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New York City-based
vibraphonist/bandleader/composer/educator Steve Pouchie brings
us his latest recording, El Puente (The Bridge), a
production that bridges the talents and efforts of this veteran
road warrior of Latin jazz with the reality of surviving as a
musician in the belly of an urban jungle. Inspired by the
musical traditions pioneered by Tito Puente and Cal Tjader,
Pouchie delivers a balanced repertoire of original scores and
Latin jazz classics, all displaying his unique flavor while
reflecting a musical portrait in time. "El Puente" was recorded
in the Bronx, in the good company of some of New York City's top
Latin jazz players, including Little Johnny Rivero (percussion),
Jotan Afanador (drums), Adán Pérez and Sam Barrios (keyboards),
Solo Rodríguez (bass), Iván Renta and Julio Botti (saxophones),
Peter Nater (trumpet), and Andrea Brachfeld (flute). They excel
on the selections Journey into Outland, Picadillo
(featuring guest Ronnie Puente, Tito Puente's oldest son, on a
marimba solo), The Ghanan Trail (highlighting Andrea
Brachfeld's flute solo), and Naomi's Fantasy (with tasty
solos provided by Ariel Santiago on flute, Julio Botti on sax,
and Erik Piza on timbal). Sharing arrangement credits with Steve
Pouchie in this new production is Willie Ruiz. — Rudy Mangual
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