Latin Jazz at MAC650 transforms into a Psychelia Drum Circle!

by Jorge Arévalo Mateus

Owing to the absence of a few key players, last night’s workshop turned into a session for the ensemble’s drummers to lock-in on essential rhythm exercises. Accompanied by bass, and with new participant James Day adding electronic washes, psychedelic atmospherics, and crunchy melodic elements a la Korg, the ensemble’s forays into odd-metered, ambient Latin funk, rumba columbia from Cuba, and Brazilian street carnival samba rhythms took on an entirely experimental cast. It was, as if, Andy Gonzalez (Fort Apache Band) had jammed with Sun Ra’s Space Arkestra! or if Zappa had delved into Afro-Cuban son montuno. Adding to the rhythm-fest was local artist Paul Gobell, whose uniquely idiosyncratic clave and guiro added yet another dimension to the percussive sonics.

It was a fun session—one of those where you feel re-energized by the end. And these musicians worked it!

I have never heard anything like it! It was different and inviting, with a few curious passerby’s stopping in to the MAC650 Artspace for a closer listen.

Hope you can join us at our next session, scheduled for April 7th at 7 pm sharp!