Jazzin'Jazzin' TheHistoryof Womenin JazzPart I

CD Reviews:

Papo Vazquez

Cafezz

Gema Corredera

Interviewwith JaniceMaisonet

Feb-April 2016

Puerto Rico Jazz Guide.

Photo bySue Vega

Jazz FestReviews

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WOMEN IN JAZZEven though Jazz music Is generallyEven though Jazz music Is generallyseen as a men's world, Womenseen as a men's world, Womenhave contributed throughout thehave contributed throughout thejazz history, as performers,jazz history, as performers,composers, songwriters andcomposers, songwriters andbandleaders. While women arebandleaders. While women areusually famous as jazz Singers; Billieusually famous as jazz Singers; BillieHoliday and Ella Fitzgerald thereHoliday and Ella Fitzgerald thereare plenty of example of Womenare plenty of example of Womenrecognized as great contributors torecognized as great contributors tojazz as composers, bandleadersjazz as composers, bandleadersand instrumental performers. Oneand instrumental performers. Oneof the First jazz instrumentalistof the First jazz instrumentalistwas piano player Lil Hardinwas piano player Lil HardinArmstrong, originally a member ofArmstrong, originally a member ofKing Oliver's band with LouisKing Oliver's band with LouisArmstrong and went on to playArmstrong and went on to playpiano in Armstrong's band the Hotpiano in Armstrong's band the HotFive.Five. Lovie Austin (1887–1972) was anotherLovie Austin (1887–1972) was anotherpiano player and bandleader. Valaidapiano player and bandleader. ValaidaSnow (1904–1956), trumpet player,Snow (1904–1956), trumpet player,was known as "Little Louis".was known as "Little Louis".Great women jazz songwritersGreat women jazz songwritersinclude Irene Higginbotham (1918-1988)include Irene Higginbotham (1918-1988)who wrote "Good Morningwho wrote "Good MorningHeartache". Ann Ronell (1905–1993)Heartache". Ann Ronell (1905–1993)wrote "Willow Weep for Me" andwrote "Willow Weep for Me" andDorothy Fields (1905–1974) wrote theDorothy Fields (1905–1974) wrote thelyrics for more than 400 songs. Shelyrics for more than 400 songs. Sheco-wrote "The Way You Lookco-wrote "The Way You LookTonight" with Jerome Kern, whichTonight" with Jerome Kern, whichwon the 1936 Oscar for Best Song.won the 1936 Oscar for Best Song.She co-wrote several jazz standardsShe co-wrote several jazz standardswith Jimmy McHugh, such aswith Jimmy McHugh, such as"Exactly Like You". "On the Sunny"Exactly Like You". "On the SunnySide of the Street" and "I Can't GiveSide of the Street" and "I Can't GiveYou Anything but Love, Baby"You Anything but Love, Baby"

While Billie Holiday is best knownas a singer, she co-wrote "GodBless the Child" and "Don't Explain"with Arthur Herzog, Jr. and shepenned the blues song "Fine andMellow". On the next issue, moreabout women instrumentalists inJazz. Article by Jazzin Magazine

Jazzin: Where were youborn? And tell me aboutyour beginnings

I was born in Manati but I was raised inFlorida. It was there in third grade that Istarted taking music lessons at the JuanitaRamirez Elementary School. On the fourthgrade I started studying saxophone withProfessor Axel Delgado.

In 2005 I went to the University of PuertoRico to study Music Education. It was therethat I got in contact with Jazz music thanksto Professor Samuel Morales. After that Iauditioned and was accepted in the Jazz andCaribbean Music Program at the MusicConservatory of Puerto Rico. At theConservatory I studied with great Professorslike Marco Pignataro, Ricardo Pons, NorbertoOrtiz and David Sánchez And played withgreat Masters like Luis Marín, BrendaHopkins, Elías Santos Celpa, y CharlieSepúlveda. As soon as I completed my studies at theConservatory in 2012 I, I started working as amusic Professor at the Art School in Carolina.

I've played with some of the best jazzmusicians in Puerto Rico. And some artistsoutside the Jazz scene like Tego Calderón, LaBanda Atención Atención, Gilberto SantaRosa, Luis Perico Ortiz, jazz master CharlieSepúlveda, and Orquesta Panamericana.Currently I'm working in a trio project withonly female musicians called Amina. and withmy Jazz Trio Los Supersonicos. I also worked with Master Saxophonist AngelTorres on his project Saxitud, and recordedwith Gerson Orjuela and the group Sr.LangostaPhotos by Sue Vega

And from there, wheredid you study?

What about yourprofessional experience

JAZZIN INTERVIEW: JANICE MAISONETJAZZIN INTERVIEW: JANICE MAISONET

Janice Maisonet is one of the most talentedyoung musicians in the Puerto Rico Jazz scene.

JAZZIN INTERVIEW: JANICE MAISONETJAZZIN INTERVIEW: JANICE MAISONET

Gema Corredera: Beyond the Music by Rosalia Ortiz Luquis After her awarded solo albums "Derramando Luz" (2013) and"Feeling Marta" (2015), singer Gema Corredera will perform forthe first time as a soloist in Puerto Rico on Saturday, June 18,8:00pm, at the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan. With a new sound and accompanied by master pianist RobertoCarcasses, as musical director, Gema will present a unique concertthat will include songs from their solo productions, as well assome old favorites from his well remembered career as a memberof the acclaimed duo Gema and Pavel.Through the perfectionism of her interpretations and improvisedscats, Gema Corredera has become the quintessential Cubansinger of the post-fílin generation. Her style, seasoned by theinfluences of his Cuban roots, as well as Brazilian music, opera andflamenco, incorporating elements of jazz fused with Cuban rumba,son, bolero and "fílin" creates a brilliant compilation of uniquecontemporary Cuban music. Her incredible vocal range andinterpretive versatility is described by many as an intimate style,refined, original and seductive, able to captivate everyone wholistens. Carcasses, for this occasion will travel with Cuba teachersmusicians Oliver Valdés (drums) and Feliciano Arango (bass). Asspecial guests, Puerto Rico, will be singer ILE (Ileana Cabra / PG13)and musicians Ricardo Pons and Daniel Diaz. The artistic directionwill be in charge of the internationally renowned Cuban actressand director Beatriz Valdés. Tickets at (www.tcpr.com o 787-792-5000)

Jazz Fests in PuertoRico

The first 4 months of the year are the busiest inPuerto Rico in terms of Jazz music. Every Yearstarts with the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam at the TeatroTapia. This event organized by trumpet playerHumberto Ramírez is a two day fest that takesplace the last week of January. This year startedwith the music of bassist Samuel Morales Quintetand saxophonist Ivan Renta. The second day atribute to Cal Tjader was the first act, followed bythe Humberto Ramírez Bohemia Jazz; bolerofused with jazz. Some of the best singers fromPuerto Rico accompanied Humberto; AndyMontañez, Chicho Avellanet, Dagmar, Nydia Caro,Michelle Brava and Carola Ausbury.

After the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam, the MusicConservatory of Puerto Rico and theInteramerican University joins in the jazzcelebration with their respective festivals. Thesefests present mostly music by the excellentProfessors of these two institutions. One of the newest additions to the jazz events iiPuerto Rico is the Luquillo Beach Jazz Fest, lastweek of May and organized by Master trumpetplayer Charlie Sepulveda. This year saxophonistJonathan Suazo was among the artists playing atthe fest. Also as a special guest, singer JonSecada paying tribute to the music of Bent Moré . But the most important jazz Fest in Puerto Ricoand maybe in the caribbean is the Heineken JazzFest in the month of March. The 2016 edition wasdedicated to music legend Ray Santos. This Festalways presents a combination of local andinternational musicians. From Puerto Rico theseyear acts were Henry Cole with his eclectic musicon the first day followed by Pirulo Jazz Project.Charlie Sepulveda and Ralph Irizarry latinrhythms filled the night on the second date. Andthe fusion of jazz and bomba by saxophonistFurito Rios delighted the audience on Saturdaynight.The International artists for the 2016 editionwere guitarist from Argentina Luis Salinas, cubansaxophonist Paquito D'Rivera, mexican drummerAntonio Sánchez and on the last night, thebeautiful voice and swing of italian singerRoberta Gambarini. Photos by Wilbert Sostre

PUERTO RICO JAZZPUERTO RICO JAZZ FESTFESTSS

Papo VázquezSpirit WarriorTrombonist Papo Vázquez album Spirit Warriorcontinues the great jazz Legacy of this Puerto Ricantrombonist. Great melodic ballads, Goodbyes foryou and In this Lovely Place are balanced with morecomplex Compositions like Bumbo con Bamba andKerepakupai Vena. All compositions, Huraca’n; ElMorro; Bumbo Con Bamba; The Little People; TheMole; No Goodbyes For You (Requiem For HiltonRuiz); Salto Angel; Palo Incao; McCoy; In This LonelyPlace; Roller Coaster; Despedida; Kerepakupai Vena,are delivered with Mastery and flawlesness by PapoVázquez and Hits Mighty Pirates Troubadours.

The second album of Cafezz builds up on their debutalbum. Sol Boricua contains the diversity of soundsand styles delivered o their first album. It can be saidthis one is even more diverse and rich in sounds. So ifyou liked the contagious and Smooth sounds ofCafezz, you will love Sol Boricua and El CafetalFolkloric feel, the classical mood of Antes que salga laluna, and Desde mi balcón, the cuban influences onCortadito or the rock/funk on Just 4 Funk. A Projectwell concieved by Pianist Carmen Noemi, Bassist EguiSierra and the group of wonderful musicians, HéctorMatos: drums; Pedro Guzman: Puerto Rican cuatro (1);Jose Robert Jimenez: flute (2, 4, 8) tenor sax (6);Christian Galindez: percussion (1, 4, 6); Waldemarreyes: percussion: 2, 5, 8, 10, 11); Norberto “Tiko” Ortiz:tenor sax ( 3, 9); Luis Amed Irizarry: oboe (5); JorgeLaboy: electric guitar (7); Joel torres: electric guitar (9);Bryan Muñoz: acoustic guitar (11); Edgardo Sierra Jr.:alto sax (11).

On Feeling Marta, singer Gema Corredera, Playstribute to cuban Composer Marta Valdés. The resultis a wonderful song collection filled with feelingand and delivered by the Soulful and Beautifulvoice of Gema Corredera.Corredera jazz influenced phrasing along with hercuban heritage are a perfect combination for themusic of Marta Valdés; Canción del año nuevo, Noes preciso, and Aunque no te vi llegar. PianistRoberto Carcasses was the Pianist and musicaldirector, Crlos Ríos the Bassist, and Yipsi García thedrummer on this highly reccomended album for allthose feeling aficionados

Cafezz Sol Boricua

Gema Coredera.Feeling Marta

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