HECTOR CONTRERAS & HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE (2006)
Hector Contreras - Piano & Keyboards
Raul Pineda - Drums & Timbales
Rigoberto Lopez - Bass
Walter Valencia - congas, Bongos & Percussion
Serafin Aguilar - Lead Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Arturo Solar - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Frank Fontaine - Tenor, Soprano-sax & Flute
Brendon Mc Mullin - Trombone
EMILIE'S GARDEN MUSIC PRODUCTIONS
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review by Chip Boaz - Courtesy The Latin Jazz Corner
Music reflects an artist’s life, revealing both their current musical state and developmental path. Young musicians often create frenetic and overwhelming music, filled with fresh and creative approaches. They live in a constant state of development, exploring their chosen art form’s possibilities. Some musicians produce passionate and insightful music, expressing a search for understanding. Their art has evolves into an exploration of their own voice and spirituality. Other musicians write comfortably smooth music, wrapped into a slick product. These musicians take the quick road, aiming limited skills at profit rather than creativity. Pianist Hector Contreras displays a joyful exuberance on his debut release Hector Contreras & His Latin Jazz Ensemble revealing a strong musical foundation built upon a life of varied experiences.
Displaying Extensive Latin Music Experience Through Songwriting
Contreras’ songwriting exposes years of musical study and immersion in Latin music. “Pasadena Cha-Cha” contains a traditional feel that starts with Contreras’ minor montuno and moves into an expressive melody. Flautist Danilo Lozano provides a short solo that references classic Cuban flute approaches. A funk aesthetic underlies the clave on “Its All Good,” pushed forward by a rhythmic melody and drummer Raul Pineda’s backbeat. Bassist Rigoberto Lopez’s slap bass drives the song further into funk before Contreras revives a Latin Jazz feel with a Timba influenced montuno and a melodic solo. The band dips into Brazilian music with “Samba For You,” a piece geared for radio play. The song’s spacious melody and string synthesizer patches maintain the calm feel, broken only by an energetic solo by Frank Fontaine on Soprano Sax. The group delves into a more sensitive approach with the bolero “Tu Y Yo,” anchored by Arturo Solar’s insightful reading of the melody on Flugelhorn. Contreras breathes life into every note of his solo until the band builds into a Cha Cha Cha for Solar’s trumpet solo. Contreras uses familiar harmonies to imply a flamenco undertone on “Un Dia En España,” while maintaining a firmly Cuban rhythmic basis. This interesting combination allows for a variety of different songwriting approaches and a trumpet solo from Solar, full of unique flare. Contreras’ varied and creative songwriting approaches reflect a lifelong exploration of Latin styles, combined with his musical invention.
A Bandleader’s Contagious Musical Enthusiasm
The players respond to Contreras’ vision throughout the album, providing several attention grabbing performances. The joyous feel behind the melody of “Firehouse” moves forward into a strong improvisation from trumpet player Serafin Aguilar. Fontaine grabs hold of the Songo rhythm with his tenor sax solo, providing rhythmic syncopations and assertive melodic statements. The 6/8 feel on “La Perla Del Caribe” provides a solid vehicle for conguero Walter Valencia, who extensively explores the rhythm. Contreras display an affinity for modern Cuban timba through his dynamic piano work on “Fantasy Of Shell,” both funky and clave driven. Aguilar responds enthusiastically, building a series of rhythmic ideas into the high end of his register. Fontaine immediately seizes the energy as well, filling his biting tone with long lines full of quick notes. The band provides a series of rhythmic punches in “C.J. Max,” leaving room for Raul Pineda’s subtle timbale fills. After a melodic interlude, both Aguilar and Fontaine provide rhythmically rich improvisations. Contreras asserts a contagious musical enthusiasm, which translates to strong support from his sidemen.
A Reflection of A Wise Bandleader
Contreras brings the experience and musical dedication of a lifetime to his first release, building his experiences into a commanding presence. A Los Angeles influence runs through the production and arranging work, maintaining a solid sound and a funky edge. Contreras’ extensive experience with several Latin genres and obvious dedication to the style brings an authentic edge and a serious tone to the musicianship. His appreciation for life and the art of music creation contributes a positive energy throughout the CD and an enthusiastic performance, full of life. Contreras’ current musical state exhibits a wise and experienced persona; a musician clearly arriving as a bandleader after years of supporting others that creates with the exuberance of a young musician discovering performance for the first time.
in collaboration with
THE LATIN JAZZ CORNER by Chip Boaz
