Heineken Jazz Festival 2011 Opening Night Concert

By: Marcos Rios

The 21st edition of the Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest kicked off in grand fashion this week. Not only is the festival in its 21st year, but it’s also celebrating a posthumous tribute to Dizzy Gillespie and the Cuban Conga player Chano Pozo. One of Gillespie’s and Pozo’s contributions to music was that during their lifetime they managed to create a fusion between Afro-Cuban music and American Jazz; creating the genre we now call Latin Jazz.

A common trend seen in the opening night is that of different styles. The group that opened the event was led by Richie Flores and his Sextet, in which they mixed elements of Puerto Rican and Cuban musical elements with modern jazz arrangements. In this group one can hear the influence musicians like Gillespie and Pozo had on the artists. The group consisted of Richie Flores (Musical Director/congas), John Benitez (bass), Robby Ameen (drums), Elio Villafranca (piano), Mike Rodriguez (trumpet), Ivan Renta (saxophone) and Marfil Delgado (voice).

The Richie Flores Sextet had very tight arrangements with intricate metrical and harmonic changes which made the set very exciting to listen to. The Musical Director/percussionist was also very exciting to listen to, and regarding Flores wonderful use of his melodic conga playing, the talented musician established very early on in the set that he is a virtuoso of the congas, being able to play very fast, as well as melodically.

One of the hightlights of the night was Flores’ invitation on stage of his new group of traditional Puerto Rican folk musicians called “Onda Mora,” which had just vocals, percussion and a bit of dancing; this provided a nice contrast to their progressive part of the set. Another highlight was the tune they played in honor of the great Dizzy Gillespie, an arrangement of Gillespie’s “Groovin’ High.” The solo played by John Benitez, which contained experience and musicality, set Benitez from many other bassists, while Mike Rodriguez’s solo was drenched in the bebop tradition.

Next to take the stage, and keeping on with the synthesis of musical traditions, was veteran jazzer Monty Alexander and the Harlem Kingston Express, which contained two groups, one which was more of a straight ahead jazz trio and the other a group of Jamaican musicians. These two groups would trade transitionally during the set, often times playing straight ahead jazz, funk, bolero, reggae and other musical genres. The trio was evocative of the Oscar Peterson trio; Alexander’s tasteful playing showing the audience his incredible musicality and mature style.

The Jamaican group would often be playing either reggae grooves or Bob Marley tunes which the audience loved. The incredible musicians in the Harlem Kingston Express featured Monty Alexander (Musical Director/piano), Obed Calvaire (drums), Hassan Shakur (acoustic bass), Earl Appleton (keyboard), Bobby Thomas (percussion), Wendel Ferraro (guitar), Courtney Patton (electric bass) and Desmond Jones(drums/percussion).

I found it very cool how freely Monty Alexander would lead the changes between the two groups, covering an array of different textures during a short period of time. Alexander’s tune choice, as well as his arrangements, led to a wonderful set in which one could hear the wide array of Alexander’s musical influences.

Opening Night Pics

Heineken Jazz Fest Opening Night

Heineken Jazz Fest Opening Night

Heineken Jazz Fest Opening Night

Heineken Jazz Fest Opening Night