Valera, Manuel

Mavo, 2022, CD
Instrument: Piano

Issue: 28.1

Jazz Ruler Type: Latin
O's Jazz Ruler

Performance: 4
Performance Chart

Sound: 4
Sound Chart

Score: 87
Score Chart

O’s Notes: Pianist, composer Manuel Valera’s New Cuban Express Big Band follows their strong debut with Distancia, equally excellent, with all original music. The combination of Latin percussion and Valera’s punctuated keystrokes along with horn accents make this music easily embraceable starting with “Expectativas” and moving to rich brass harmonies on “Gemini”. Manuel dazzles us on “From The Ashes” along with soprano saxophonist Michael Thomas. Camila Meza adds voice on two selections notably “Pathways”. We also enjoyed “Remembered” featuring Alex Goodman (g), Andy Clausen (tb) and David Smith (t).

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Publicist: Two for the Show Media