Latin Jazz – ROOTNOTEMUSIC BLOG

Public radio inspiration and homage to Bebo Valdes

Mar 23, 2013

in Blues, Cuba, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Los Angeles, Salsa Music, Soul

Hey y’all. Missed ya. I’m still here – listening and digging deep for the best in roots and roots-inspired music. I felt inspired tonight listening to the heart and soul of LA music on public radio. Yesterday a legend of Latin music passed away, Bebo Valdes, and over at KJazz (88.1), they were playing his…

Bio Ritmo: psychedelic salsa dura

Apr 15, 2012

in Electronic, Jazz, Keyboards, Latin Jazz, Piano, Salsa Music

All the photos in this blog are by Chris Smith. Richmond-based salsa band Bio Ritmo has been playing their progressive, original, 70s Puerto Rican-style salsa for over 20 years. The lineup has changed over the years, but one thing has remained the same – true, pushing-the-limits, road-warrior musicians. I first saw this band at an…

Mulatu Astatke & Ethio-jazz

Mar 28, 2011

in Ethio-jazz, Ethiopia, Jazz, Latin Jazz

Wow, hello there! Sheesh – been awhile! I’ve been a hiatus for the past few months, but hopefully I’m back for good. I’ve been recuperating from a surgery so spending a lot of time plugged into what is going on in the world (prayers to Japan and the Mid-East/North Africa most definitely) and also pop…

Legends of the 88s: Cuba to Chicago, New Orleans to New York

Sep 6, 2010

in Blues, Chicago, Country, Creole, Cuba, Jazz, Keyboards, Latin Jazz, New Orleans, New York City, Piano, Salsa Music

Since September is traditionally back-to-school month, I thought I’d do a short history lesson on some of the most influential roots piano players. Whether barrelhouse, boogie woogie, boogaloo, or rumba, hard pounding rhythmic piano playing has found its home in the brothels and the concert halls, with styles traveling that swath of land and sea…

Dizzy Gillespie, Bebop, & Latin Jazz

May 14, 2010

in Bebop, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Trumpet

I was watching this amazing video below (the “United Nations Orchestra”) of master jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and a friend commented that because he lived until the age of 75, he didn’t get the same iconic status as Charlie Parker. We couldn’t see him as the true jazz prophet he actually was, because we saw…