CD Review: Daniel Smith - Bassoon Goes Latin Jazz

CD Review: Daniel Smith - Bassoon Goes Latin Jazz







Even though it has been played occasionally by musicians like Illinois Jacquet and Yusef Lateef, the bassoon is an uncommon instrument in jazz, even more in a latin jazz band. The basoon is an instrument with a gentle sound mostly used in a classical orchestra setting. So the strong percussion in a latin jazz band has to be careful not to overwhelm the sound of the bassoon.
Neil Clarke is successful in playing a lighter percussion yet strong enough to keep the required feel and flavor of a latin jazz band.

The album starts strong with Lee Morgan's "Mr. Kenyatta" and nice basson and trombone improvisations on the classic by Herbie Hancock, "Watermelon Man". The pace slow down a little on "Black Orpheus" and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "So Danço Samba". The lighter sound of the Bossa Nova allows the beautiful sound of the bassoon to be fully appreciated.

Bassist Michael O'Brien adds some powerful yet melodic solos on the boogaloo like, Listen Here. On the CD notes, Smith says, Charlie Parker "Yardbird Suite" was played over a samba beat, but it sounds very similar to the rhythms of Bomba music from Puerto Rico. Maybe this just goes to show the striking similarities of african influenced rhythms all over latin-america.

The brazilian rhythms on "Korg In" and the bossa arrangements of Horace Silver "Peace, demonstrates the huge influence of Brasil music on jazz musicians.Everyone contributes outstanding solos on the energetic rendition of Gillespie's Manteca. The album close with the danceable "Come Candela" a Mongo Santamaria composition and the strong clave of the "Mambo from the Dance at the Gym"

Tracks: Mr. Kenyatta, Watermelon Man, So Danco Samba, Listen Here, Black Orpheus, Yardbird Suite, Manteca, Korg In, Peace, The Chicken, Come Candela, Mambo from the Dance at the Gym

Musicians: Daniel Smith - Basoon, Daniel Kelly - piano, Michael O'Brien - bass, Vincent Ector - drums, Neil Clarke - percussion