Guitarist-composer Juan Carlos Quintero was born in Columbia but came to the United States as an infant. When eight, he traveled led with his family (his father was an Army physician) to Belgium. He started playing guitar during this time. When the family returned to the United States, he continued his musical education at Berklee and the New England Conservatory studying with Gary Burton, Michael Gibbs, and George Russell. At Berklee, he first met the legendary session guitarist Tommy Tedesco who would mentor Quintero. After moving to Los Angeles in 1986, Tedesco would introduce Quintero to the West Coast studio music community, and eventually, this led to his first recordings.
The present recording is a rerelease of his 1997 album, "The Way Home." On this album, Quintero's acoustic guitar is supported by pianist Joe Rotondi and either bassist Eddie Resto or Alec Milstein. There are also a host of percussionists (Munyungo Jackson, Walter Rodriguez, Tiki Pasillas, Angel Figueroa, and Ron Powell). Quintero composed all ten compositions (one with Kenny Hudson).
While inspiration may be from Latin American folk music, Quintero brings an appealing pop-flamenco-jazz feel to this recording. This feel is evident in the opening "El Baile," based on the cumbia folk style of his native Columbia. Here, and throughout, his excellent technique, melodic embellishments, and tone are supported by pianist Rotondi and the percussion. The title composition sounds like an acoustic Santana rendition of the cha-cha-chá, with marvelous bebop runs mixed for perhaps his most intriguing solo. Then there is the surging Latin flavor of "Hermandos," the dramatic tone to "Libre," and a lovely ballad, "The Way Home."
The music varies from the calm, relaxing mood to The Way Home" to the exhilarating feeling engendered by the title track. His playing is outstanding with substance yet still very accessible. This recording may be older, but its new release is most welcome. It is available at Bandcamp, https://moondorecords.bandcamp.com/album/caminando.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here he performs "Caminando."
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