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Marcos Varela: San Ygnacio
ByVarela traces his American roots to a time back before America existed as a country, back to the day of the Spanish land grants. The disc's title refers to the town of his family's 1750's land grant. "Santa Colinas De Santa Maria" is the name of the familial rancho, and the title to the Valera-penned second tune of the set, andgiven that the inspiration of the music is more than two and a half centuries oldit is remarkably modern-sounding, bubbling with magic and mystery. Varela does a bit of a mixing of the line-ups here, and "Colinas..." features a quartetalto sax and a rhythm sectionheard on only two numbers. It's group capable of the subtlest intricacies, an ensemble able to stroll "out there" while maintaining the leader's focused vision.
Trombonist Clifton Andersonsaxophonist Sonny Rollins' trombonist of choicesits in on two of his own original compositions, "Misuru" and "Sister Gemini," injecting the set with a vibrant mainstream feeling, and pianist George Cables, of the core quartet, brings in one of his tunes, the lovely, pensive "Looking For The Light," while leader Varela contributes "Where The Wild Things Are," begins with a spooky three minute intro that shifts into a propulsive, prickly piece of modern jazz.
San Ygnacio is a rare mixed bag disc that works exceedingly well. Everybody shinesBilly Hart and George Cables, trombonist Anderson and also the younger crew, as well as Marcos Varela and his sharply-honed vision for the sounds he has molded.
Track Listing
I Should Care; Colinas De Santa Maria; Mitsuru; Lulaby For Imke; Sister Gemini; Pepper; Red On Planet Pluto; Looking For The Light; Picturesque; Where The Wild Things Are (Intro); Where The Wild Things Are.
Personnel
Marcos Varela
bass, acousticMarcos Verela: bass; George Cables: piano; Billy Hart: drums; Logan richardson: alto saxophone ( (1, 4, 8, 10, 11); Clifton Anderson: trombone (3, 5); Dayna Stephens: tenor saxophone (6); Arnold Lee: alto saxophone (2, 7); Eden Ladin: piano (2, 7); Kush Abadey: drums (2, 7).
Album information
Title: San Ygnacio | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Origin Records
Comments
About Marcos Varela
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
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