All About Jazz CD Review Papo Vazquez and The Mighty Pirates | Picaro Records By Jerry D'Souza Fate deals its own hand. Papo Vazquez and The Mighty Pirates were scheduled to perform at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia when an ice storm came by the previous day. And so, a two-hour drive from New York City turned into a five-hour ordeal. One would think that the strains of the journey would tell on the band. But that thought perishes from the moment the first note float in. Trombonist Vazquez has the innate ability of letting his music breathe and speaking eloquently. It turns on the anvil he calls Afro Puerto Rican Jazz, but he blends in several idioms that make up Latin jazz. More, he fleshes the music with swing and bop, letting the whole coalesce into rich orchestral textures. His skill as an arranger also leaves a soloist enough room to make an impact. The Mighty Pirates get right down to communicating with the audience. They make it known that they are “Happy to be Here,” an up-tempo tune that flies from the reverberating bed of the percussive rhythm. The solos spin into a heady atmosphere, each bringing in a different element that juxtaposes the way in which a tune can be developed and built into a hypnotic document. The horns are agile as altoist Bruce Williams fills the melody with jazz harmonies, getting into the core to find his own well of saturating ideas. Vazquez is in control, he never goes over the top. His ambit is circular, flitting into the tune and kissing it gently. This sits perfectly against the deeper swath cut by tenor saxophonist Willie Williams. ”Pa' Mingus” a tribute to Charles Mingus is a showcase for bassist John Benitez. His phrases are incisive of the mood, yet he never succumbs to aping Mingus. He is a man of his own trajectory, which makes listening to him a constant delight of expectancy. Written in a mainstream jazz mode the soloists, led by Ralph Bowen (tenor saxophone), capture that focus perfectly. Freddie Hendrix (trumpet) loosens molten bop and Jason Marshall (baritone saxophone) stretches the melody and gives it a depth charge. Vazquez has the final say, with light, bouncy lines that dance winsomely in a sunny atmosphere. The orchestration is top-notch, turning this into an extraordinary experience. ”Julia Jibarita” is a bolero aguinaldo. Vazquez is a simmering presence, emotion resonating in every note. He gets solid support from poignant pianist Zaccai Curtis. Judging from the music, the Painted Bride Center was where the heat was blazing that evening. The cold had been effectively isolated. Jesse Bermudez, Executive Producer/AMLA Papo Vazquez, Producer Painted Bride Art Center - Co-Producer Mighty Pirate Orchestra Saxes Bruce Williams - Lead Alto Sax, Flute & Soprano Sax Robert Landham - 2nd Alto Sax & Clarinet Willie Williams - 1st Tenor Sax, Clarinet & 1st Mate Ralph Bowen - 2nd Tenor, Piccolo, Jason Marshall - Baritone Sax & Bass Clarinet Trumpets Walter White - Lead Trumpet, Flugel horn Albert Leusink- 2nd Trumpet, Flugel horn Freddie Hendrix - 3rd Trumpet, Flugel horn Nelson Jaime - 4th Trumpet Trombones Erick Storckman - 1st Trombone Luis Cruz - 2nd Trombone Reynaldo Jorge - 3rd Trombone Dave Taylor - Bass Trombone Zaccai Curtis - Piano John Benitez - Bass Victor Jones - Drums Anthony Carrillo – Barril de Bomba, Pandero, Surdo, Bongo Juan Gutierrez – Barril de Bomba & Güìcharo Camilo Molina – Barril de Bomba, Pandero, Surdo, Cua