Jane Bunnett, Maqueque - On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:38
Size: 120,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:49) 1. La Linea (The Line Up)
(4:45) 2. Monkey See, Monkey Do
(3:20) 3. Momentum
(4:54) 4. On Firm Ground
(4:35) 5. Habana De Noche (Havana At Night)
(4:19) 6. Sky High
(4:33) 7. The Occurance (To Amelie)
(6:34) 8. Reencuentro ( Re United)
(3:56) 9. Broken Heart
(3:12) 10. Mystery Of Jane's House
(2:32) 11. Pa' Con Paz
(5:03) 12. Musica En El Alma ( Music In The Soul)

On the final track of Maqueque’s self-titled debut five years ago, Jane Bunnett spiked the punch with her longtime collaborator Hilario Durán and a few other heavyweights. For the band’s third album, Tierra Firme, the most prominent guest stars are Maqueque alumni Daymé Arocena and Melvis Santa on vocals, plus sacred steel guitarist Nicole “Nikki” D. Brown.

That proactive evolution is typical for Bunnett, who has always ensured that paying her dues becomes a long-term investment. Early in her career, she dismantled gender bigotry by holding her own with rugged male elders like Dewey Redman, Don Pullen, and Billy Hart. And after she fell in love with Cuban music on her initial trips to the island in the 1980s, she returned again and again, fundraising instruments for children and absorbing wide swaths from a panoply of genres. Her decision to form an all-female group of younger Cuban musicians has opened a creative portal for both the ever-changing members of Maqueque (which translates to “energy of a girl’s spirit”) and the leader herself.https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/jane-bunnett-maqueque-tierra-firme-linus/

Personnel: Jane Bunnett: soprano saxophone, flute and trompeta china; Dánae Olano: piano and vocals; Tailin Marrero: contrabass, electric bass and vocals; Yissy Garcia: drums; Mary Paz: percussion and vocals; Joanna Majoko: vocals; Special Guests – Daymé Arocena: vocals; Melvis Santa: vocals; Nicole “Nikki” D. Brown: vocals and sacred steel.

On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme

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Jane Bunnett - In Dew Time

Styles: Flute, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1988
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:28
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:27)  1. Big Alice
(8:38)  2. The Wanderer
(8:49)  3. Limbo
(6:34)  4. Utviklingssang
(6:26)  5. In Dew Time
(9:32)  6. Five/As Long as There's Music

Jane Bunnett's debut album uses different personnel on every selection. She starts out quite strong (playing flute in a duet with pianist Don Pullen on his catchy "Big Alice") and continues the momentum throughout a set that includes two of her originals, an obscure Carla Bley song, the title cut (written by her husband-trumpeter Larry Cramer) and a medley of her "Five" and the standard "As Long As There Is Music." At that point in her career, Bunnett was a little more original on flute than on soprano but already quite talented on both. In addition to members of her Canadian group (Cramer, pianist Brian Dickenson, bassist Scott Alexander and drummer Claude Ranger), Bunnett welcomes Don Pullen, tenor great Dewey Redman and the french horn of Vincent Chancey on some of the selections. The inside/outside music is quite colorful, unpredictable and ultimately logical. A very impressive debut. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-dew-time-mw0000910546

Personnel:  Jane Bunnett, flute, soprano saxophone;  Scott Alexander, bass;  Claude Ranger, drums;  Vincent Chancey, french horn;  Brian Dickenson, piano;  Don Pullen, piano;  Dewey Redman, tenor saxophone;  Larry Cramer, trumpet

In Dew Time

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Miguel De Armas Quartet - What's To Come

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:23
Size: 108.5 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[5:56] 1. Yasmina (Feat. Roberto Riverón, Alexis Baró & Carlos Medrano)
[4:40] 2. A Song For My Little Son (Feat. Elmer Ferrer)
[4:05] 3. La Dama Y El Perro
[5:23] 4. His Bass And Him (Feat. Mathieu Sénéchal & Galen Weston)
[2:55] 5. Pam Pim Pam Pum
[3:24] 6. Illusion
[4:45] 7. What's To Come (Feat. Jane Bunnett)
[5:51] 8. Rumba On Kent St. (Feat. Alexandre Laborde)
[5:37] 9. Tango Asunción (Feat. Alexandre Laborde)
[4:45] 10. Freddie's Drink

Miguel de Armas: piano and keyboards; Michel Medrano: drums and percussion; Marc Decho: bass (solo – 2 – 4), (5, 7, 9); Arien Villegas: congas (5); Guests: Alexis Baró: trumpet and flugelhorn (1); Roberto Riverón: contrabass (1); Carlitos Medrano: congas and percussion (1, 3, 5, 8 10); Elmer Ferrer: electric guitar (2); Mathieu Sénéchal: bass (4, 8, 10); Galen Weston: electric guitar (4); Jane Bunnett: soprano saxophone (7).

The pianist Miguel de Armas is blessed with a magnificent tumbao and he uses it to great effect on What’s to Come. But if you thought that he is sticking within his comfort zone on this recording, then you would be dead wrong because clearly not afraid to step out, to invent – very organically, it must be said – outside the Afro-Caribbean idiom and yet stay true to his roots in a refreshing, forward-thinking manner. His use of electronic instruments – especially the synthesizer – is rather effective and while he may not be the first to add splashes of vivid colour and stretch the sonic palette of his music, he certainly makes every sound from the instrument work very well for him and his music, especially when the drama of musical narratives unfold as piano and keyboards collide to produce a refreshing wave of harmonics.

Miguel de Armas is a sincere and persuasive musician. His pianism is suffused with a panoply of colours and his touch is at the soft end of the spectrum, although it has a subtle and percussive touch and always conveys his music so luminously. The music doesn’t often raise its voice much and even when it does, the narratives are skillfully crafted to maintain a certain expressive decorum. An attractive feature of Miguel de Armas’ music is that he alters harmonies and structural elements with impressive control, heading in directions that surprise and captivate the ear. The danzón “La Dama y el Perro”, “Rumba on Kent St.” and “Tango Asunción” are fine examples of such restraint. The use of bátà on “Freddie’s Drink” adds much to the rollicking rhythm of the piece.

In those and all the other works on this album, Miguel de Armas performs with consummate artistry, blending superior control and tonal lucidity with a cohesive sense of line and motion. The pianist’s music could hardly be better served than by his brilliantly schooled quartet as well as by a constellation of stars who have joined in to celebrate this music: and these include Jane Bunnett on soprano saxophone, the fiercely brilliant bassist, Roberto Riverón, guitarists Elmer Ferrer and Galen Weston, superb accordionist Alexandre Laborde and the fiery trumpeter Alexis Baró. All of the musicians engage in a skillful and rigorous manipulation of the material in the most listenable light possible, while also making it more vibrant than ever. ~Raul da Gama

What's To Come mc
What's To Come zippy

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Jane Bunnett & The Spirits Of Havana - Ritmo + Soul

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:52
Size: 162.2 MB
Styles: Afro-Cuban rhythms
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[ 6:32] 1. Santos Saurez
[ 8:40] 2. Joyful Noise
[10:28] 3. El Rio
[ 3:55] 4. Osain
[10:02] 5. Drume Negrita
[ 5:59] 6. Journey Back
[ 5:21] 7. 3 Voices One Spirit
[ 7:00] 8. Hebioso
[12:52] 9. Fransisco's Dream

Merging a traditional Afro-Cuban spirit with the sound of acoustic mainstream jazz, Jane Bunnett and her Spirits of Havana have topped their previous projects. Since her 1992 Spirits Of Havana album on the Denon label, the saxophonist/flutist has brought more than 40 Cuban musicians on tour with her in Canada and in the United States. In addition, she and trumpeter Larry Cramer have established the Spirits of Music project to raise money for the repair of broken musical instruments in Cuba’s conservatories. They’ve produced a documentary film about Cuban music that will be presented this fall and winter at various film festivals around the world. In the film, Bunnett and Cramer perform with contemporary groups from all over Cuba, from son montuno groups, a 38-piece conga band, and even a 10-piece a cappella choir that sings in Creole.

With Ritmo + Soul, trumpet and soprano saxophone work together on "Santos Suárez," as two interwoven voices playing in harmony. Bunnett’s lively C flute and Cramer’s muted trumpet make "Joyful Noise" with a laid-back mood supported by the band. Composed by the husband-wife pair, these two songs and "Francisco’s Dream" offer a mellow adventure through consonant scenes, applying unisons and octaves liberally. Equal parts traditional Afro-Cuban and mainstream jazz, the band’s sound gets a big boost from pianist Hilario Duran and bassist Roberto Occhipinti. Their solo work stands out as both complex and comfortable. Recommended, the 71-minute program has an appeal across genre boundaries. ~Jim Santella

Ritmo + Soul mc
Ritmo + Soul zippy

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Jane Bunnett - Spirits Of Havana

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:51
Size: 148.5 MB
Styles: Bop, Cuban jazz
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[3:09] 1. Hymn
[3:01] 2. Ochun
[6:01] 3. Yo Siempre Oddara
[9:12] 4. Song From Argentina
[2:27] 5. Quirino
[9:35] 6. La Luna Arriba
[7:17] 7. G.M.S. (Gandinga, Mondongo, Sandungo)
[6:57] 8. Epistrophy
[5:13] 9. Yemaya
[3:01] 10. Sweet Dreams
[8:53] 11. Spirits Of Havana

Canadian flutist and soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett traveled to Cuba and immersed herself in the island's music to make this CD, combining other Canadian musicians with a host of gifted Cubans. Guided by senior percussionist Guillermo Barreto on timbales, the result is a genuine exploration of what is most distinctive and valuable in Cuban music and the special relationship of its African elements to jazz. The traditions come together most fully in Gonzalo Rubalcaba's exploration of Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy," but there are numerous delights here, from Bunnett's immersion in Cuban rhythms to the enchanting singing of Merceditas Valdes on several traditional songs in Yoruba dialect. ~Stuart Broomer

Spirits Of Havana

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Jane Bunnett - Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:10
Size: 142,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:14)  1. Dialogos
(5:07)  2. Son de la Loma
(6:42)  3. Poems of the Soul - Guantanamera
(8:43)  4. Caleidoscopio
(3:52)  5. Como Fue
(7:19)  6. Fugado y Son Nocturno
(4:35)  7. Social Club Buena Vista
(9:12)  8. Miradas Furtivas
(4:56)  9. Midnight Theme
(5:24) 10. Tony y Jesusito

Jane Bunnett, a talented flutist and soprano saxophonist from Canada, has consistently cut through red tape and bureaucracy in order to perform with Cuban musicians. For this project, Bunnett puts the focus on a pair of talented Cuban pianists (Jose Maria Vitier and Frank Emilio Flynn), performing in a variety of settings that also sometimes include bassist Carlitos del Puerto. The leader actually sits out on three of the ten songs. As strong as the playing is (and the interplay between Bunnett and the pianists is consistently delightful), the rich melodies (five by Vitier, one from Flynn and four obscurities) are most memorable. Influenced by classical music and the pianist's Cuban heritage, the highly appealing themes stick in one's mind long after the CD is finished. Several of the tunes could very well catch on as standards in the future, if enough musicians hear this CD. Recommended, as are all of Jane Bunnett's recordings to date. 

~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/jane-bunnett-and-the-cuban-piano-masters-mw0000185691

Personnel: Jane Bunnett (flute, soprano saxophone); Frank Emilio Flynn, Frank Flynn , Jose María Vitier (piano); Carlos del Puerto (acoustic bass).

Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters

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Jane Bunnett, Don Pullen - New York Duets

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:52
Size: 139.4 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[ 5:47] 1. Bye-Ya
[ 5:37] 2. Ginastera
[11:12] 3. Double Arc Jake
[ 4:01] 4. For Merceditas
[ 8:03] 5. Main Street
[ 4:40] 6. Make Someone Happy
[ 4:53] 7. Nice Work
[ 5:00] 8. The Wanderer
[ 6:10] 9. Gratitude
[ 5:25] 10. Little Rootie Tootie

This strong outing matches together Jane Bunnett on soprano and flute and the great pianist Don Pullen. The adventurous music holds on to the tradition of chordal improvisation yet is also quite free in spots. Pullen's rhythmic playing makes his solos seem more accessible and traditional than they really were and it is to Bunnett's great credit that she keeps up with him. In addition to six of their originals, the duo performs a pair of complex Thelonious Monk songs ("Bye-Ya" and "Little Rootie Tootie") and a Cuban theme "For Merceditas." Thought-provoking and unpredictable music. ~Scott Yanow

New York Duets

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Jane Bunnett & Maqueque - Oddara

Size: 125,2 MB
Time: 53:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz, World, Country
Art: Front

01. Little Feet (4:15)
02. Dream (4:32)
03. El Chivo (5:56)
04. New Moves (4:03)
05. Songs For You (5:40)
06. Power Of Two (Ibeyi) (4:58)
07. La Flamenca Maria (6:54)
08. Eulogy (4:35)
09. Tres Golpes (3:36)
10. Chagui Guaso (4:16)
11. Cafe Pillon (4:41)

Four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee, and Officer of the Order of Canada, soprano saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett & Maqueque is set to release “Oddara”.

Jane Bunnett’s continuing quest to seek out and present musical talent untapped and unheard beyond the confines of the island nohas led her down many roads, and it was during a trip 30 years ago to Havana, Cuba she discovered then-unknown musicians and formed the all-star ensemble Maqueque (pronounced “Mah-Keh-Keh”, meaning “the energy of a young girl’s spirit.”) Their 2014 self-titled debut CD was awarded a much-deserved Juno Award for Best Group Jazz Album of the Year.

Jane Bunnett’s assembly of all-star Cuban musicians, the sextet which includes herself and five extraordinary young females, ensured a spotlight for their fluid, seamless music. “Everything I’ve done,” Jane says with pride, “has led up to this group, which is the perfect vehicle for now.” Maqueque currently includes Yissy Garcia on drums, Dánae Olano on piano, Magdelys Savigne on batá drums and congas, Elizabeth Rodriguez on violin and vocals and Celia Jiménez on bass. Maqueque often features guest stars Melvis Santa on percussion and vocals, as well as Dayme Arocena assisting vocals.

Oddara

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Hilario Durán - Francisco's Song

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:22
Size: 154.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[6:29] 1. Francisco's Song
[3:39] 2. Medley Matamoros
[6:06] 3. Lush Life
[9:23] 4. For Emiliano
[5:14] 5. Esto Si Tiene Que Ver
[1:59] 6. Giant Steps
[5:13] 7. Confession
[5:37] 8. Tiembla Tierra
[5:45] 9. Suavecito
[4:28] 10. Conqueta Conquín
[5:20] 11. Days Dreams
[4:34] 12. Esperando La Carroza
[3:27] 13. Hot House

Hilario Durán - piano; Jane Bunnett - flute (tracks 1 and 5) and soprano saxophone (tracks 4, 12 and 13); Alain Caron - bass (tracks 1, 6, 8, 11 and 13); Sonny Greenwich - guitar (tracks 1, 7, 11 and 13).

After studying music at The Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana in 1981, Hilario joined Arturo Sandoval's group where he stayed until 1990. During this time he performed as a jazz pianist at major jazz festivals around the world, sharing stages with such outstanding musicians as Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Michel Legrand, Wynton Marsalis and many others. Hilario has worked as musical arranger, producer and pianist on many recordings with a variety of artists in Cuba and abroad. When Arturo Sandoval left Cuba, Hilario began his own group and truely came into his own. In 1991 he joined Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Frank Emilio on Jane Bunnett's Juno Award winning CD "Spirits of Havana".

"I would like to thank Jane Bunnett and Larry Cramer for the great support that they gave me and their entire help in making my record possible. My thanks to Jim West for trusting me to perform in this project. Thanks to Sarah Bunnett-Gibson for her patience and dedication, to Thompson Highway for letting me use his own piano generously, to Chucho Valdés for the support and help throughout all my professional career. Also thanks to Alain Caron for offering all his talent on this record, to Sonny Greenwich for the possibility of working together, and to Denis Cadieux and Ian Terry for their great ears. I dedicate this album to the memory of Emiliano Salvador and all the pianists in Cuba, and to all the Cuban musicians to keep maintaining their roots all over the world."

Francisco's Song

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Jane Bunnett - Cuban Odyssey

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:00
Size: 153.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[ 3:08] 1. Arrival
[ 6:07] 2. Quítate El Chaquetón
[ 8:08] 3. La Rumba
[12:19] 4. Suite Matanzas
[ 9:59] 5. Pensando En Jane
[ 6:27] 6. El Diablo
[ 3:27] 7. Nan Fonn Bwaa
[ 2:00] 8. Alabans
[ 4:39] 9. Prizon
[ 7:47] 10. Ron Con Ron
[ 2:53] 11. Movin' On

Jane Bunnett's love of Cuban music is demonstrated in this collaboration with over 80 Cuban musicians and her husband, trumpeter Larry Cramer. Although Bunnett is the leader, she is also very comfortable taking a backseat during numbers featuring the larger groups. Most tracks were recorded during their visit to Cuba as they moved around the country, covering traditional tunes such as the percussive and fun-filled "Quitate el Chaqueton," "A la Rhumba," and "El Diablo," with the infectious rhythm and heartfelt vocals adding to the fun of the sessions. Three songs feature a stunning ten-piece vocal choir, Desandann, who sing in Patios, the language of their Haitian ancestors. The session is highlighted by Bunnett's lyrical flute (especially on "Nan Fon Bwaa") and her spirited soprano sax (showcased on her originals "Arrival" and "Movin' On"). It is impossible to listen to this CD and not be caught up in the celebration; this highly recommended CD is easily one of Jane Bunnett's greatest accomplishments during her career. ~Ken Dryden

Cuban Odyssey

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Various - Cuban All Jazz

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:59
Size: 171.6 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Salsa
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[7:33] 1. Juan Pablo Torres - Moonlight Serenade
[6:46] 2. Michael Philip Mossman - Mambanita
[5:53] 3. Julio Barreto Cuban Quartet - Latineo
[5:52] 4. Tony Perez - Encanto
[6:36] 5. Frank Chastenier - Habana
[5:43] 6. Humberto Ramírez - El Ministro
[6:21] 7. Paoli Mejias - Asora
[6:55] 8. Humberto Ramírez - A Puerto Rico
[3:35] 9. Juan Pablo Torres - Ensalada De Mambo
[4:20] 10. Julio Barreto - Caravan
[8:50] 11. Jane Bunnett - Spirits Of Havana
[6:30] 12. Sebastian Schunke - Mi Sueño (My Spanish Dream)

The first compilation "CUBAN ALL JAZZ," took care of young gifted artists as Michael Philipp MOSSMAN, Jane BUNNETT, Sebastian SCHUNKE, Julio BARRETO and Humberto RAMIREZ. But don't forget the already established stars of Latin Music, as Paquito D'RIVERA, Chucho VALDES, Arturo SANDOVAL, Juan Pablo TORRES or Patato VALDES, who were a fixed component in any Cuban music repertoire.

Cuban All Jazz

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Jane Bunnett & Maqueque - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 49:44

Size: 113.8 MB

Styles: Cuban jazz

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[3:45] 1. Papineau

[6:11] 2. Maqueque

[4:41] 3. Tormenta

[3:53] 4. Guajira

[4:22] 5. Ain's No Sunshine When She's Gone

[4:20] 6. New Angel

[5:34] 7. Mamey Colorado

[6:43] 8. Canto A Babba

[5:19] 9. De La Habana A Canada

[4:51] 10. Song For Haiti

Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett has introduced a lot of great Cuban musicians to North American audiences over the past couple of decades, including Dafnis Prieto, Yosvanny Terry, Pedrito Martínez, and David Virelles. Now she has assembled an exciting new sextet featuring the finest young women musicians in Cuba. Maqueque consists of Jane and virtuoso drummer Yissy García, dynamic percussionist Dayme, Yusa on tres guitar and fretless bass, pianist Danae, and Magdelys on batás and congas. All are great vocalists as well as instrumentalists, and all are in their early twenties, except Yusa who’s a little older. Their blend of traditional Cuban music with folkloric rhythms and jazz has a broad appeal.

Jane Bunnett & Maqueque

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