Henry Cole, Miguel Zenón, Hans Glawischnig, and Luis Perdomo photo courtesy of the artists.
Saturday, February 29, 8pm
Town Hall Forum
1119 8th Ave
Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón arrives for a February 29th date in Seattle. Zenón possesses the usual accolades associated with someone of his stature in music, including multiple Grammy nominations and recordings both as a leader and sideman. He is held in high regard for his prodigious virtuosity and artistry and is well-known as a founding member of the SFJAZZ Collective, whom he spent 14 years with.
Accolades aside, Zenón’s true legend is the propagation of new ideas in music, which he does by expressing his Puerto Rican heritage through jazz in such a way that creates new form.
Throughout his illustrious career, the musician/composer has created music that touches the jazz tradition in such a way that is as unique to America’s quintessential art form as the rich culture of Puerto Rico is to American culture at large.
For his date at Town Hall, Zenón celebrates his traditional quartet featuring pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Henry Cole. The quartet has a 15-year history to draw from, most recently stated on their latest album Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera, which pays tribute to the legendary Puerto Rican vocalist and interpreter who revolutionized Latin-American music in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Sonero marks Zenón’s 11th album as a leader.
The quartet plays jazz on the cutting edge of Latin roots and post-bop modernism. Make no mistake—this is not music rising from Afro-Caribbean Latin jazz forms. Zenón’s compositions for this eclectic ensemble venture into a very modern aesthetic of jazz.
Zenón’s alto style is punctuated by his bright, ornate tone ignited by a true sense of intellectual curiosity. His solos can begin in a very ordinary sense and slowly build into something extraordinary. By rite of his own compositional attributes and stylistic innovation, he continually challenges his intrinsic sensibilities as a player.
Drummer Henry Cole is the underlying driving force behind this eclectic foursome. Cole is at the forefront of percussive innovation, embracing cross-cultural 21st century rhythms. His pioneering style is enhanced by his history with Chano Domínguez, Gary Burton, Quincy Jones, and Fabian Almazan. Cole’s sees music as “one world,” reaching beyond styles with a message of determination and unity.
Caracas-born pianist Luis Perdomo draws parallels to his bandmates with his vision that traverses world culture. Perdomo’s current residency in the quartets of Zenón and Ravi Coltrane illuminates perfectly his stylistic tendencies. Perdomo’s intelligent, empathic playing is truly the tie that binds this quartet as one.
Austrian-born bassist Hans Glawischnig has pushed the envelope of Latin Jazz to its extreme limits in ensembles led by David Sánchez and, most notably, the great Ray Barretto. His experience in the center of this Latin explosion of creativity and deep roots in Euro-Post Bop eclecticism make him a dynamically perfect foil for Cole. The result is a supporting and balanced rhythm section for Zenón to freely take flight. –Paul Rauch
Tickets available at earshot.org.
