Negroni's Trio Acústico

Negroni's Trio
Acústico
Sony Music/ Latin

Negroni’s Trio is comprised of a “father and son team,” José Negroni, on piano and keyboards,  Nomar Negroni, on drums and percussions, completing the trio for this recording is bassist Josh Allen. José, who was born in Puerto Rico, is a classically trained pianist, composer, and arranger while his son, Nomar, followed in his father’s footsteps and developed into a consummate percussionist. The father and son have created their own unique voice performing traditionally known jazz classics, Latin jazz, and jazz fusion. "Acústico" is their latest recording and one that will mesmerize listeners with the mix of the trio's virtuosity, and the charged rhythmic romanticism of the performances of 8 originals and three covers.

Nomar's composition "Let's Go Camping" opens in a fiery matter with plenty of percussive fireworks before segueing into a more lyrical mood. Bassist Allen provides an anchor for the dialogue between pianist and drummer with the energy building back up as José develops his solo over a memorable riff. José's "Air" showcases his graceful and fluid touch while his son provides heat with the groove and the accents he gives. On the atmospheric opening of "Puerto Del Sol," Allen's arco bass meshes with José's plucking of his piano strings before the pianist's lyrical romanticism comes to the fore.

There is a strong Spanish tinge to José's solo that opens "Maria Cervantes." A middle segment in this recording is launched by ardent drumming from Nomar. A closing solo piano one follows this segment. With all of the outstanding originals, there is also an excellent interpretation of Bud Powell's "Tempus Fugit." It is taken at a slower tempo than Powell's original. Bassist Allen is showcased here along with Jose's imaginative inventive soloing and Nomar's vigorous Latin rhythmic groove.

"Monica's Drum's" is a solo feature for Nomar, capping of this brilliant and compelling piano trio recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the January-February 2020 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 388). Here is Negroni's Trio performing Tempus Fugit."

World Music 5 - America

World Music 5 is a terrific new Latin Jazz Ensemble comprised of pianist Jose Negroni, drummer Nomar Negroni, bassist Josh Allen, violinist Federico Britos and woodwinds of Ed Calle, that happened when Negroni and Britos invited Calle to lunch one day and they join together to form a new ensemble. One result is a new double-CD album "America" (MOJITO RECORDS),an album (to paraphrase the press release), celebrates folkloric, traditional, and original Latin American and North American music. "America" features 16 original arrangements, adaptations, and or compositions by Federico Britos, Jose Negroni, and Dr. Ed Calle. The recording includes a vast array of genres including Venezuela's joropo, Mexico's jarabe tapatio, Brazil's choro, Cuba's danzon, Uruguay's candombe, the bolero claimed by Mexico and Cuba, and American Broadway and jazz standards, and presents works by master composers including Leonard Bernstein, Ernesto Lecuona, Duke Ellington, Pedro Elías Gutiérrez, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Agustin Lara, Cole Porter, Rafael Hernandez, and Brazil's Pixinguinha.

While described as a chamber jazz ensemble, the thrilling music here blends lyricism with hot rhythms and saucy leads on which the romantic feel of Bernstein's "America" is succeeded by Calle's radical reworking of J. Gonzalez Rubio's "Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance)," with its familiar theme bookending Calle and Britos highly energized solos. Then this in turn is followed by a lovely ballad by Calle, "Thinking of You (Pensando en Ti)," with lovely solos from Calle, Britos and Negroni, whose trio is stellar throughout in supporting everyone involved. Then there is a stunning rendition of "A Um Zero," a choro from Pixinguinha with Calle opening on bass clarinet before switching to clarinet. There is wonderful interplay with Britos along with Negroni's piano on this joyful and lyrical ragtime evoking performance followed by a rendition of "My Favorite Things" with Calle providing his own personal stamp on this Rodgers and Hammerstein number.

There is so much joyous music on "America," of which I have only described a portion, although the recording ends with a volcanic eruption of a performance of "Caravan." Many of the songs will be new to many reading this, but as World Music 5 display on renditions of familiar songs as "America," "Mexican Hat Dance," "My Favorite Things," and "Caravan," they bring virtuosity and melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic inventiveness, to provide exhilarating performances on the 16 compositions here and the most familiar songs will sound new. "America" is a recording that appeals to the heart and the head and stunned this writer when he first heard it and repeated listening to this sensational album brings new joys.

I received as a download from a publicist. Here is a performance of them of "Caravan."