With an increase in the number of Latin jazz albums recorded and sold in recent years, there are now a large number of Latin jazz albums available to fans. New artists are popping up like crazy, and there’s never been a better time to be a fan of Latin jazz. The sheer volume of Latin jazz, and particularly Afro-Cuban, can be overwhelming to a new listener. With all of this music available, I’d like to offer a short list or guide to some of the essential and historically significant albums currently available. In short, a list of “desert islands” for the Afro-Cuban jazz fan …
1. Mario Bauza- “La Suite Tanga”
One of the fathers of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauza has left us an incredible volume of good music. This album is one of the most important in the repertoire and shows examples of Bauza’s skill as a composer in creating extended compositions for the Latin big band. This was recorded in 1991 but contains compositions by Bauza dating back decades.
2. Eddie Palmieri- “The sun of Latin music”
Eddie Palmieri is a leading figure in the development of salsa and Latin jazz. This 1973 album shows many influences that Palmieri combines in an absolutely unique way, including danzón, guaguanco, cumbia and other styles that his contemporaries never thought to incorporate. A true visionary, Palmieri shows his brilliance as an arranger, composer, and oh yeah, let’s not forget to play the piano!
3. Cal Tjader – “Monterey Concerts”
Cal Tjader was a pioneer of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz on the West Coast. This is a live album from the vibraphonist’s group that will perform at the 1959 Monterey Jazz Festival, a group that includes percussionists Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. This is the original recording of Santamaría’s Latin jazz standard, “Afro-Blue.” No collection of Latin jazz is complete without this monumental record.
4. Poncho Sánchez- “Sonando”
This 1982 date was recorded shortly after the passing of Cal Tjader, who was a tremendous influence on Sánchez. He recorded on several of Tjader’s albums and is known for his fiery conga playing and for bringing an R&B influence to Afro-Cuban jazz. Sánchez, one of the best-selling and most popular bandleaders in the business, continues to delight and excite audiences around the world.
5. Tito Puente- “Top Percussion”
The name of this 1957 record is quite appropriate, since Puente, one of the great pioneers of Afro-Cuban jazz, assembles a legendary percussion formation of Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Francisco Aguabella and Julito Collaza. An album of fundamental importance in the history of this music, which also features the lead trumpet work of a young Doc Severinson.