Claudia Acuña - Rhythm Of Life

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:11
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:54)  1. My Romance
(7:19)  2. Ay Mariposa
(4:57)  3. A Child Is Born
(5:56)  4. Nature Boy
(6:42)  5. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(6:09)  6. Volver A Los Diecisiete
(7:08)  7. Nowhere To Go
(3:55)  8. Maria Maria
(6:05)  9. More Than You Know

Claudia Acuña dedicates her sophomore effort to her friend and mentor Dianne Reeves, and indeed, there’s a certain Reevesian drama to Rhythm of Life. Whereas Acuña’s debut was driven mainly by pals Jason Lindner and Avishai Cohen, the new record features a broader cast of characters, including the perfect-10 rhythm team of Dave Holland and Jeff "Tain" Watts. Lindner is still quite present, however, playing piano and penning five of the nine arrangements (four of the five collaboratively with Acuña). But Acuña co-produced the disc with pianist/arranger Billy Childs, one of Reeves’s chief musical partners. It is Childs’s piano, and arrangements, that we hear on four cuts, including an ethereal 6/4 reading of "A Child Is Born" and a lush string quartet treatment of "I Fall in Love Too Easily." Avi Leibovich, a major presence on Wind From the South, is less prominent here, but his flute textures fill out "Nature Boy" beautifully. 

(The ending vamp is a tad overblown, with background vocalists repeatedly blurting out "There was a boy!"). Acuña’s voice is strong and versatile, generating excitement and bountiful passion. In addition to her inventive way with standards ("My Romance," a fast and highly irreverent "More Than You Know"), she excels again with Spanish-language material. Violeta Parra, the author of "Gracias a la Vida" from the previous record, is again represented with "Volver a los Diecisiete," which soars, as do Milton Nascimento’s "Maria Maria" and Pedro Luis Ferrer’s "Ay Mariposa." And last but not least, Acuña weighs in with an original bossa-ballad, the beautiful "Nowhere to Go." While the big production serves Acuña’s voice well, it’s always wonderful to hear her interact with a small band live. Her just-announced U.S. tour, which includes a week-long run at New York’s Iridium beginning April 16, will feature Lindner, Reid Anderson on bass, and Clarence Penn on drums. In all likelihood, the bandstand is where this material will really take flight. ~ David Adler   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/rhythm-of-life-claudia-acuna-verve-music-group-review-by-david-adler.php#.U3JSSShnAqY 

Personnel includes: Claudia Acuna (vocals); Sherman Irby (saxophone); Avi Leibovich (trombone, flute); Krista Bennion Feeney, Anca Nicolau (violin); Joanna Hood (viola); Myron Lutzke (cello); Sara Cutler (harp); Billy Childs, Jason Lindner (piano); Romero Lubambo (guitar); Dave Holland (bass); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums); Luisito Quintero (percussion).

Arturo O'Farrill & Jazz At Lincoln Center's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra - Una Noche Inolvidable

Styles: Latin Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:57
Size: 138,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Havana Special
(6:43)  2. Buscando La Melodía
(3:19)  3. Somos Novios
(3:23)  4. Estoy Commo Nunca
(5:59)  5. Volver A Los 17
(3:20)  6. Encantado De La Vida
(9:56)  7. Enseñame Tu & Piensalo Bien
(2:47)  8. Pianarabatibiri
(6:30)  9. Corazón Rebeldé
(3:43) 10. La Ley Del Guaguanco
(2:42) 11. Mi Amor Fugaz
(3:04) 12. Don Fulano
(5:07) 13. Avisale A Mi Contrario

It's never easy to replace a legend, especially when the legend happens also to be one's father. But Arturo O'Farrill, who doesn't want for courage or self-reliance, has seized the reins once held by his illustrious parent, the late Chico O'Farrill, and ridden the thoroughbred Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra into the winner's circle in the first-ever live recording from Jazz at Lincoln Center's state-of-the-art Frederick P. Rose Hall, an occasion that was truly Una Noche Inolvidable (an unforgettable night). Commenting on the marvelous acoustics in Rose Hall, O'Farrill writes, "...all the musicians were smiling that night. And listening to this album, believe it or not, you can almost hear them smiling which is enchanting, as the most pleasurable Latin music is always presented with a smile. The concert was billed as "A Celebration of the Great Latin Jazz Vocalists, and the ALJO set the stage for two of the contemporary music scene's most celebrated soneros, Herman Olivera and Claudia Acuña. Olivera is showcased on seven of the album's thirteen tracks, Acuña on three, and there is one charming duet, "Encantado de la Vida. The ensemble opens with the buoyant "Havana Special and also goes it alone on pianist O'Farrill's fast-paced feature, "Pianarabatibiri. As this was essentially the singers' night to shine, there are few other solos. Alto Bobby Porcelli is heard briefly on "Buscando la Melodia, trombonist Luis Bonilla on "Volver a los 17, O'Farrill on "Corazon Rebeldé. Aside from that, the spotlight rests squarely on Olivera and Acuña, neither of whom needs much help to captivate an audience. Even so, they are given unwavering support throughout by the ALJO, which has been scrupulously assembled by O'Farrill from among the New York City area's most accomplished musicians, including a handful who were members of his father's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Rose Hall lives up to its promise, as does the ALJO and its inimitable guests, Herman Olivera and Claudia Acuña, who together make this an unforgettable night for anyone who appreciates the bold and breathtaking panorama of Latin jazz. Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/una-noche-inolvidable-afro-latin-jazz-orchestra-palmetto-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel:  Producer – Arturo O'Farrill; Bass – Ruben Rodriguez; Drums – Vince Cherico; Percussion – Joseph Gonzalez, Milton Cardona; Reeds – Bobby Porcelli, Erica vonKleist , Ivan Renta, Mario Rivera, Pablo Calogero; Trombone – Douglas Purviance, Luis Bonilla, Noah Bless, Reynaldo Jorge; Trumpet – Joseph Magnarelli, John Walsh, Michael Philip Mossman, Michael Rodriguez; Vocals – Claudia Acuña, Herman Olivera

Una Noche Inolvidable

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Claudia Acuña - Turning Pages

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:55
Size: 87,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. Aguita de Corazon
(3:19)  2. Hey
(4:52)  3. But Beautiful
(4:11)  4. Los Tres Deseos de Siempre
(3:56)  5. Futuro
(5:07)  6. Bird Alone
(5:29)  7. Silencio
(3:12)  8. Home
(3:29)  9. Tu Sonrisa

There's no sense in calling Claudia Acuña’s Turning Pages a comeback. Just in the past two years she’s collaborated with heavyweights such as Henry Threadgill, Susie Ibarra, Elio Villafranca and Billy Childs (singing on the title track of his 2017 album Rebirth, a tune based on her composition). But this is the Chilean vocalist’s first album in a decade after releasing five widely heralded CDs in the aughts, projects that documented her central position in the wave of Latin American artists who brought so much creative energy to the New York scene around the turn of the century. Turning Pages isn’t so much a comeback as a reintroduction to an artist who is stepping forward as a songwriter too. Working closely with Colombian-born string wizard, arranger, and producer Juancho Herrera (whose credits include collaborations with Lila Downs, Sofia Rei, and Marta Gomez), she co-composed five of the album’s nine tunes, including the graceful nuevo cancion-style “Aguita de Corazón” and the celebratory anthem “Hey,” both written with pianist Ray Angry. The other three co-writes are with Herrera, most memorably “Futuro,” a love song to her son. https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/claudia-acuna-turning-pages-defin/

Turning Pages

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Claudia Acuna - In These Shoes

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:01
Size: 112.2 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:36] 1. In These Shoes
[3:46] 2. Vida Sin Miel
[4:30] 3. Paciencia
[4:14] 4. Cuando Cuando
[3:55] 5. Agua
[3:37] 6. Comos Dos Amantes
[3:55] 7. Moondance
[4:29] 8. Willow Weep For Me
[3:15] 9. California
[4:18] 10. Jibarito
[4:52] 11. Dime
[4:28] 12. La Piye

Claudia Acuna: lead vocals; Arturo O'Farrill: piano, arrangements; Adam Rogers: guitar; Michael Mossman: trumpet; Reynaldo Jorge: trombone; Yosvany Terry: alto and tenor sax; Ruben Rodrigues: bass; Dafnis Prieto: drums; Pedrito Martinez: percussion, vocals.

Friends sometimes make the best partners. It's a good formula for Arturo O'Farrill and Claudia Acuna, who collaborated for In These Shoes. O'Farrill, a 2006 Grammy nominee as a pianist, composer and arranger, has put his mark on Latin and jazz styles, often mixing both. Acuna, a singer from Chile, also fuses Latin and jazz and counts among her influences, Sarah Vaughan and Celia Cruz. Together, O'Farrill and Acuna combine the best of their respective worlds. The sassy "Vida Sin Miel" fuses some Latin vibes with some funk. Ruben Rodrigues lays down the bass track, and guitarist Adam Rogers delivers a bluesy solo. Pedrito Martinez on percussion and background vocals offers an assist.

Acuna's ethereal voice gives the Spanish lyrics of "Paciencia" an elegant quality. This charming ballad features a subtle underscore by the supporting cast. O'Farrill's piano is little more than a bit player here, but the beauty is in the lead and the arrangement. The piano does get more involved on "Cuando Cuando," a straightforward Latin arrangement. The percussion, bass, drums and piano are the stars, although Acuna's lead is also a key element. The ensemble takes on more of an Afro-Cuban sound with "Agua," which has heavy emphasis on bass and percussion. The voices add a certain charm to it.

The goal of the recording is to bring the world together, showing that various cultures can, and often do, mingle. The formula works, as O'Farrill and Acuna present different styles of music, and merge them, such as with the Latin take on Van Morrison's "Moondance." In These Shoes is a pleasant listen throughout. ~Woodrow Wilkins

In These Shoes

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Joey Calderazzo - Amanecer

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:13
Size: 131.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:22] 1. Midnight Voyage
[8:13] 2. Sea Glass
[5:39] 3. Toonay
[6:30] 4. Amanecer
[5:47] 5. The Lonely Swan
[5:47] 6. I've Never Been In Love Before
[6:16] 7. So Many Moons
[6:09] 8. Waltz For Debby
[6:27] 9. Lara

Joey Calderazzo: piano; Claudia Acuna: vocals (4, 7, 9); Romero Lubambo: guitar (4, 5, 9).

On Amanecer, pianist Joey Calderazzo continues to prove that playing solo is one of his strengths. His fearless and stalwart performances with the Branford Marsalis Quartet have been documented over the last few years but outside of the group his playing soars even more. Like its predecessor Haiku (Marsalis Music,2004), this recording is intimate, insightful, flowing with a quiet strength as the pianist delivers an effective set of tunes (both solo and with special guests). The music covers originals and a couple of standards as Calderazzo performs impressively in a variety of styles, adding a personal touch of modern expression. One could picture Calderazzo playing solo at some local venue with a tip jar on the piano. He quietly accepts a few requests, yet transforms them into brilliant displays of agility and adroitness as deceptively brillant chops kick in. You're later introduced to Calderazzo's new-blues standard "Midnight Voyage holding elements of Thelonious Monk quirkiness and Fats Waller playfulness, or the peaceful ponderings of "Sea Glass written by the late great saxophonist, Michael Brecker. And by the time "Toonay —a complex tune of lyrical improvisation—ends, you clearly realize he's not your average house pianist.

The esteemed guests, singer Claudia Acuña and guitarist Romero Lubambo, bring voice and strings with Latin persuasions to the title "Amanecer and "Lara, guided by Calderazzo's light and thoughtful playing. The tone of the recording maintains a tranquil aura after the ingenious solo rendition of "I've Never Been in Love Before and depending upon ones preference, the set might be a little too relaxed. But after a hectic day, its soothing qualities are remarkable. This is another fine "solo effort by Calderazzo; an artist who continues to grow within a group setting and most definitely on his own. ~Mark F. Turner

Amanecer

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Willie Jones III - The Next Phase

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:37
Size: 124,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:38)  1. The Thorn
(6:59)  2. Changing the Game
(6:21)  3. Melancholy Mind
(6:33)  4. Family
(6:43)  5. Kosen Rufu
(5:26)  6. Another Time
(4:43)  7. Until It's Time For You To Go
(9:11)  8. Up the Middle

On his fourth album, Jones leads a group that features the modern jazz scene's most innovative musicians: Steve Davis on trombone, Greg Tardy on saxophone, Eric Reed on piano, Dezron Douglas on bass, Warren Wolf on vibes and vocalists Claudia Acuna and Renee Neufville. The Next Phase consists of an original tune by Jones as well as new and unreleased songs by Reed, Douglas and Davis. Until It's Time for You To Go, originally recorded by Roberta Flack, has been translated to the jazz medium by vocalist Renee Neufville. Claudia Acuna is featured on Melancholy Mind, written by pianist Anthony Wonsey. Jones continues to work consistently with venerable artists Cedar Walton, Hank Jones, Ernestine Anderson, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars and others but the album's title reflects the changes in the drummer's life, both personally and professionally. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/The-Next-Phase-Willie-Jones/dp/B003K7TMNG

Personnel: Willie Jones III (drums); Eric Reed, piano; Dezron Douglas, Bass; Warren Wolf, vibes; Greg Tardy, sax; Steve Davis, trombone; Claudia Acuna, vocals; Renee Neufville, vocals

The Next Phase

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Claudia Acuna - En Este Momento

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:46
Size: 109.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz vocals, Latin jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:19] 1. El Cigarrito
[5:05] 2. Te Recuerdo Amanda
[4:11] 3. Tulum
[5:44] 4. That's What They Say
[4:15] 5. El Derecho De Vivir En Paz
[7:36] 6. Contigo En La Distancia
[3:59] 7. Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado
[3:27] 8. Vuelvo Al Sur
[2:51] 9. Sueño Contigo
[7:14] 10. La Mentira (Se Te Olvida)

Claudia Acuña's first effort for Marsalis Music and fourth CD overall -- the previous on Max Jazz and two for the Verve label -- is a subdued recording, much more introspective and thoughtful. Due to the presence of acoustic guitarist Juancho Herrera, the mood is more serene and wistful, with words sung in Spanish save a single track done in English. Electric and acoustic pianist Jason Lindner is also much more reserved, in the backdrop and less forceful than he usually is, but no less distinctive. Where bassist Omer Avital and drummer Clarence Penn have worked with Acuña and Lindner for several years, it is very clear from the outset they all know exactly what to do in their subliminal roles. It seems these sensitive and reflective songs have been on Acuña's mind for some time. The Chilean born vocalist taps classic sources and material she knew during childhood, including music from Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and Cuba. More specifically, there are lyrics from her fellow Chilean, the freedom fighter and poet Victor Jara, and tunes of her own. Classic works by Jara, "El Cigarrito" and "Te Recuerdo Amanda," kick off the set, the former with clockwork rhythms via Penn swinging and swaying about before an atypical steely electric guitar solo from Herrera, the latter a yearning modal song in 5/4 time. Slow and somber respectively, "That's What They Say" -- sung in English -- is a tune of confusion and not belonging, while Jara's "El Derecho de Vivir en Paz" has Acuña and Herrera conferring in a retreat of reorganization, while the drifting "Contigo en la Distancia" retrospectively observes life from faraway locales. Branford Marsalis joins the group, playing soprano sax on his sole cameo, "Cuando Vuelvo a Tu Lado," while the ensemble goes deep into the dark blue spectrum for Astor Piazzolla's sad tango "Vuelvo a Sur." It takes the band nine tracks to step up their energy as on the bouncy, much more spirited "Sueño Contigo." Lindner is always more than able to play individualistically, no matter the tempo, mood, or underpinning required, and should be listened to with rapt attention. Because of the personal nature of this music, Acuña herself is not as pronounced or bold as on previous dates, but delivers the goods in a deliberate yet subtle manner. This is mood and moody music, suited to be played under cover of darkness, not romantic, not sanguine, definitely heartfelt, and rewarding in many ways that are far less obvious on the surface. ~Michael G. Nastos

En Este Momento

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Claudia Acuna - Wind From The South

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 56:07

Size: 128.5 MB

Styles: Latin jazz vocals

Year: 2000

Art: Front

[4:12] 1. Pure Imagination

[3:25] 2. Viento De Sur (Wind Of The South)

[6:26] 3. My Man's Gone Now

[3:29] 4. Prelude To A Kiss

[4:56] 5. Gracias A La Vida (Thanks For Life)

[4:01] 6. What'll I Do

[4:59] 7. Long As You're Living

[6:32] 8. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered

[3:22] 9. Alfonsina Y El Mar (Alfonsina And The Sea)

[5:15] 10. I'll Find You

[3:02] 11. The Thrill Is Gone

[6:21] 12. Visions

For her debut recording, Acuna makes an impression that is hard to forget or dismiss. A native of Santiago, Chile, she has been living in NYC and working on her craft at the Blue Note and Small's. On this date she hooks up with peer-group younger musicians as pianist Jason Lindner, bassist Avishai Cohen, drummer Jeff Ballard, and some special guests. Acuna is clearly a gifted singer with a strong, flexible, attractive voice that can lilt or soar. Her resiliency and directness can be favorably compared to Roseanna Vitro, and she proves to be quite an arranger in her own right, charting this set of standards and Hispanic lyric songs. Acuna likes odd meters, using 6/8 on the dramatic "My Man's Gone Now," while adopting shades of Flora Purim (she facially resembles a young Purim) with soaring vocal overdubbing on her original, the title cut, which is supported and colored by Avi Leibovich's trombone. Saturated in percussion and Latin pulse, the horn-fired 6/8 arrangement of Cohen's design "Gracias a la Vida" has tenor saxophonist David Sanchez and trumpeter Diego Urcola swimming in this mix and trading figures during the bridge. A driving 5/4 pushes "The Thrill Is Gone" (not B.B. King's) into a free section, while that same rhythm, more patient in a shuffle style, conjures more drama during the poignant "Long as You're Living." Though in 4/4, beats of separated five and three with beautiful breezy piano chords from Lindner sets this version of "Pure Imagination" apart from any other you'll hear -- a real triumph. There's a hard-bop two-note vamp take of "Prelude to a Kiss" and a quick waltz version of "Bewitched" where Acuna stretches the lyric line. Pianist Harry Whitaker is Acuna's lone foil for the ballad "What'll I Do?" while the trio with Whitaker and Leibovich dances with the singer in wafting, wordless, childlike wonder for "I'll Find You." Cohen and Acuna go it alone in mysterious, deep, and tender moments for "Alfonsina y el Mar"; Stevie Wonder's "Visions" is replete with "Autumn Leaves" paraphrasings, sporting devices both free and modern with dramatic punctuations and stop-starts, with Sanchez on soprano sax. Not only is there promise, but potential too, which is realized; when you consider this is Acuna's maiden voyage, her lengthy travels have already borne the seasoned fruit of a more experienced singer. Recommended. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, New York on November 17-20, 1999.

Claudia Acuña (vocals, background vocals); David Sanchez (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Diego Urcola (trumpet); Harry Whitaker, Jason Lindner (piano); Avishai Cohen (electric piano, acoustic bass, electric bass); Jeff Ballard (drums, percussion). 

Wind From The South

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