Valera, Manuel
Greenleaf Music, 2021, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 27.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Latin
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 86
O’s Notes: Manuel leads a large ensemble through seven Latin, festive tunes including vocals by Camila Meza and Sofia Rei with lyrics that resonate with today’s social and political issues. The sound is large and also concentrated as on “El Enemigo Brutal” featuring bassist Ricky Rodriguez and Mauricio Herrera (perc). The horns are happy, harmonized, and well-integrated with Valera’s rhythm section, Alex Goodman (g), Ricky Rodriguez (b), Jimmy Macbride (d) and Samuel Torres (perc)) to make a joyful expression.
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
