Alex “Apolo” Ayala - Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz

Alex “Apolo” Ayala, acclaimed bassist and composer, makes a powerful statement with his latest album, Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz. Released under PMC Records/Miel Music, this vibrant work by Ayala and his ensemble The Bámbula Project illustrates the profound connections between Afro-Puerto Rican musical traditions and mainstream jazz, skillfully bridging cultural heritage with contemporary innovation.

Historically, jazz musicians have long collaborated with Latin artists, with Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo, Stan Getz and Antonio Carlos Jobim serving as apropos examples. Evoking a similar approach, Ayala brings that collaborative spirit to Afro-Puerto Rican music, envisioning a world where Charlie Parker meets Rafael Cortijo or Charles Mingus plays alongside the Bomberos of Puerto Rico. “I have one foot in tradition and the other foot in the modern, avant-garde side. I’m not afraid of stepping outside of the box and taking risks, experimenting, and re-imagining and playing these rhythms in a different way. Every time I do that, I have the time of my life, and I say to myself: the possibilities are endless,” the bandleader reflects.

The varied ensemble showcased on Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz significantly contributes to this aspect of Ayala’s vision, exemplified by Andrew Gould on alto and soprano saxophones, Fernando García on drums, Victor Pablo García on percussion, and guest artist Nelson Matthew Gonzalez on requinto drum for three tracks. Listeners witness a musical group fully stepping into Ayala’s vision, exhibiting a commanding understanding of these traditions and contributing exhilarating performances that both advance and pay tribute to the conventions of these idioms.

With his acclaimed debut album, Bámbula (2022 – Truth Revolution), Ayala joined the lineage of jazz pioneers from Puerto Rico, which include William Cepeda, Papo Vázquez, David Sánchez, and Miguel Zenón. These musicians, among many others, have dedicated themselves to incorporating the richness of their musical traditions into the jazz idiom, thereby introducing the public to these vibrant cultural expressions.

On Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz the bandleader builds on this legacy while forging his own voice. His approach is fearless – Ayala is unafraid to take risks, experiment, and reimagine myriad rhythmic possibilities. The result is an electrifying musical collection that challenges convention while celebrating the endless possibilities of this musical fusion.

The album opens with “Río Piedras,” a tribute to Ayala’s hometown in San Juan, Puerto Rico, setting the tone with its buoyant energy. “Agonía,” a three-movement suite reflecting a deeply personal family struggle, conveys raw emotion through its segments: “Reckoning,” “Hopelessness,” and “Uncertainty.” Ayala interprets these intense experiences musically, offering a deeply personal and expressive narrative. “Ngudi,” meaning “Mother” in Kikongo language, is a musical tribute dedicated to Ayala’s late mother, who passed away in 2019. “3D Plena,” a nod to the late great Ray Santos composition “3D Mambo,” was originally written for the Tito Puente orchestra. Ayala’s homage reinterprets plena rhythms with a fresh, contemporary approach with deep Bebop influences.

The album’s sole cover, “Bomba Carambomba,” pays tribute to a classic recorded by Puerto Rican legends Rafael Cortijo and Ismael Rivera, Sonora Ponceña, and Ángel Canales. “Bomba Pa’ Ana Luisa” and “Sweetness” are two original compositions that Ayala dedicated to his dear Wife, Anna Louise Andersson. It showcases Ayala’s melodic and lyrical approach to composition. In “Sweetness” in particular, we can hear not only some Classical music influences, but also Ayala’s growth as a Soloist. 

The album concludes with “Cuembé,” a rhythm from the bomba tradition that showcases its regional variations across Puerto Rico, bringing the record to a powerful and celebratory close.

Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz also marks a milestone for Miel Music, the independent record label led by renowned saxophonist, Grammy Award winner, and MacArthur Grant recipient Miguel Zenón. Notably, this is the first release on the label by an artist other than Zenón himself. “For a very long time now, I’ve been thinking about ways to help provide a platform for up-and-coming musicians so that it’s simpler for them to share their albums and musical vision,” shares Zenón. “I’m excited to share my platform with artists like Alex Ayala. He’s an excellent musician, with a clear vision and a quest for excellence. I’m hoping that this collaboration with Alex will be the first of many, and that Miel Music will be able to provide support to many other musicians like him.”

Visit online at alexapoloayala.com/

from https://bassmusicianmagazine.com