Playing With Fire (Linus Entertainment)
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque
Released March 10, 2023
JAZZ.FM91 Best Jazz Albums of 2023
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3ALOBaDz-pitpreWqODQc_bdDaU-rJrs
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About:
By now the international Jazz community knows the story that Maqueque came out of a jam session at the Cohiba Hotel in Havana that introduced renowned Jazz musician Jane Bunnett with young women musicians and composers who had recently graduated from the Cuban conservatory. Over ten years the band has created opportunities for composing and performing extraordinary Jazz that has taken this all female ensemble around the world and has expanded to include not only women players from Cuba, but also brilliant vocalist Joanna Majoko (from Zimbabwe) and has had musicians from the Dominican Republic, Latin America, Spain and Lebanon.
The band has won a Juno Award, was nominated for a Grammy and annually tours Europe, Latin America, the US and Canada. Downbeat Mag picked this group as one of the Top Ten Touring Groups of 2019. NPR has featured the band in specials and they have done a Tiny Desk Concert.
On PLAYING WITH FIRE The evolution of this all female Cuban-based collective continues with the addition of 19 year old violinist Daniela Olano, sister of the band’s co-founder and pianist Danae Olano, and a very special guest guitarist Donna Grantis. As a member of 3rdeyegirl, Donna performed for many years with legendary artist Prince.
“Donna’s sound and textures kept haunting me in my new music and l think the final results are beyond beautiful,” says Jane Bunnett. The result is “A God Unknown,” “A Human Race” and “Sierra.” Also reimagined by the collective are two surprising reworkings of Jazz classics “Tempus Fugit” by pianist Bud Powell and “Jump Monk” by Charles Mingus.
Track Listing:
1. Human Race 06:30
2. Tempus Fugit 03:23
3. Sierra 07:29
4. Daniela’s Theme 03:20
5. A God Unknown 06:42
6. Turquoise/Turquesa 02:57
7. Bolero a Un Sueño 05:24
8. Jump Monk 02:51
9. Tomorrow 04:11
10. Playing with Fire 03:25
Personnel:
Jane Bunnett: soprano saxophone and flute
Yissy García: drums
Tailin Marrero: bass & vocals
Joanna Majoko: vocals
Dánae Olano: piano & vocals
Mary Paz: congas & vocals
Daniela Olano: violin
Special guest
Donna Grantis: guitar
Review:
The latest release from Jane Bunnett and Maqueque is a further evolution of this spectacular all-woman tour de force. This recording captures the Juno-winning and Grammy-nominated group’s exhilarating energy, further infused by the considerable talents of guitarist Donna Grantis and the charm and skill of violinist Daniela Olano (the younger sister of co-founding pianist Danae Olano). Playing With Fire is a must for lovers of Afro-Cuban music taken to new and sophisticated heights.
Laura Fernandez (JAZZ.FM91)
