released July 23, 2015

1 Softly (as in a morning sunrise)*
This great standard is reinvented using one of the main rhythms of Puerto-Rico, the Plena. The vamps are based on William Cepeda’s “Next Plena” and a big thank you goes to Pepe Jimenez for his passion, expertise and a great master class about Plena. And then Jorge Machain put it all together in this wonderful arrangement.


2, Paulistana (Elian Elias)
Eliane Elias’s beautiful cross between a Brazilian Samba and a Cuban Son.
Arranged by Sean Carbone it features the horn section and our pianist Halsey gets to lay out , dance and be a percussionist.


3, Africa (David Paich/Jeff Porcaro)
The iconic Toto tune receives a clave update by Austin Pooley. It’s a Salsa arrangement featuring Timba, the modern Cuban style Salsa which originated in the mid 90’s in Havana.


4, Where (Uli Geissendoerfer/Beat Kaestli)*
I wrote this modal tune originally as an instrumental. Beat Kaestli, the great Swiss Jazz vocalist wrote very cool lyrics and
Jorge Machain adapted it for our ensemble.


5, Caribbean Firedance (Joe Henderson)
Julian Tanaka wrote this kickin’ arrangement of the Joe Henderson standard. It’s a fun romp through all kinds of elements with a surprise at every turn. It will put a guaranteed smile on your face.


6, La Comparsa (Ernesto Lecuona)
The Cuban Danzon is the link from the music of European drawing rooms of the 19th century to the beginning of purely Cuban music in form of the Charanga. The enigmatic bass line of the original is still key in this beautiful arrangement by
Halsey Harkins.


7, Attack of the Penguins (Halsey Harkins)
This original by Halsey Harkins starts with a pensive melody which builds and builds eventually giving way to a 12/8
Spanish Rumba section.


8, Bangalore Breakdown (Premik Russell Tubbs/Uli Geissendoerfer)*
The theme song of Premik and my New York band by the same name. It uses an Indian Raga often called the Spanish or Jewish scale or simply Melakarta #18. In our arrangement it’s a “new style”, the Indian Rumba.

*denotes the Downbeat winning selections

Players
Trumpet: Jorge Machain (1,4,5,6,8) Hazen Mayo (2,3,7)
Trombone: Nick Veslany (1,4,5,6,8) Jason Vasquez (2,3,7)
Alto & Soprano Saxophone: Jacob Yansen
Tenor Saxophone: Carlos Mata-Alvarez (1,4,5,6,8) Keaton Martin (2,3,7)
Guitar: Sean Carbone
Piano: Halsey Harkins
Bass: RJ Reyes (1,4,5,6,8) Carlos Holguin (2,3,7)
Drums: Austin Pooley (1,2,3,6,8) Gyasi Greer (4,5,7)
Percussion: Gyasi Greer (1,2,3,6,8) Austin Pooley (4,5,7)