JOSE' RIZO'S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS

Jose Rizo's "Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars" is a 15-piece all-star ensemble made up of legendary figures, world-class studio musicians, great jazz artists, and popular bandleaders. This tight ensemble was formed a few months after a big jam session at B. B. Kings on the Universal City Walk in the Los Angeles area.

Bandleader/jazz radio announcer Jose Rizo named the band after his latin jazz radio program "Jazz on the Latin Side" on KKJZ 88.1 FM (KJazz) in Long Beach, California. The "Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars" proudly represent KJazz where ever they perform. This versatile ensemble feels as comfortable playing progressive latin jazz as it does playing tremendous salsa dura.

Ensemble members and rotating members include Justo Almario (tenor sax), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums), Danilo Lozano (flute / musical director), Francisco Aguabella (congas), Poncho Sanchez (congas), Alex Acuna (drums), Freddie Crespo (lead vocals / timbales), Francisco Torres (trombone / prime arranger), Rene Camacho (bass), Bijon Watson (trumpet), Sal Cracchiolo (trumpet), Robert Incelli (alto sax), Scott Martin (baritone sax), Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), Eric Jorgensen (trombone), Joey De Leon (congas), Alfredo Ortiz (bongo / vocals), Andy Martin (trombone), Jimmy Branly (timbales), Joe Rotondi (piano),and Luis Eric Gonzalez (trumpet).

"The Last Bullfighter", their first recording as an ensemble, reached #10 on the national jazz charts (Jazz Week). This CD included popular originals like "The Last Bullfighter", "Sun God", "Cozumel", "Justo's Trane Ride", "Mr. Drop", "Ironman James", and "Chupacabras", as well as recording exciting versions of Dizzy's "Bebop", Lee Morgan's "Caramba", Machito's "Yo Soy la Rumba" and "Saoco".

The "Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars" have recently performed at "The Playboy Jazz Festival" at the Hollywood Bowl, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Jazz at Drew, Yoshi's in Oakland, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, The Jazz Bakery, Catalina Jazz Club, Steamer's Jazz Club, The Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival, Latin Grammy After Party, and Santa Monica Pier Concerts.

Their new CD "Tambolero" is steadily climbing the national top-50 jazz charts (Jazz Week), debuting at #29. "Tambolero" includes a new set of originals like "Granizo", "Amanecer", "Danilo en la Flauta", "Senor Olmos" (dedicated to actor Edward James Olmos), and the rumba "Buscando al Curandero" (featuring Francisco Aguabella). "Tambolero" also includes exciting versions of Wayne Shorter's "Yes or No", Charlie Parker's "Ah Leu Cha", Poncho Sanchez's "Baila Mi Gente" (with Poncho Sanchez), and little-recorded salsa classics like "El Eco del Tambo" and "Mama Vieja". Many consider the "Tambolero" CD as the best-to-date from this historically significant jazz ensemble. Both CD's were recorded under Jose and Leticia Rizo's own label, 'Saungu Records". Visit us on-line at www.saungu.com

JOSE' RIZO'S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS' article

by Patricia Albela - LA Jazz Scene

JOSE' RIZO'S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS - TAMBOLERO (2007)

Justo Almario Tenor sax, clarinet, flute
Marvin "Smitty" Smith Drums
Alex Acuña Drums
Poncho Sanchez Congas
Joey De Leon Congas, batá, percussion
Jimmy Branly Timbales
Francisco Aguabella Congas, batá
Rene Camacho Bass
Joe Rotondi Piano
Alfredo Ortiz Vocals, bongo, percussion
Chris Barron Piano
Danilo Lozano Flute
Freddie Crespo Lead vocals
Scott Martin Baritone sax
Robert Incelli Alto sax
Eric Jorgensen, Andy Martin, Francisco Torres Trombones
Nijon Watson, Sal Cracchiolo, Ramon Flores, Gilbert Castellanos, Luis Eric Gonzalez Trumpets

review by Chip Boaz: JOSE' RIZO'S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS - TAMBOLERO (2007)

Granizo 6:29
Amanecer Intro :32
Amanecer 5:49
Ah Leu Cha 6:21
Yes Or No 7:49
Baila Mi Gente 6:27
Buscando Al Curandero 6:45
Danilo En La Flauta 5:09
Mama Vieja 5:40
Señor Olmos 7:13
El Eco Del Tambo 5:15
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

JOSE' RIZO'S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS - THE LAST BULLFIGHTER (2004)

Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars is a powerful 16-piece all star ensemble, made up of legendary figures, state-of-the-art studio musicians, and popular band leaders. Justo Almario, Alex Acuna, Francisco Aguabella, and Poncho Sanchez are the living legends in this ensemble, lead by KJAZZ jock Jose Rizo. This is the third CD in it's 5-year history

Alex Acuña Drums
Francisco Aguabella, Poncho Sanchez Congas
Justo Almario Tenor sax
Victor Baez Bongo
Jimmy Branly, Tiki Pasillas Timbales
Rene Camacho Bass
Sal Cracchiolo Trumpet
Freddie Crespo Lead vocals
Johnny Crespo Vocals, percussion
Joey De Leon Congas, percussion, vocal
Ramon Flores, Luis Eric Gonzalez, Bijon Watson Trumpet
Conrado "Coky" Garcia Percussion
Donald Vega Piano
Robert Incelli Alto sax
Eric Jorgensen, Francisco Torres, Arturo Velasco Trombone
Danilo Lozano Flute, vocals
Scott Martin Baritone sax
Pablo Mendez Violin
Alfredo Ortiz Bongo, percussion, vocals
Michito Sanchez Congas, bongo

JOSE RIZO'S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS - REVIEW

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Bebop

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Caramba

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - The Last Bullfighter

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Sun God

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Cozumel

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Justo's Trane Ride

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Mr. Drop

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Ironman James

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Chupacabras

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Saoco

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Rumba Intro

Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars - Yo Soy La Rumba

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS VOL.2 (2001)

Joe Rotondi Piano
Ramon Banda Timbales
Tony Banda Bass
Cougar Estrada Drums
Sal Cracchiolo Trumpet
Arturo Velasco Trombone
Michito Sanchez Bongos
Ramon Flores Trumpet
Francisco Torres Trombone
Luis Conte Congas
Justo Almario Tenor sax
George Ortiz Clave
Louie Perez Coro
Papo Rodriguez Bongos
Poncho Sanchez Congas
Francisco Aguabella Bata (Iya)
Tiki Pasillas Timbales
Danilo Lozano Flute
Al McKibbon Bass
Alex Acuña Percussion

Intro 00:15
Descarga Borgers 6:18
Jazz On The Latin Side 8:50
Presentimiento 5:58
What If? 5:28
Mambo Niles 7:46
Mckibbon Walks The Talk 20:18

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS VOL.1 (2000)

Otmaro Ruiz Piano
Rene Camacho Bass
Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas Timbales
Michito Sanchez, Poncho Sanchez Congas
Jose De Leon, Jose "Papo" Rodriguez Bongos
Cougar Estrada Drums
Sal Crachiolo, Ramon Flores Trumpet
Robert Incelli Alto sax
Justo Almario Tenor sax
Joe Rotondi Piano
Al McKibbon Bass
Louie Perez, Juan Carlos Quintero Guitar
Ramon Banda, Tony Banda, George Ortiz, Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas Percussion
Susie Hansen Violin
Luis Conte Percussion
Freddie Crespo Percussion
Francisco Torres, Arturo Velasco Trombone
Alex Acuña, Francisco Aguabella Perussion
Asdru Sierra Vocals
Danilo Lozano Flute