Matos, Bobby
Lifeforce, 2026, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 32.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Latin
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 84
O’s Notes: We revisit the music of the late Latin jazz percussionist, Bobby Matos and his Heritage Ensemble with this previously unreleased, live recording. The venue was La Pena in Berkeley, California in 2007, an impromptu date just before the San Jose Jazz Festival. Bobby Matos (timbales, vocal), is joined by Judson “Jud” Matos (perc, vocal), Robertito Meléndez (congas, vocal), Theo Saunders (p), John B. Williams (b), Frank Fontaine Jr. (t-sax, fl), Danny Weinstein (tb, violin), Anthony Blea (violin), and Avotcja Jiltonilro (spoken word). The sixteen selections are captured on two discs, and it is more than a warmup for the Festival! Highlights are “Cubop Bailable”, “All Blues”, “Cuban Fantasy”, and “Free South Africa”.
Publicist: Kate Smith Promotions of Chicago
