Paquito D`Rivera

4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Best Latin Jazz Album of the 39th Annual Grammy Awards! This absolutely classic jazz recording is entitled Portraits of Cuba and is a milestone project of Paquito D'Rivera. Arranged by Carlos Franzetti, the large band ensemble provides an orchestral ambiance akin to the legendary Gil Evan sound with Miles Davis, in the classic "Sketches of Spain." This recording couldn't come at a better time, as it presents an artistic commentary on a national and social transition as it unfolds in a new and evolving Cuba. It is truly a work that will be applauded worldwide as the quality of the writing and performance is at a level few artists are capable of achieving today. Paquito D'Rivera provides some of the most inspired improvisation in his career to date and the material chosen for this recording are familiar classics in the popular Latin music tradition.

PERSONNEL:

LEW SOLOFF, BOB MILLIKAN, DIEGO URCOLA, GUSTAVO BERGALLI (tp,flhrn)
JAMES PUGH, DAVID TAYLOR, (tb)
JOHN CLARK, (fhr)
PAQUITO D'RIVERA, (sop,as,cl)
LAWRENCE FLDMAN, DICK OATTS, TOM CHRISTENSEN, ANDRES BOIARSKY, ROGER ROSENBERG, (reeds)
ALLISON BREWSTER, DARIO ESKENAZI, CARLOS FRANZETTI, (p)
DAVID FINCK, (b)
MARK WALTER, (d)
PERNELL SATURNINO, (perc)
CARLOS FRANZETTI, (arr)

St. Peter's Church, New York, February 6 & 7, 1996

TRACKS:

01. La Bella Cubana
02. The Peanut Vendor
03. Tu
04. Tu Mi Delirio
05. No Te Importe Saber
06. Drume Negrita
07. Portraits of Cuba
08. Excerpt From "Aires Tropicales"
09. Mariana
10. Como Arrullo De Palmas
11. Echale Salsita