2009 Latin Jazz Drum Kit Player Of The Year: Hugo Alcázar - Áurea, Geoffrey Keezer - (english version)

2009 Latin Jazz Drum Kit Player Of The Year: Hugo Alcázar - Áurea, Geoffrey Keezer

The drum kit holds a unique position in the Latin Jazz world that both breaks tradition and pushes it into the future. In traditional music from South America and the Caribbean, the drum kit doesn’t hold a position in most ensembles - rhythmic duties are given to a variety of percussion instruments. A skilled drum kit player can combine the interlocking percussion patterns from most South American and Caribbean ensembles into a single part. This involves the integration of several different sounds into the drum kit and a variety of new techniques. In a Cuban setting, a variety of bells move into the drum kit; in a Brazilian setting, agogo bells and the tambourin might fit into the kit; and Peruvian work can utilize a cajon. Not every drum kit player will take the time to move beyond their standard application in order to execute these rhythms authentically. For some musicians, a watered down version of the rhythms suit their needs; in a setting that respects tradition the correct application of these rhythms are absolutely necessary though. The drum kit player that successfully masters these rhythms opens their performance opportunities into several exciting possibilities. In a jazz setting the drum kit player with all these talents holds the ability to interact with soloists, travel into swing or funk sections, emphasize key points in a composition. With these factors in place, the drum kit acts as a key connection between tradition and innovation.

2009 Latin Jazz Drum Kit Player Of The Year Hugo Alcázar brings together Peruvian tradition and a forward looking jazz aesthetic on pianist Geoffrey Keezer’s Áurea. Between Keezer’s vast jazz abilities and the cadre of Peruvian expertise, the recording contains all the right elements to guarantee an Afro-Peruvian Jazz classic - but Alcázar is the glue that makes the product work. Alcázar’s ability to mix the cajon with a traditional drum kit allows him to blend improvisatory jazz aesthetics with traditional Peruvian rhythms, setting the stage for an honest Afro-Peruvian Jazz performance. As Keezer places a richly harmonized structure beneath Sofia Rei Koutsovitis’ vocal on “La Flor Azul,” Alcázar creates an addictively interactive drive, playing cajon and ride cymbal simultaneously. Alcázar’s jazz festejo swings with a charging forward motion on “Cayendo Para Arriba” allowing him to comment upon solo work from Keezer and saxophonist Steve Wilson with an Elvin Jones inspired intensity. A mixture of space and understated intensity informs Alcázar’s landó rhythm on “Miraflores,” helping the group ride the song through a strong series of rises and falls. A sensitive duet between Keezer and Koutsovitis on “Vidala De Lucho” grows into a captivating emotional climax driven by impressive brush work from Alcázar. There’s a wealth of possibilities for the drum kit in this context, and Alcázar captures them all, delivering an incredibly musical performance throughout the album.

cortesy: http://www.chipboaz.com/blog/2009/12/30/best-latin-jazz-of-2009-awards-bass-piano-drum-kit-percussion/

2009 Latin Jazz Percussionist
Arturo Stable - Call, Arturo Stable Quintet

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2009 Latin Jazz Drum Kit Player
Hugo Alcázar - Áurea, Geoffrey Keezer

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2009 Latin Jazz Pianist
Pepe Céspedes - Para Los Engreidos, Manante

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2009 Latin Jazz Bassist
Noel Marambio - Para Los Engreidos, Manante

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2009 Latin Jazz Saxophone Player
Justin Janer - Kenya Revisited, Live!!!, Bobby Sanabria Conducting The Manhattan School Of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra

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2009 Latin Jazz Trumpet Player
Jonathan Powell - El Viaje, The Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra

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2009 Latin Jazz Trombone
Ryan Keberle - El Viaje, The Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra

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2009 Latin Jazz Vocalist
Sofia Rei Koutsovitis - Sube Azul, Sofia Rei Koutsovitis

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2009 Latin Jazz Guitarist
Yuri Juarez - Afroperuano, Yuri Juarez

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2009 Latin Jazz Flautist
Miguel Martinez - The Sonido Moderno Project, Coto Pincheira

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2009 Latin Jazz Composition
“El Bajonazo” from El Viaje, The Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra - Pedro Giraudo, composer

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2009 Latin Jazz Arrangement
“Oyeme” from Kenya Revisited, Live!!!, Bobby Sanabria Conducting The Manhattan School Of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra
Danny Rivera, arranger

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2009 Latin Jazz Record Label
Marsalis Music

Important 2009 Marsalis Music Latin Jazz Releases:

Miguel Zenón: Esta Plena

Claudia Acuña: En Este Momento

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2009 Latin Jazz Album Artwork
Sube Azul, Sofia Rei Koutsovitis - Emra Islek, Photography & Federico Raffetto, Artwork