The Jazz Record Productions in the Dominican Rep.

For jazz lovers, and especially here in our backyard, it always gives us great joy and pride every time a new record production comes out!

In 2024, the jazz discography of the Dominican Republic was enriched with the addition of four new productions! Each album is unique, original, full of excellent and diverse musical contexts, styles, interpretations and nuances; each one highlighting unique elements of each artist and their musicians.

Below we present each of these, in the order of release, with a brief synopsis and the link on YouTube and Spotify so you can listen to and enjoy them:

Gustavo Rodríguez: De Jazz en Cuando

On April 30th, La Oreja Media Group, Inc., with Jazz en Dominicana, released the album De Jazz en Cuando by renowned jazz pianist, producer, composer, arranger, musical director and music teacher Gustavo “Gus” Rodríguez.

Gustavo “Gus” Rodríguez expresses his musical ideas, compositions and arrangements in this, his first jazz album. The experienced and restless Rodríguez, a scholar and respecter of the great rhythmic-musical-folkloric richness of the country and the great Caribbean, incorporates fresh arrangements and instrumentation to this Latin Jazz with contemporary jazz release, which with a mystical energy reaches and delights our ears, souls and hearts. A production that invites us to enjoy jazz from a simple but complex and very balanced perspective, with well thought out and developed themes, as well as solos by excellent musicians whose great chemistry is evident in each song, highlighting the constant and successful exploration and incorporation of an artist who respects, enhances and contributes to the rich history of Jazz and Latin Jazz.

The 7 songs that make up the album are “Camino a CASA 21”, “Lengüetazo en Coconut Grove”, “Un Domingo en La Zona”, “Jakagua”, “In The Tropical Forest”, “I Want To” and “Pasando por Bahía”, all unreleased compositions by Gustavo, were conceived exclusively for this album.

Ivanna Cuesta: A Letter to the Earth

On June 7th, drummer, composer, arranger and bandleader Ivanna Cuesta released her first album: A Letter To The Earth. This album of original compositions features Ivanna on drums and electronics, accompanied by pianist Kris Davis, bassist Max Ridley and tenor saxophonist Ben Solomon.

The outstanding musician comments: “Since I was little, I always loved nature and was surrounded by many trees, rivers and beaches in my country, the Dominican Republic. But climate change is a reality, and everything I experienced as a child has been disappearing very quickly, and now they are just memories.”

To that end, A Letter to the Earth not only keeps the memory alive; it is a call to humanity to change course, through its universal language. Eschewing any preaching in favor of pure sentiment, this is an atmospheric and evocative piece that leaves you speechless, with a cross-section of the best and brightest in contemporary jazz driving its artistic vision. The concept is a combination of free improvisation with electronic elements, all inspired by issues related to the dire reality of climate change.

Luis Disla: DislaMotion – The Prophecy Volume 2

On July 17th, saxophonist, composer, arranger and bandleader Luis Disla, a Dominican living in Florida, released his new production: DislaMotion – The Prophecy, Volume 2. This is an electrifying album that shows the exceptional talent of the saxophonist and his innovative approach to jazz. 

Luis Disla is one of those musicians touched by the modesty of those who make their way with dedication and effort. Proof of this is his degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, a prestigious institution where Keith Jarrett, Joe Lovano, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny and other stars studied. Regarding his challenges and rewards at Berklee, Disla says: “My great challenge was to show that being a professional and dedicated musician is for someone with a lot of discipline and perseverance, which is why I managed to study with very good teachers, especially saxophone, arrangements and improvisation.”

Discipline and perseverance have resulted in a successful career with more than 200 recordings, commercials for prestigious brands, film soundtracks and an episode of the television series Dexter, as well as collaborations with prominent artists ranging from Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Mario Bauzá, Israel López “Cachao” and Carlos Santana, to Wyclef Jean, Néstor Torres and Armando Manzanero. Those years of work involve multiple experiences.

Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz: Jazzeando el Cancionero Dominicano, Vol. 4

On September 7th, the new album Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz – Jazzeando el Cancionero Dominicano, Vol. 4 was released. In this new album, not only are they reviving well-known melodies, but they also include original compositions that bear the distinctive signature of Retro Jazz, marking a new chapter in their artistic evolution and promising to captivate both new listeners and loyal followers. Three previously unreleased songs by the group complete the new album, thus beginning an important stage in the development of the band.

“Katia con K”, composed by Pengbian Sang, director of the band, is an instrumental ballad that embodies the rich tradition of jazz, establishing a harmonious and at the same time dissonant melody, with spaces that allow improvisation to highlight the talent of the soloists involved. This musical piece not only celebrates the technical and creative mastery of the band, but also reveals the deep artistic maturity achieved by its members.

“Te digo adiós” by Nairoby Duarte, the band’s vocalist, is an elegant jazz ballad with strong soul music influences, which tells the story of a couple who seemed destined for eternity, but whose divergent paths led them down opposite paths. With a seductive and enigmatic melody, the song captures the essence of a love that slowly fades, between notes that oscillate between passion and melancholy.

“Anacaona,” written by renowned percussionist Edgar Molina, founding member of Retro Jazz, pays an emotional tribute to the legendary Taíno leader. Inspired by her story of sacrifice and bravery in the fight for her people, the song captures the essence of her leadership and resistance in the face of colonial adversity.

from https://latinjazznet.com