Personnel:
Paquito D'Rivera (as, cl), Mike Ponella, Diego Urcola (tp), Conrad Herwig, William Cepeda (tb), Scott Robinson, Marshall McDonald (reeds), Dario Eskenazi (p), Fareed Haque (g), Oscar Stagnaro (b), Mark Walter (d), Pernell Saturnino (perc)
Reference: MCG1003
Bar code: 600065100327
The United Nation Orchestra is a wonderful assembly of international musicians. Their individual talent is only surpassed by their collective energy. Paquito D'Rivera leads the ensemble in a spirited night of latin jazz. The group really burns through the dance rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and other nations. The ensemble plays together with a united feel. The solos of the many talented musicians add to the intensity of the music. When the music is slowed down, as in the duet between Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet and Oscar Stagnaro on bass on the cut "Andalucia Medley," the spirit and drive of the msuic remains. The album closes with with "A Night in Tunisia," a fitting tribute to the man who formed the UNO: Dizzy Gillespie.
This Grammy nominated CD captures the energy of this live session. If you are a fan of Latin and Afro-Cuban music, and enjoy the powerful sound of a large ensemble, than this is a CD to add to your collection.
"Paquito D'Rivera's second recording as leader of the United Nation Orchestra features a live concert from 1997. By then the ensemble (which was Dizzy Gillespie's last big band) [...] it still had plenty to offer including such players as trombonists Conrad Herwig and William Cepeda, guitarist Fareed Haque, trumpeter Diego Urcola, and, of course, its leader. Most of the material on the CD is from bandmembers but the three most memorable selections originated elsewhere: Emiliano Salvador's "Puerto Padre," Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia," and Ernesto Lecuona's "Andalucia Medley," which is taken as a clarinet-bass duet."
—Scott Yanow (All Music Guide)
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"The United Nation Orchestra is a wonderful assembly of international musicians. Their individual talent is only surpassed by their collective energy. Paquito D'Rivera leads the ensemble in a spirited night of latin jazz. The group really burns through the dance rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and other nations. The ensemble plays together with a united feel. The solos of the many talented musicians add to the intensity of the music. When the music is slowed down, as in the duet between Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet and Oscar Stagnaro on bass on the cut "Andalucia Medley," the spirit and drive of the msuic remains. The album closes with with "A Night in Tunisia," a fitting tribute to the man who formed the UNO: Dizzy Gillespie.
I was fortunate enough to be there the night this concert was recorded at the Manchester Craftmen's Guild in Pittsburgh. This Grammy nominated CD captures the energy of that night. If you are a fan of Latin and Afro-Cuban music, and enjoy the powerful sound of a large ensemble, than this is a CD to add to your collection."
—Amazon customer (January 16, 1999)
