Distancia (CD)
Grammy-nominated
pianist Manuel Valera (Paquito DRivera, Arturo Sandoval, Steve
Smith) presents his second album from his New Cuban Express Big Band, a
spirited ensemble that fuses the music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil to
forge innovative sounds and textures. Distancia
draws upon searing personal experiences going through personal loss and
having to pick up the pieces to move forward. Valera uses the broad palette of
the big band to express a wide range of moods and emotions. From the haunting
From Afar, to the buoyant Expectativas, and the fiery Gemini, the writing
is dynamic and varied and the ensemble brings out the nuances with both grace
and gusto. The band
features some of New Yorks best creative musicians, including vocalists Camila
Meza and Bogna KiciDska as well as standout soloists Charles
Pillow, Remy Le Beouf, and Mike
Fahie. Produced by Kabir Sehgal and Doug
Davis, Valera presents a
very personal album of engaging contemporary big band jazz.
1. Expectativas 2. Gemini 3. From Afar  4. Pathways 5. From The Ashes 6. Impressionistic Romance 7. Distancia 8. Remembered
- Format Detail: CD 6-panel digipak
- Format: CD
- Genre: Jazz
