the marvelous culture and influential music of Peru. This debut album has captured the hearts of many around the world, resulting in their debut album receiving two Latin Grammy nominations.
Track Listing:
1. Ritmo, Color y Sabor (Carlos Rincon / Moises Vargas) solos: Aníbal Seminario (flute), Ramón Stagnaro (guitar), Aaron Janik (trumpet) 6:26
2. La Flor de la Canela (Chabuca Granda) solos: Anthony Lopez (piano) 6:19
3. Cuadra 11 (Anibal Seminario) solos: Alex Acuña (cajón), Alex Flavell (piano), Aníbal Seminario (saxofone) 4:51
4. Madame Bantu (Lorenzo Ferrero) solos: Lorenzo Ferrero (soprano saxophone), Eduardo “Papeo” Abán (congas) 7:53
5. María Landó (Cesar Calvo) solos: Eva Ayllón (voice), Anthony Lopez (piano), Oscar Cavero (guitar) 4:57
6. El Talara (Lorenzo Ferrero) solos: Lorenzo Ferrero (tenor saxophone), Aníbal Seminario (alto saxofone), Eduardo “Papeo” Abán (congas) 10:17
Personnel:
Trumpets: Ryan Deweese (lead), Harry Ostrander, Ian Holmquist, Steve Wade, Aaron Janik
Trombones: Tyler McGeough (lead), Bob Lawrence, Ken Eernisse, Patrick Lenertz (bass)
Saxophones: Aníbal Seminario (lead alto/flute), Miguel Menchaca (alto), Lorenzo Ferrero (lead tenor/soprano), Alex Johnson (tenor), Kim Davis (baritone)
Bass: Osmar Okuma
Piano: Anthony Lopez
Keyboard: Juvenal Falla
Guitar: Miles Jensen
Drums: Calixto Oviedo
Percussion: Handark Lozano, Alex Whitmory and Gino Gamboa
Featured artists
Ramón Stagnaro (guitar)
Alex Acuña (cajón)
Eva Ayllón (voice)
Eduardo “Papeo” Abán (congas)
Guests Performers
Michael Czaja (tenor saxophone)
Alex Flavell (piano)
Tim Cummins (baritone saxophone)
Taylor Covey (trombone)
Oscar Cavero (acoustic guitar)
Juvenal Falla (keyboards)
Flavio Donoso Larrea (percussion)
Marito Marques (drums)
Alvaro Sovero (bass)
Recorded at Corche Music Recording Studios, Paramount, CA
Produced by Aníbal Sminario, Lorenzo Ferrero
Co-Produced by Arya Morales and Rayner Fernandez
Recording Engineer: Rayner Fernandez
Assistant Engineer: Cesar Benitez
Mixing Engineers: Rayner Fernandez (1, 3, 5) and Carlos Rodgarman (2, 4, 6)
Mastering Engineer: Reuben Cohen
Art Direction, Design, Illustrations: Fabricio Aguirre
Photography: Vinner Dawson – Light + Luxe Studios
Review:
I have to be honest; I had never heard of the Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra (APJO) before. However, I do love Afro-Peruvian music and I do love Jazz. So the combination sounded interesting.
“Tradiciones” is a beautiful album that combines these two streams of music in an elegant package. The orchestra is fantastic and doesn’t hurt to have Peruvian music legend Eva Ayllon as a guest in one of the songs. This 20 piece jazz orchestra was created by Anibal Seminario and Lorenzo Ferrero, both Peruvian composers and woodwind players.
Perhaps the only drawback of “Traditions” is that the album is relatively short with just 6 songs and 40-minute duration. Yet, this does not take away from making it a short enjoyable listening journey.
Hector Aviles (Latino Music Café)
