Cachao on Bass
Alfredo Valdes, Jr. on Piano, Kiwzo Fumero on Trumpet, Jimmy Bosch
on Trombone,
Rafael Palau on Sax, Fedirico Brito on Violin, Richie Flores on
Conga,
Jimmy Delgado on Timbales, Anthony Columbie on Vocals, Daniel Palacio
on Coro
Cachao,
born in Cuba in 1918,
began his career playing bongos with a group at age eight, prior to joining Arcano
Orchestra (1937 –
1949). In
1962, Cachao left Cuba to work with Ernesto
Duarte in Spain and soon arrived in New York. He performed with the Charlie
Palmieri Orchestra and Machito, among others. In the
1970's Cachao moved to Las Vegas and
then to Miami, where he was finally re-discovered in the
1980's in a documentary made with actor fan, Andy Garcia. In
1993, at the film's release, Cachao was invited
to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Cachao is now 86 and works in Miami
with Emilio Estafan.
Tonight's second set at
Blue Note brought
the renowned Cachao (I've been listening to his CD's for years and find them
magnetic and magical, transporting me to a tropical island, every time) on stage
right away with energetic his 10-piece Latin band. They broke into rambunctious
Latin mambo, following a classically fused, abstract, solo bass introduction.
Cachao created a conversation with bass and timbales, as they mimicked and complemented
each other, right up to the end, with massive, vibrating sound. The steel edge of
Jimmy Delgado's timbales was backed by Jimmy Bosch on trombone, before
Bosch took the theme and went wild. Cachao played with bass percussion,
as he slapped his bass for added effects. At times, Cachao let his bass stand alone
and reverberate with undulating sound. Cachao interacts with his bass, like
man to woman, and he seems to get whatever musical effect he desires.
Why! Why Not? involved
audience participation, and the audience chanted on cue with clavé beat. The cymbals
and Latin percussive instruments created a perfect Salsa foot rhythm, on beats 2,
6, 7 count. Soon musicians were chanting and dancing and using wooden percussion,
just as Jimmy Bosch took a sliding solo, and then this band was on fire!
Fedirico Brito on violin then created a frenzied duet with Cachao,
which merged into a softer, danceable rhumba. Before we saw what was happening,
the band left the stage and wound through the audience, who loudly and excitedly
chanted with Cachao. The next song, introduced by Bosch's trombone
and Kiwzo Fumero's trumpet, drew Cachao into abstract bass effects.
This musician is almost 87 years old, and he kept his music challenging and charismatic.
Before we knew what was happening, Richie Flores and Anthony Columbie
were on the floor, playing a tempting trio on conga and vocals, and Flores used
his arm and elbow for muffling tones.
Delgado on timbales was soon joined by Rafael Palau on sax, moving
from back row to front center. Solo riffs were presented on sax, piano (Alfredo
Valdes, Jr. on Bosendorfer), and violin, with a hint of brass in the backup.
This was the summer's greatest dance event, but no dance floor was in sight!
Yet, hearts and souls danced a raging mambo with this magnificent, Cuban bassist
and his 10-piece Latin band. Kudos to Cachao at age 86 plus!
Jimmy Delgado and Jimmy
Bosch
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Osi, Guest, with Federico
Brito
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Publishing Date: 04/05/2006
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