Where to go toJazz Up yourNight inPuerto Rico

Jazzin'

Interview:

Puerto Rico

Jazz Master

Charlie

Sepúlveda

The Best of 2015

Jazz Fests

ISSUE 07/ November 2015- January 2016 Jazzin'Puerto Rico Jazz Guide

Photo byCarmenSepulveda

Jazzin'

Publisher & Editor: Wilbert Sostre

wsostre@gmail.com

Contributing Photographers:

Carmen Sepulveda (Charlie Sepulveda

Photos)

Wilbert Sostre (Jazz Fest Photos)

Contributing Writers: Wilbert Sostre

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Jazzin Magazine Interview:Charlie Sepulveda

Jazzin: When was your first experience? CS: I played in the Big Bands at school. There we played somejazz. But professionally I started when I was 15, playing Salsa.I worked with Chamaco Rivera and Willie Rosario. I also waspart of Batacumbele, when Juancito Torres could not play Iwas his substitute. From there I went to the Apollo Sound. When I was around 18 I started playing with Bobby Valentin.That was my Alma Mater in terms of orchestras.

Jazzin: Did you recorded with those orchestras? Yes. I recorded with Chamaco, with La Masacre, with theApollo, with Raphy Levitt and with Bobby.

Jazzin: Tell me about yourbeginnings in music. Charlie Sepulveda: I started in musicby chance. I was accompanyingJuancito Torres nephew, whoplayed trumpet and another guywho played saxophone to theEscuela Libre de Música in Caguas.When I was there, the schoolDirector asked me if I wanted to playan instrument. I say yes, and at theend the other two guys quit and Icontinued playing trumpet. I was 12

Then I left Bobby, and went to New York. And my first show wasat the Blue Note, playing with Ray Barretto. And I also recordedwith Barretto. My first work with Palmieri was when I was alreadystudying Jazz at the City College in New York. I studied for abouta year at the Music Conservatory here in Puerto Rico before Imoved to New York. There I recorded with Tito Puente and alsowith Dizzy in the album To Diz with Love. My first Tour with Dizzy was with his octet. The brass section wasDavid Sánchez, Steve Turre and me. Ignacio Berroa was also partof the group. When in New York I also worked with people outside the jazzScene, like Talking Heads, Paul Simon, David Byrne, I recorded insoundtracks. Jazzin: When did you listen jazz for the first time? Charlie Sepulveda: Well, I was born in New York. And there youcould listen and watch jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong on tv.And I admired him from back then. Jazzin: Other early influences beside Louis Armstrong? CS: CS:When I was already playing trumpet there was this guy inCaguas. He has a jazz collection and told me I got to listen to LeeMorgan, and Clifford Brown. From there I started to buy cds fromArt Blakey, the Brecker Brothers, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis. Jazzin: When you came back to Puerto Rico? CS: Around 1996. But I started my jazz Project, New Arrival, backin 1989. In my group were David Sánchez, Adam Cruz, BassistCarlos Torres, Richie Flores. Ed Simon and Danilo Pérez alsoworked with me at the beggining. The concept was a Hard BopQuintet but with congas. Influenced by people like Hank Mobley,Kenny Dorham, etc.

The second album was Algo Nuestro. On that one Andy Gonzálezalso recorded. 1996 I'm back in Puerto Rico and founded TheTurnaround with Gabriel Rodríguez on bass, Héctor Veneros, andPaoli Mejias. Later, around 2006, Tiko Ortiz and Raul Maldonadojoined the group. With the the Turnaround we have to Grammynominations. Jazzin: How is the process when you are composing? The Melodycomes first, or the rhythm? CS: Usually melodies, then I harmonized them, and then translatethem to the paper. When I listen to the melodies in my head Ihear the arrangements; harmonies, rhythms, changes. Jazzin: Next projects? CS: We just finished an album with EddiePalmieri, and are in the process of recording an album with JonSecada. A tribute to the music of Benny Moré.

One of the best shows of 2015. BuenaVista Social Club in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico JazzJam2015 turned out to be a great year for jazz inPuerto Rico, starting with the first majorevent; the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam at the TapiaTheatre in old San Juan. this eventorganized by trumpeter and composerHumberto Ramirez, brought us the music ofsaxophonist Victor Roman, trumpeter LuisAquino and as a special guest, Mastersaxophonist David Sanchez. All this in anwell deserved homage to legend Ray Santosand his music.

The Jazz Fest at Universidad Interamericanais organized by the Popupular MusicDepartment from this University. Every year,the music faculty, plus some special guestsbring the gift of jazz music to the studentsand the general public,. The festival usuallytakes place in March at the UniversidadInteramericana Theatre, and is totally free.

Another great fest organized by a Universityis the Music Conservatory Jazz Fest. Some ofthe biggest names in jazz music from PuertoRico either are former students of theConservatory or has been Professors there.David Sanchez, Eddie Gomez and CharlieSepulveda, are part of the Faculty at theMusic Consevatory. On this year edition ofthe fest Eddie Gomez play live and bassistJohn Benitez was a special guest at some ofthe master classes that are always part of thefest.

UniversidadInteramericana JazzFest

Music ConservatoryJazz Fest

THE BEST OF 2015THE BEST OF 2015

THE BEST OF 2015THE BEST OF 2015

Carolina Jazz Festival: Some of the best jazz musicians come to thesefest every year in the month of August. In 2015 some of the names whodelighted the public were David Sanchez, Brenda Hopkins, FrankiePerez, Janice Maisonet. and Jose M. Lugo.

PR HEINEKEN JAZZ FEST 2015 PR HEINEKEN JAZZ FEST 2015

PR HEINEKEN JAZZ FEST 2015 PR HEINEKEN JAZZ FEST 2015