New York Times Recommends Claudia's Upcoming Performances

Nate Chinen, New York Times

Claudia Acuña (Friday through Sunday)
“En Este Momento” (Marsalis Music) is the most rewarding album by this Chilean jazz singer in some time. Offering original material and songs by the Chilean singer-songwriter Victor Jara (among others), Ms. Acuña radiates ardor and acuity, connecting easily with a band that includes the guitarist Juancho Herrera, who reappears here. At 7:30 and 9:30p.m., with an 11:30 set on Friday and Saturday, Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street, Manhattan.

Submitted by crwadmin on November 13th, 2009 — 01:00am

Washington Post Reviews "En Este Momento"

Mike Joyce, Washington Post

Kindrid spirits: Elis Regina, Abbey Lincoln, Victor Jara
Show: Tuesday at Blues Alley. Shows start at 8 and 10p.m.

With her keen jazz sensibilities and improvisational finesse, acclaimed Chilean singer-songwriter Claudia Acuña personalizes pop and jazz standards with great ease. On “En Este Moment,” however, Acuña turns her attention to mostly Spanish-language material: original songs as well as contributions by Chilean poet Victor Jara, Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla and others. Read more »

Submitted by crwadmin on November 13th, 2009 — 01:00am

& improvisational freedom">Esta Plena embodies excellence - memorable performances, vigorous composition, & improvisational freedom

Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz

From the fruits of winning both a MacArthur (”genius grant”) and Guggenheim Fellowship in 2008, alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, expands his clear vision of modern jazz and Puerto Rican folk music in Esta Plena. With an incisive voice, his involvement with the SFJAZZ Collective, Guillermo Klein’s Y Los Gauchos and Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra is well documented, but his own recordings are what truly reflect his unique heritage and identity. Read more »

Submitted by crwadmin on November 9th, 2009 — 01:00am

Natural Phenomenon-Gracefully powerful and effortlessly swinging, 18-year-old drum prodigy Justin Faulkner is dropping jaws with the Branford Marsalis Quartet

Date: 11.01.2009
Publication: Jazz Times
Author: Shaun Brady

 

During the last week of August, Justin Faulkner essentially bade farewell to Philadelphia by filling a familiar role-playing house drummer behind vibraphonist Tony Miceli for the weekly jam session at Chris’ Jazz Café.
Read more »

Submitted by Ben on November 1st, 2009 — 12:00am

Folk Art: On Esta Plena, saxophonist Miguel Zenón matches the proletarian plena music of his native Puerto Rico with modern-jazz ethos

Date: 11.01.2009
Publication: Jazz Times
Author: Fernando Gonzalez


Smart and tough, the music on saxophonist Miguel Zenón’s Esta Plena (Marsalis) often evokes the sounds of his neighborhood back in Puerto Rico. But Esta Plena is not about nostalgia- it’s about a certain wisdom.
Read more »

Submitted by Ben on November 1st, 2009 — 12:00am