Wow.  It is not always easy to distinguish one Latin jazz band from the next, but somewhere in the middle of Gabriel Espinosa’s CD release show, I was transported to a world of exotic and exciting colors, rhythms and weather patterns that are not part of the continental USA.

Espinosa’s featured-singer Allison Wedding’s full potential was not readily revealed as her instrument was cleverly used as subtle Latin vocalese.   Although Espinosa’s own vocals were top notch and sensitive, he eventually allowed Wedding to show more of herself until the evening exploded with her two smashing originals, blowing up the house.   Owning a voice with the sweetness of a Jane Monhiet and the edge of a pop belter like Celine Dion, this jazz singer has the potential to be among the best out there.  I would only caution her to make sure to stay on the core of her tone even (and especially) in the soft parts.  With a bit more high and back “ribcage” expansion support she could preserve this flawless instrument.

The virtuosity and flexibility of each band member were showcased – Paul Meyer’s guitar recreated the sound of wind chimes in a breeze while the wondrously gifted clarinetist, Anat Cohen, played with brilliance in the top register and had a molasses-like richness in the other part of her seemingly endless range.  The other featured players — Claudio Roditi, trumpet/ flugelhorn and Dick Oateson, alto sax — were equally virtuosic, with Adriano Santos rounding it all off with his drumset.

Ultimately the evening’s success fell on Gabriel Espinosa — who managed to pull off the almost unheard of feat by creating a program of originals (examples being “Morning Breeze” and companion piece “Hurricane”) as compelling as one of familiar standards.  The one standard he did sing, “Perfida,” clearly came from a man whose very soul is embedded in this music. His bass guitar resonated deeply and warmly.  It is quite ironic that he is the jazz professor of the Midwestern (Iowa!) Central College music department, as alumni news-man Howard K. Smith pointed out in his brief introduction.  You’ve gotta love that — the audience certainly did.

Melody Breyer-Grell
Cabaret Scenes
August 5, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org