snobb
Cuban-American pianist Aruan Ortiz, on his new album, demonstrates similar qualities as almost any other leading Cuban jazz pianist of his generation - precise techniques and strong feel of classical music education. Leading an acoustic trio, he bravely mixes Caribbean themes with European non-jazz tradition and New York avant-garde jazz experience.
The music on "Serranias..." is complex, but with clear lines, Aruan plays as if he is a surgeon, the piano keys are his scalpel. It is him pushing the supportive capable rhythm section ahead. High energy muscular compositions shout "take no prisoners", this music is obviously not for the faint-hearted. Still...
As many other fans, I really like Cuban pianists for their very special emotional vibe, a combination of passion and soul. "Serranias...", besides of cold-calculated energy and great techniques, offers lot of passion too, but what about soul?