Personnel:
Guillermo Klein (p, vcl), Chris Cheek, Bill McHenry (ts, ss), Gorka Benítez (ts, fl), Sandro Tomasi (tb), Taylor Haskins, Juan Cruz de Urquiza (tp), Ben Monder (g), Fernando Huergo (b), Richard Nant (tp, perc), Jeff Ballard (d), Carme Canela (vcl)
Reference: FSNT-218
Bar code: 8427328422185
The arrival of Argentinean musician Guillermo Klein in Barcelona in 2003 was well received by the city's jazz community. This good reception was, however, not surprising given the prestige that Guillermo enjoyed in New York as composer, arranger and director of his band Los Guachos. In Barcelona he presently plays the piano with groups such as those of Giulia Valle and Joe Smith and has put together his own band, which features Gorka Benítez, David Xirgu and Carme Canela among others.
In autumn of 2004, Guillermo returned to New York to perform with Los Guachos. Two monthes later, it was invited to perform with Los Guachos at the 36th Barcelona Jazz Festival. For a such special occasion, Juan de Cruz Urquiza and Richard nant flew in from Buenos Aires, Chris Cheek, Bill McHenry, Taylor Haskins, Sandro Tomasi, Jeff Ballard and Ben Monder came from New York and Fernando Huergo from Boston.
Los Guachos were joined by two regular Fresh Sound New Talent artists, Gorka Benítez and Carme Canela.
The result was an intense and brilliant concert that took place in the cozy setting of the Luz de Gas venue.
"Woven with the colorful tapestry of a full jazz orchestra, this live recording in Barcelona captures the music of Argentinean pianist/composer Guillermo Klein, who is noted for his cerebral, progressive, and culturally rich music. The concert was captured in the intimate setting of the Luz de Gas Theatre-hall and it conveys closeness between the musicians and an enthusiastic audience. The highly orchestrated compositions range from the gaucho-istic opening piece Blues de Liz to the street vibes of Juana and the romanticism of Ojos Cerrados, featuring vocalist Carme Canela.
Klein uses his orchestra to its full potential. The music changes through many forms, like along the surreal lines of Intercambio Moral, where the piano and other instruments provide dissonant notes behind the somber melody. The dancing rhythm of Child's Play is threaded with a funky guitar riff; Chucaro, laden with complex horn arrangements, beautiful flute work, and rich percussion. The intricacies of Kleins writing skills are captured on Richard, with its moving horn work, addition of voice, and detailed melodic patterns and solos. There are many memorable individual efforts, but the accent is unmistakably on the orchestra as a whole, which fully realizes its role through Kleins ingenious use of music and interpretation to capture ones imagination."
- Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz, July 2005
