César Orozco No Limits For Tumbao

The music of Cuban/Venezuelan pianist, composer, music producer, and arranger César Orozco involves an original fusion between Venezuelan and Cuban traditional music with jazz. In his notes to his new CD with Karamata Jazz, "No Limits For Tumbao" (Alfi Records), he states "that 'Tumbao' is for Latin music what the swing is for Jazz. On the present recording his piano and keyboards are supported by Rodner Padilla on electric bass, Francisco Vielma on percussion, and Euro Zambrano on drums with appearances by Paquito D'Rivera, Yosvany Terry, Pedrito Martinez, Gary Thomas and others.

As might be expected, this is music of great spirit and depth, full of exhilaration and beauty. The opening title track showcases the leader's marvelous piano (both acoustic and electric), soprano saxophone from Terry, and the crackling percussion. The Afro-Cuban flavor of that track is followed by "La Rumba Esta Buena" featuring the dramatic singing of Pedrito Martinez along with the leader's precise, yet passionate playing. "Yobo" is a marvelous jazz piano performance with the leader's appealing lyricism. Gary Thomas' tenor sax (and he takes a husky solo) and Linda Briceño's trumpet add spice to the rhythms of "Vladitimba."

Linda Briceño provides the charming vocal on "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," with the leader effective applying the electric piano's tonality. It is another excellent performance on the varied and stimulating music heard on "No Limits For Tumbao," which will particularly delight fans of Latin jazz.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the November-December 2015 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 363). Here is César Orozco & Karamata Jazz in performance.