Tito Puente was arguably the best known Latin Jazz percussionist and band leader. His fame even scored him a guest spot on the Simpson's two part episode "Who Killed Mr. Burns".
The clip below, "New Arrival" shows Tito in one of his last recordings prior to his death in May, 2000. There are certainly elements from both camps in this piece - Latin and Jazz.
See if you can listen to each layer of sound and identify the Latin elements and the Jazz elements.
It might be easier to do this by looking at each instrument. Tito himself is featured here on the drum kit and plays some very interesting drum rhythms. Post a comment that discusses each instrument layer:
- Drum Kit
- Percussion
- Piano
- Bass Guitar
- Saxophone
- Flute
I can't finish this post without mentioning Tito's other work which is primarily leading his band and performing some amazing drumming on the timbales. Check out some fantastic clips here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33orc70TAxg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAr1K2-skoA
Enjoy!
Mr. M
Its sooo repetitive .
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is a big change from cool jazz is that the percussion is the most dominant part and the melodic instruments just play the same thing over and over.
Max...
Good listening Max. There is a great deal of repetition. Latin Jazz is primarily tiff based. Just like the piece we played on Monday, this piece sets up a bass riff and simple chord progression. The percussion creates a lot of the interest.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to hear some more comments, butwell done Max
Mr. M
the latin video is so inspirational
ReplyDeletewow i loved that - it was amazing!!
ReplyDeletei guess it is a lot more fast paced and has stright quavers. im so bogged down in my study tonight
Max has a very good point. Although the frontline is there the percussion is very prominent and is featured a lot, almost as much as men with moustaches.
ReplyDeleteThat "fast paced" feel is mainly coming from the polyrhythmic percussion lines.
ReplyDeleteMr. M