THE MAC650 LATIN JAZZ WORKSHOP

While playing at last nights Latin Jazz workshop—the first ever held at the MAC650 gallery in Middletown—the small gathering of talented local musicians experienced once again how time itself becomes somehow different than the usual passing of seconds, minutes, or even hours. As any musician can attest to, musical shifting of temporal space, and how within that space time unfolds in ways and through movements which lie beyond familiar temporal frameworks, is a sensation unlike any other.

True music lovers know that close listening offers some of this sensation and, for lack of a better word, enjoyment! (and dare I say “entertainment?”) However, playing music is an experience that cannot be easily put into words, although music students and scholars, journalists, and critics certainly try their best, attempting to describe what is a rather ineffable, ephemeral, and simply indescribable artistic phenomenon. In any case, it is a sensation that I wish everyone could experience as musicians do.

David Davis

Meeting to experiment with the music of Mongo Santamaria, Miles Davis, Carla Bley, even attempting to play a reworked version of Eddie Harris’s classic “Freedom (now Latin) Jazz Dance,” Middletown saxman David Davis and percussionist Trevor Davis joined in to play Latin jazz masterworks such as “Come Candela,” reworked standards such as “Blue in Green,” “Ojos de Gato,” and Brazilian Jobim’s bossa nova chestnut “How Insensative.” Coltrane’s “Naima” in 6/8 meter was a highlight of the session.

The goal of the workshop is to grow Latin Jazz right here in central Connecticut. With the participation of musicians interested in creative experimentation with Latin rhythms from all over, and new improvisational techniques, the aim is to forge a collaborative ensemble inspired by the work of Latin Jazz artists such as Ray Barretto, the Fort Apache Band, Eddie Palmieri’s orchestras, Sergio Mendes, among many others. The musical field is wide open and the MAC650 workshop is an ideal laboratory. So join us!

Trevor Davis

If you’re interested in participating in our next Latin Jazz workshop, call 860-343-1516; for further information, check back on this blog.

To get on the Latin Jazz Workshop email list, write me at arevarc@mac.com.

Consider yourselves invitados. P’alante musicos!

Jorge Arévalo Mateus