A bite from the apple—New York

Latin Beat Magazine, Oct, 2005 by Vicki Sola

Vibes--or more specifically, vibraphones--are really happening in the Big Apple these days. Or rather, they're happening again; of course in the '60s, the Joe Cuba Sextet's unique Nuyorican sound personified a city, a culture, and a musical era. José Calderón, a.k.a. Joe Cuba, formed his sextet in the mid-50s, utilizing the vibraphone as a leading instrument, and at times, English-language lyrics. By 1967, Joe Cuba found himself with a sizzling, coast-to-coast crossover hit on his hands when Bang, Bang appeared on the U.S. "hit parades." I know I'm dating myself when I reminisce about my entire, multi-cultural eighth-grade gym class dancing to that record. We played those funny-looking 45s back in my days, black vinyl discs with large holes; items my son thought were prehistoric precursors to frisbees. But, what a sound, what memories!

We've experienced the giants, such as Cal Tjader, Tito Puente and com poser, arranger, bandleader, pianist and vibraphonist Louie Ramírez.

We've also been fans of pianist/vibraphonist Chico Mendoza's Ocho, and the well-loved New Swing Sextet, featuring exceptional vibraphonist George Rodríguez (and fiery pianist Yeyo Salgado). Another of my favorite groups was La Calle, headed by pianist Eduardo Sposito, featuring vibraphonist/percussionist Freddy Roldan. After the album La Calle (Sonotone) was released in 1985, the band disappeared into oblivion, as far as I know. If you manage to find their production anywhere, check out Poco a Poco, A Maína, and Sabrosona.

To say that the vibraphone remains relevant is an understatement; the instrument continues to excite the senses and stir the souls of listeners and dancers alike, lending a distinctive quality to the music--salsa, Latin jazz, and jazz--that nearly defies description. (Maybe an oxymoronic "searing-hot coolness" comes close?) However you describe it, hearing vibes makes you crave them more.

In this millennium, we hear the sounds of José Mangual, Jr. and Jimmy Sabater's Son Boricua (with the timeless vibraphone played by Sonny Rivera, Mike Freeman, and more recently, A.J. Mantas). Vibraphonist/bandleader Steve Pouchie delights fans all over the city with his elegantly swinging brand of Latin jazz. I recommend both Pouchie's public access cable TV show, "Latín Jazz--Alive n' Kicking" and his CD Vibe Mania (Latin Jazz Society).

Remember Carabalí, the group led by Oscar Hernández and Raúl "Primo" Alomar that made its debut in 1988, featuring Aris Martínez, Ray Martínez, Ray Colón, Marc Quiñones, and vibraphonist Valerie Naranjo? Well, Carabalí has been revived with different players by original members Aris Martínez and Ray Colón. During its recent and very successful debut at La Maganette, the group's original arrangements remained intact.

On June 3rd, trumpeter Ray Vega's Latin jazz quintet wowed concert-goers at Flushing Town Hall. A veteran of the bands led by Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, and Mongo Santamaría, Vega replaced piano with vibraphones with stunning effect. Playing vibes for Vega was one of his former Purchase students, James Shipp, featured along with another Purchase graduate student, bassist Chris Haney, as well as drummer Peter Retzlaff and conguero Wilson "Chembo" Corniel. Vega told me that he chose to substitute a vibraphone for the piano because, sonically speaking, he was seeking a less dense sound.

This past July 31st, at Queens College, trombonist Demetrios Kastaris, leader of the Latin-Jazz Coalition, performed as part of the "First Annual Queens Summerfest," along with other bands, including Ray Vega's Latin Jazz Sextet, Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, and Jessica Valiente's Los Mas Valientes. Kastaris was excited about his group's members--Edy Martínez (piano), Solo Rodríguez (bass), Hiram Remón and Chico Álvarez (vocals), Connie Grossman (flute), Ali Bello (violín), Noah Bless (trombone), Angel Rodríguez (bongó), Chembo Corniel (conga), and Christos Rafalides (vibraphone).

Grupo Latin Vibe came bursting onto the scene last year with its CD Mambo City. Now it has moved to higher ground with the outrageously outstanding production, AII That Vibe. Led by conguero/lead vocalist Anibal "Tito" Rivera and vibraphonist Tommy Mattioli, Latin Vibe's lineup includes bassist Carlos "Traba" Velázquez, percussionist Awilda Santiago, pianist William Paul, bongocero Giancarlo "Panamá" Anderson, and timbalero Victor Rendón. Invited guests include percussionists Willie Rivera Serrano, Heriberto Rodríguez and Manny Mieles.

Listeners tired by redone covers will be pleased indeed. Eleven of the CD's twelve tracks are original compositions written by Rivera and Mattioli, who handle all arrangements. Grupo Latin Vibe is a tight and dynamic, vibraphone-driven band that possesses that spark. They've played the Copacabana, the West Gate Lounge, TJ Bentley's, Hartford, Connecticut's Club Barcelona, and can be heard every Friday night at the Parkside Lounge (on Manhattan's Lower East Side), where their long-running engagement continues. At this writing, Grupo Latin Vibe is on La Maganette's roster.