Featured Artist: Oscar Perez

CD Title: Nuevo Comienzo

Year: 2005

Record Label: Own Release

Style: Contemporary Jazz

Musicians:

Oscar Perez (piano), Greg Glassman (trumpet, flugelhorn), Stancy Dillard (saxophones), Anthony Perez (acoustic bass), Geoff Clapp (drums), Angel Desai (vocals), Emiliano Valerio (percussion), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Peter Bernstein ( guitar)

Review:

Prolific pianist and composer Oscar Perez delivers with his new release Nuevo Comienzo an amazing bouquet of Latin jazz compositions. Performed with Greg Glassman, Stacy Dillard, Anthony Perez, Angel Desai, Emiliano Valerio and special guests Wycliffe Gordon and Peter Berstein, this album is a wonderful collective work.

Perez blends his Latin rhythmic Cuban roots and American jazz with high skill. This young man is always searching for musical explorations and new ways to combine compositional forms.

The release of these tracks show a great interplay inside the group. Notable is trumpeter Greg Glassman, who sets a wonderful groove. Wycliffe Gordon and Stacy Dillard hold down the fort while Oscar Perez explores the piece, “Baile de K.”

Anthony Perez and Stancy Dillard create a great exchange of swing while the piano explores the tune “Hilltop Arrival” with an upbeat mood.  Brilliant are the voices of Gordon on trombone and Dillard playing the saxophones on “Borrowed ‘n Blues.” On this, Oscar Perez adds a degree of tension which allows a great solo from Gasman’s trumpet.

Already popular in South America where his compositions, groups and styles are admired, Oscar Perez travels with his Latin rhythms even as far as Siberia… He knows where and when to spark the salsa’s heat when cooking with Latin jazz!

Not only is Oscar Perez a musician very active on the New York scene, closely associated with The Colden Center, The Juilliard School and Jazz at Lincoln Center, but he is also the music director of the St Edward's Church in Harlem. His voice fits very well in many contexts, which proves his dexterity and passion for his art.

Nuevo Comienzo offers a broad range of styles coming close to near-perfection and intensity.

Tracks:

My Prelude, Baile de K, El Padrino, Borrowed ‘n Blue, Hilltop Arrival, Sweet Duality, Regalo, Solamente Todo, May, Early Endeavour, Nuevo Comienzo Motif

Artist's Website: http://www.oscarperezmusic.com

Reviewed by: Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez

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