Nuyorican Nights

Amazon.com
If there were any doubts about the bright future of Latin jazz in this age of Buena Vista Social Club-fueled interest in all things Cuban, New York trombonist Chris Washburne's first solo outing, Nuyorican Nights, should put them right to rest. Nuyorican Nights is probing and original, with intricate horn arrangements and thoroughly modern soloing from Washburne and his standout ensemble, which includes trumpeter John Walsh, tenor saxophonist Ole Mathisen, and special-guest trumpeter Ray Vega on two tracks. But the appeal of Nuyorican Nights is far from academic: this is music for dancing as well as listening. The 35-year-old Washburne has played regularly with salsa stalwarts like Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, and Marc Anthony, so he clearly knows what he's doing when it comes to the Afro-Cuban beat. But what makes Nuyorican Nights such a standout is that Washburne's ensemble is well versed not only in the various styles of salsa--from the rumba of the title track to the mambo of "Huracan" to the cha-cha of "Spurier's Dream"--but that it uses each style as a jumping-off point for Washburne's unique arrangements and original compositions. --Ezra Gale

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