All About Jazz CD ReviewPapo Vazquez and The Mighty Pirates | Picaro RecordsBy Jerry D'SouzaFate deals its own hand. Papo Vazquez and The Mighty Pirates were scheduled to perform at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphiawhen an ice storm came by the previous day.And so, a two-hour drive from New York City turned intoa five-hour ordeal. One would think that the strains of the journey would tell on the band.But that thought perishes from the moment the first note float in.Trombonist Vazquez has the innate ability of letting his music breathe andspeaking eloquently. It turns on the anvil he calls Afro Puerto Rican Jazz,but he blends in several idioms that make up Latin jazz. More, he fleshes the music with swing and bop, letting the whole coalesce into rich orchestral textures. His skill as an arranger also leaves a soloist enough room to make an impact.The Mighty Pirates get right down to communicating with the audience.They make it known that they are “Happy to be Here,” an up-tempo tunethat flies from the reverberating bed of the percussive rhythm. The solosspin into a heady atmosphere, each bringing in a different element thatjuxtaposes the way in which a tune can be developed and built into ahypnotic document. The horns are agile as altoist Bruce Williams fills themelody with jazz harmonies, getting into the core to find his own well ofsaturating ideas. Vazquez is in control, he never goes over the top. Hisambit is circular, flitting into the tune and kissing it gently. This sitsperfectly against the deeper swath cut by tenor saxophonist Willie Williams.”Pa' Mingus” a tribute to Charles Mingus is a showcase for bassist JohnBenitez. His phrases are incisive of the mood, yet he never succumbs toaping Mingus. He is a man of his own trajectory, which makes listening tohim a constant delight of expectancy. Written in a mainstream jazz modethe soloists, led by Ralph Bowen (tenor saxophone), capture that focusperfectly. Freddie Hendrix (trumpet) loosens molten bop and JasonMarshall (baritone saxophone) stretches the melody and gives it a depthcharge. Vazquez has the final say, with light, bouncy lines that dancewinsomely in a sunny atmosphere. The orchestration is top-notch, turningthis into an extraordinary experience.”Julia Jibarita” is a bolero aguinaldo. Vazquez is a simmering presence,emotion resonating in every note. He gets solid support from poignantpianist Zaccai Curtis.Judging from the music, the Painted Bride Center was where the heat wasblazing that evening. The cold had been effectively isolated.Jesse Bermudez, Executive Producer/AMLAPapo Vazquez, ProducerPainted Bride Art Center - Co-ProducerMighty Pirate Orchestra SaxesBruce Williams - Lead Alto Sax, Flute & Soprano SaxRobert Landham - 2nd Alto Sax & ClarinetWillie Williams - 1st Tenor Sax, Clarinet & 1st Mate Ralph Bowen - 2nd Tenor, Piccolo, Jason Marshall - Baritone Sax & Bass ClarinetTrumpetsWalter White - Lead Trumpet, Flugel hornAlbert Leusink- 2nd Trumpet, Flugel horn Freddie Hendrix - 3rd Trumpet, Flugel hornNelson Jaime - 4th TrumpetTrombonesErick Storckman - 1st TromboneLuis Cruz - 2nd TromboneReynaldo Jorge - 3rd TromboneDave Taylor - Bass TromboneZaccai Curtis - PianoJohn Benitez - BassVictor Jones - DrumsAnthony Carrillo – Barril de Bomba, Pandero, Surdo, BongoJuan Gutierrez – Barril de Bomba & Güìcharo Camilo Molina – Barril de Bomba, Pandero, Surdo, Cua