vocal@shaw.ca
Hello Chip;
Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate the feedback. I am a big Latin Jazz fan myself, Jane and Hilario are certainly two of the best. You might want to check out the Edmonton-based Bomba as well, they're one of my all-time favourite Latin bands. The bassist and one of the founders, Rubim de Toledo, is also a fine jazz player.
I've been working this past year with bassist Roberto Aymes in Mexico City, we're currently writing a new album for release next year. Roberto has an amazing list of credits and is a true leader in jazz and perhaps Mexico's strongest advocate for the artform, and is also a prince of a man. Interestingly, we were introduced through Gustavo Caruci, a bassist from Caracas, Venezuela, when he was here in Calgary performing a few years ago. They traveled here as a trio and backed Maria Marquez (whom I sure you're familiar with). We did a few things together,it was an absolute thrill to share the stage with these fine musicians, and the spontaneous result was a beautiful mix of traditional and improvised Latin and Jazz.
It looks like you keep yourself very busy as well. What a great thing to have a youth orchestra playing Latin jazz, congrats on what is no doubt an exhilarating ride guiding them there!
Cindy
