FRANK VILLAFANE - SOUTH BEACH (2006)

Frank Villafañe's debut CD featuring five instrumenal Latin Jazz compositions. His style encompasses a blending of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, while haunting evocative melodies ride over the percussive mixture

review by Henry Mora

Henry Mora, Latin Jazz artist and Director, The Henry Mora Orchestra... “Fresh new sounds from pianist Frank Villafañe and his debut CD, South Beach, a musical excursion into life’s adventure. A breezy beach landscape, that pleases the senses considerably by taking you through an exciting musical journey of original melodies punctuated by Caribbean rhythms.

The repertoire is bright and tasty instrumental piano compositions in a style reminiscent of Ahmad Jamal’s and Eddie Cano’s legendary styles, although his noted musical influences are Eddie Palmieri, Pedro ‘Peruchin’ Justiz and Sergio Mendes (of Brazil ’66). This brings to mind the excellently arranged and interpreted Brazilian rhythms on two of the tunes, as well as definitive Salsa rhythms in clave on other tunes, all very well done. Frank may have musical heroes, having been influenced by legendary pianists, but he’s also an excellent arranger, composer and soloist on keyboard. Also worth mentioning is an outstanding vibraphone solo on I Heard The Bells.

Sit back in your beach chair, absorb the balmy Miami sun and cool off with a frozen piña colada while Frank Villafañe’s South Beach CD plays you a set of inspired, expressive, delightful and refreshing musical ideas that spark the imagination.

This album is nothing less than great Latin Jazz.”

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