JUAN PABLO TORRES - TROMBONE MAN

JUAN PABLO TORRES
Um dos primeiros músicos cubanos que conheci e do qual me tornei amigo, quando fui morar em Miami - em 1996, foi o grande trombonista JUAN PABLO TORRES. É com saudade que relembro as reuniões em sua casa, em "Little Havana": muita música, conversas longas, regadas a "mojitos, cerveza y comiditas" servidas por sua esposa (cantora, produtora,conselheira, admini stradora, tutora...) Elsa. Um sonho que Juan Pablo tinha era o de conhecer o Brasil, sonho que, infelizmente, não se realizou, com sua morte prematura em 2005. JUAN PABLO foi um trombonista notável, além de cantar, compor e arranjar. Amanhã estarei postando seu segundo album, "Pepper Trombone", numa
séria de postagens em que abordarei grandes trombonistas. (Desnecessário dizer que trombone é um dos instrumentos de que mais gosto).
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JUAN PABLO TORRES
Born in Puerto Padre, Cuba in 1946, Juan Pablo Torres is part of a triumvirate of now legendary Cuban expatriates that also includes Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval. In some ways, they are comparable to the trio of bebop pioneers in the U.S.A.: Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie/J.J. Johnson. Like Johnson, Torres is also a gifted composer/arranger and a sought-after producer. And also like Johnson, unfortunately, he never received the acclaim accorded to his colleagues in treble clef. One of the best trombone players in the Latin-jazz community of the 1990s, Juan Pablo Torres provided a crucial role in recordings by Paquito D'Rivera, Charles Azvanour and Gilberto Santa Rosa. In addition, the Cuban recorded at least two dozen
LPs of his own while sitting in with others; their success led to a contract with Sony Tropijazz, beginning with 1995's Trombone Man, which also featured D'Rivera and pianist Hilton Ruiz. Juan Pablo has died in 2005, at the age of 59, in Miami, of an inoperable brain tumor after spending days in a coma.
(Source : encyclopedia.com and all music guide - edited by CB)
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ALBUM REVIEW
I was lucky enough to find this CD, released in 1996, for $1 at a garage sale in 2005. I had no idea what I would be in store for when I listened to it, because I hadn't heard of Juan Pablo Torres yet. I did notice, however, that the album was produced by Paquito D'Rivera, one of my favorite alto saxophonists, and a legend in the Latin Jazz world, so my expectations were slightly raised.I found that I was pleasantly suprised; my purchase was well worth the money invested as this is a classic CD with great tunes, great arrangements and great solos. I can tell you that J. P. Torres has excellent technique on the Trombone, and is a great scat singer as well (check out his vocal stylings on track 6). I really enjoyed the tracks that he sang on, and wish he would have done a little more vocal work on the album. The album
showcases the talents of many great musicians. Paquito displays some nice work on Clarinet and Alto throughout the album. There is a nice blend of tunes, ranging from melodious ballads to dancable salsa-jazz. Most of the tunes are originals written by J. P. Torres, Paquito D'Rivera and pianist Hilton Ruiz. Hilton Ruiz, whom I had never heard of before listening to this, has great technique on the piano and was very fun to listen to. This is classic latin jazz. I am a little suprised and disappointed that this CD has not gotten more publicity. This is a superb album and I would think that any latin or jazz fan would really enjoy it.
(By L.A. SaxMan - Los Angeles, CA)
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MINHA OPINIÃO - só mesmo um músico com o prestígio de Juan Pablo Torres conseguiria reunir esse "dream team" escalado aí em baixo: o "creme do creme" do Latin Jazz. Impossível destacar a melhor faixa, mas a fusão de FOUR (clássico de Miles Davis) com o eterno bolero COMO FUÉ é um achado. A pegada, a raça com que tocam os temas de Paquito D´Rivera, "Samba for Carmen" Mc Rae) e "Who´s smoking" são "incandescentes", pra dizer o mínimo. OURO EM PÓ!

(*)Álbum raríssimo, da minha coleção pessoal, indisponível na Net, até agora.
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JUAN PABLO TORRES - TROMBONE MAN

PERSONNEL:
Juan Pablo Torres - trombone, vocal, arrangements
Paquito D´Rivera - alto saxophone (tracks 10,11), clarinet (5,6,8)
Hilton Ruiz - piano (tracks 1,7,10)
Ed Simon - piano (all other tracks)
Andy Gonzalez - baby bass (tracks 1,3,5,7,10
Oscar Stagnaro - electric bass (tracks 2,4,8,11)
Diego Urcola - trumpet, flugelhorn
Manuel Valeris - alto saxophone (tracks 6,8,10), soprano (track 2)
Jordi Ross - drums (tracks 8,9,11)
Gabriel Machado - conga, percussion
Pernell Saturnino - percussion

TRACKS/FAIXAS
1. Sweet Cherry Pie - Juan Pablo Torres, Ruiz, Hilton
2. From John to Johnny - Juan Pablo Torres, Torres, Juan Pablo
3. For Elisa - Juan Pablo Torres, Torres, Juan Pablo
4. Banana Split - Juan Pablo Torres, Torres, Juan Pablo
5. Memories - Juan Pablo Torres, DRivera, Paquito
6. Four & Come Fue - Juan Pablo Torres, Duarte, Ernesto
7. At Daybreak - Juan Pablo Torres, Ruiz, Hilton
8. Samba for Carmen - Juan Pablo Torres, DRivera, Paquito
9. Foot Tapping - Juan Pablo Torres, Torres, Juan Pablo
10. Fiesta for Juan Pablo - Juan Pablo Torres, Ruiz, Hilton
11. Who's Smoking?! - Juan Pablo Torres, DRivera, Paquito