Without Latino jazz musicians, the world would not be honored with the joy of listening to Latino jazz music, in which they inject their rhythms into the genre and create this unique and danceable blend.
The most fitting homage to Latino Jazz was played last Tuesday at the UTSA Recital Hall, by none other than the UTSA Jazz Ensemble. The concert started with the rhythm section on the left side of the hall. The vibraphone began with a playful beat, followed by the piano that kept it going. Then the electric guitar, the bass and the two drum sets continued with their cymbals overpowering the set in a timely way. They were passing the tune like a tennis ball, with then everyone playing together in contradictory harmony. This song was “500 Miles High” by Chick Corea.
The brass section arrived next. They sat down and suddenly the piano started to play “Splanky” by Count Basie, in which the five saxophones, three trombones and three trumpets filled the atmosphere with the detective-like song.
It was now time for the Latino jazz portion of the concert. The guitar, trombone, piano and vibraphone lead the way of “Camisa Negra” by Dan Torosian. People were tapping their feet and moving their heads, some even snapping their fingers to the rhythm. The next song was “Funtime” by Sammy Nestico. The setlist was getting livelier with each song, reminiscing of a fancy meal in a three Michelin-star restaurant.
The hall was now enjoying “Recorda Me” by Joe Henderson. Saxophones had perplexing solos that were rewarded with applause. Then the trumpet had a solo as complicated as the saxophone, with the piano having one as well. The people were impressed, to say the least, applauding at every solo. “Mambo Inn” by Mario Bauza and Count Basie was the second to last song, this was the one that had the most feet tapping and finger snapping of the setlist. It is a concert hall after all, yet if the unwritten concert protocol did not include sitting down, the event-goers would have definitely stood up to dance. It was difficult to not dance to the song; the people were itching to stand up, restricting themselves to just give the biggest applause of the night.
Lastly, it was time for “Funky Cha-Cha” by Arturo Sandoval. It was the perfect ending for a Latino jazz night. The people were captivated by how each instrument was working together doing their own thing. The rhythm section kicked off the night and ended the set with the most impressive drum solos that lasted about two minutes. Trumpets and saxophones were joining in too, ending the show in the most sensational way.
“As someone who never enjoyed jazz music, I genuinely liked it.” said marketing sophomore Asar Hicks, after changing his mind completely upon seeing the performance.
Gabrielle Byfield, a Junior in Cybersecurity, concurs by saying, “I really liked it, I thought they played some really fun pieces. And they all came together really well when they played songs, like all of them. I’ve had Funky Cha-Cha on repeat, it left a mark on me.”
The concert was thrilling and invigorating, changing the mindsets of people who were not into the genre and confirming the love of jazz for others. It was indeed the finest rendition of Latino Jazz music.
