Jazzin' Spring 2017
Puerto Rico Jazz Guide
Puerto Rico Jazz Jam 2017 Rafael Hernรกndez: A Puerto Rico Jazz Pioneer
Jazzin Interview: Wilson Chembo Corniel
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JAZZIN INTERVIEW: WILSON CHEMBO CORNIEL Jazzin’ Magazine Interview Wilson Chembo before. I wanted to change the sound to Corniel something more fusion like. One of the changes was from acoustic bass to electric In January we sat down with Master bass. Percussionist Chembo Corniel at some place in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico to talk The pianist Darwin Noguera, is from about his most recent album Land of the Nicaragua and graduated from the Descendants. An album where Corniel Manhattan School of Music. The bassist Ian pushes the envelope, looking for new Stewart, studied with trumpeter Ray Vega. sounds. Saxophonist and flutist Frank Fontaine played in the album but the left the group Jazzin’ Magazine: I noticed some changes and moved to California. So we added for this new album. flutist Heri Paz. And on drums, Joel Mateo from Puerto Rico, graduated from Puerto Chembo Corniel: Yes. It is still a quintet but Rico Music Conservatory. So all of them are with new members. After ten years, I young musicians except me (laugh). thought it was time for a change. A change of sound and the whole vibe. JM: There are some special guests in the album. CC: Yes, all excellent musicians. Trumpeter There are all these young musicians with James Zollar played on Descendants, Night new ideas, and I thought it was time to Letter and Parisan Cha. bring new blood to the group. Some of these new members I already played with
WILSON CHEMBO CORNIEL Violinist Benjamin Sutin, also from the Manhattan School, played on Transparent Souls, dedicated to my father who died last year. The arrangement for this one is really a Son in 6/8 that ends in a Danzรณn. Victor Rendรณn played Batรก on Parisan Chรก, Yasuyo Kimura and Kan Yanabe played cajรณn on Newtown. The vocals on Lush Life are by an amazing singer, Kat Gang. The arrangement for Lush Life was done by the pianist Darwin Noguera.
JM: Some good news recently?
professors and special guests.
CC: Of Course. Back in November Lehman College gave me a recognition, the Distinguished Artist Award. This was at the Johnny Pacheco Latin Music and Jazz Festival.
JM: I saw you playing at Ventana al Jazz. Excellent show! Are there plans to play again here in Puerto Rico?
JM: There is a Festival named after Pacheco? CC: They’ve been doing it for seven years now at Lehman College with students,
CC: Sure! I hope so. I played at Ventana al Jazz three times already. Hopefully I will be back playing at some of the other fests in Puerto Rico.
JAZZIN' MAGAZINE 2ND ANNIVERSARY “In 2015 Jazzin' Magazine first edition came out and we are celebrating with this the 10th edition”
Chronology: first two years of Jazzin 'Magazine, Puerto Rico Jazz Guide • First printed edition, March 2015. (Cover Miguel Zenón) • Official release at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto, May 2015 • Sponsor of the Luquillo Jazz Fest 2015 • Sponsor of the Sancocho Jazz Fest, August 2015 and 2016, Arroyo, Puerto Rico • Sponsor of the Buena Vista Social Club Concert, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, November 2015 • Organizer of the International Jazz Day Celebration, April 2016 with Janice Maisonet at Libras Restaurant, Isla Verde • Sponsor of the Concert of Gema Corredera at the Teatro Tapia, June, 2016 • Organizer of the farewell to Berklee to saxophonist Jonathan Suazo, Restaurant Don Tello, Cataño. August 2016 • 9 editions of Jazzin 'Magazine (printed and digital www. issuu.com/jazznbossa) read by more than 20,000 people • Co-Organizer with Jazz
Portorricensis of the Documentary Premiere Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary at 1950's Cinema Bar - Old San Juan, San Juan, May 2017 If you missed the opportunity to reach thousands of people at these events by announcing your business in Jazzin 'Magazine, do not miss what is coming; • Additional editions (printed and digital) of Jazzin 'Magazine with Puerto Rico Jazz interviews and articles. • Jazz Documentaries in San Juan. • Live jazz performances throughout Puerto Rico. • More presence in the best Jazz and Latin Jazz events. Sponsor our events and place your ad today in Jazzin 'Magazine! Jazzinmagazine@gmail.com Wsostre@gmail.com Www.issuu.com/jazznbossa Wilbert Sostre Jazzin' Magazine Editor
PR JAZZ JAM IN PHOTOS Two days of music excellence at Teatro Tapia San Juan.
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PUERTO RICO JAZZ JAM 2017 Every year the Puerto Rico Jazz Jam kick off the Jazz fests in Puerto Rico. This year the music offer was excellent as always, starting with the first night that included the artistry of saxophonist Frankie Perez, followed by the conga Masters Eddie Montalvo, Jimmie Morales and William “Kachiro” Thompson in a tribute to Chano Pozo, Mongo Santamaría and Ray Barretto. The second night started with the eclectic and mellow sounds of pianist Carmen Noemi's Cafezz, a blend of jazz, and world music. Closing the night the Humberto Ramirez Big Band and his homage to latin american music and jazz.
RAFAEL HERNÁNDEZ
PUERTO RICO JAZZ PIONEER
Rafael Hernández, recognized as one of the best composers in the music history of Puerto Rico was also one of the first Puerto Ricans to play and record Jazz. When Lieutenant James Reese Europe came to Puerto Rico in 1917 to recruit musicians for the Harlem Hellfighters, he found a group of excellent musicians among the members of the San Juan Municipal Band run by Manuel Tizol. Rafael Hernández, trombonist, was a member of Manuel Tizol's band and was recruited along with his brother Jesus to join the band of the Harlem Hellfighters. The 369th Regiment of the United States Army, known as the Harlem Hellfighters was
the most recognized African American unit during World War I. At one point, twenty of its members were Puerto Ricans. The Harlem Hellfighters is the band that is credited with introducing jazz music to France and the rest of Europe during the First World War. When the Harlem Helfighthers returned from the War, Lieutenant Europe led his Hellfighters in the first Parade of the American nation in recognition of his war heroes. Several weeks after their return the Hellfigthers recorded eleven tracks for the Pathé Freres Phonograph Company label, including "That Moaning Trombone," "Jazz Baby," "Russian Rag," and "On Patrol In No Man's Land."
Because Rafael Hernandez still was "Rafael Hernandez was perhaps the part to the band, some historians agree that Hernandez participated in first Puerto Rican to record Jazz back those recordings, being perhaps the first Puerto Rican to record jazz. in 1919."