Victor Rendon & Bronx Conexion Latin Jazz Big Band through their new album gives us the stew of "Funky Frijoles"

 

FUNKY FRIJOLES

Musicians: Victor Rendon (bandleader, timbales, timbalitos, drum set, cua, bata); Wilson "Chembo" Corniel (tumbadoras, congas, guiro, bata); Cascadu (shekere, dundun, clave, bata); Yasuyo Kimura (bongo, cencerro, maraca); Jessica Valiente (woodwinds oute, piccolo); Al Acosta, Jorge Castro (alto saxophone); Paul Carlon, Peter Brainin, Joe Stelluti (tenor saxophone); Karl Watson (baritone saxophone); Anibal Martinez, Kathleen Doran, Guido Gonzalez, Mark McGowan (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Faulkner, David Chamberlain, Leonard Walworth, George Saenz (trombone); Joe Mannozzi (piano); Michael Viñas (bass)

Tracks List: Bronx Detour; Malagueña Salerosa; ¡Basta!; Funky Frijoles; The Moment; Bomba Dreams; Morningside; Black Water

Experience and excellence come together at Victor Rendon to worship our musical genre with the support of friends ranked among the best in the performance of their instruments.

Rendon's history shows constant development alongside his valuable team.

If we add to this the guest stars: Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, Peter Brainin, Jessica Valiente, Paul Carlon, Rick Faulkner and Michel Viñas, we have an all star.

Victor Rendon & Bronx Conexion Latin Jazz Big Band gives us this work "Funky Frijoles" that not only increases his distinguished discography, but also a valuable contribution to Latin Jazz, its chroniclers, fans, music schools, radio programs, etc.

Now let's get to know a little about "Funky Frijoles":

“Bronx Detour” composed/arranged by Víctor Rendón. This tune is a classic Latin-jazz mambo, written in the blues form. The participation of Jorge Castro on alto saxophone, Rick Faulkner on trombone and Chembo Corniel on congas stands out; "Malagueña Salerosa" arranged by Joe Mannozzi. A Mexican classic and the only version on our next release. It features Guido González on trumpet, Michael Viñas on bass and Jessica Valiente on flute; "¡Basta!" composed and arranged by Joe Mannozzi. A fast Latin-jazz mambo that stands out for the participation of Paul Carlon on the tenor saxophone and Víctor on the timbales and timbalitos, in the style of Tito Puente; “Funky Frijoles” composed and arranged by Víctor Rendón. A rhythmic composition that makes use of varied rhythmic figures and moving lines in the winds, performed over a funk rhythm on bass, piano and drums. The participation of Paul Carlon on the tenor saxophone, Rick Faulkner on the trombone, Cascadú on the African dundun and Víctor on the drums stand out; “The Moment” composed and arranged by Joe Mannozzi. A ballad in bolero time, performed with drumsticks on the drums as well as congas and bongos. It is a beautiful piece highlighted by the participation of Paul Carlon on tenor saxophone; "Bomba Dreams"composed and arranged by Joe Mannozzi. It is a sicá of the Puerto Rican bomb genre. The participation of Peter Brainin on the tenor saxophone, Aníbal Martínez on the trumpet and Chembo Corniel on the barrel congas stand out; "Morningside" composed and arranged by Rick Faulkner. Somewhat reminiscent of the Xavier Cugat Orchestra, this tune begins with Chembo Corniel and Yasuyo Kimura trading riffs on congas and bongos. Joe Stelluti stands out on tenor saxophone. “Black Water” – composed and arranged by Rick Faulkner. This melody is an Afro-Cuban bembé in 6/8 with a shuffle rhythm on the drums. Batá drums are added later in the melody, giving it a boost until the end. Rick Faulkner stands out on trombone and Jessica Valiente on flute.

Victor Rendon:

Drummer/percussionist Victor Rendón is a highly respected educator, author, and veteran of the New York City Latin music scene. He studied intensively for many years with Jimmy Ramirez, Dr. Rosemary Small, Louie Bauzo, John Almendra, “Little” Ray Romero, Frankie Malabe, Mike Collazo Sr., Pablo Rosario, Changuito, Roberto Borrell, John Amira, Morris “Arnie” Lang, as well as jazz drummers Paul Guerrero, Henry Okstel, & Charli Persip among others. He has worked as a side man with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O’Farrill, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Ray Santos Orchestra, Grupo Caribe, Latin Jazz Coalition, The "New" Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Grupo Latin Vibe, Los Mas Valientes, Rudy Calzado, and many others. 

 

As an author/transcriber, his work has appeared in Modern Drummer, Percussive Notes, LP Newsletter, Music in Motion Films, DCI Music Video, Drum! Magazine, and Warner Bros. Publications. He is author of The Art of Playing Timbales distributed by Alfred Publishing. For several years Victor also published his own semi-annual magazine, Latin Percussionist. Rendón, who holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas and a Masters degree in education from Hunter College, has had a lengthy career teaching instrumental music and Latin percussion in the New York City Public Schools. 

 

Formerly co-leader of the Rodríguez/Rendón Latin Jazz Orchestra, he now leads the Bronx Conexión Latin Jazz Big Band and the percussion group: Co-Tim-Bó. Currently, he teaches and directs the Percussion Ensemble and also the Latin-Jazz Ensemble at Lehman College in the Bronx. A successful clinician, he conducts workshops in Latin percussion styles.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: If you want to know more about the honorable musical career of Victor Rendon & Bronx Conexion Latin Jazz Big Band, I invite you to read or consult the book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" (Amazon).