Arturo Sandoval Music

Very poor recording of Arturo Sandoval. The engineer never adjusted or equalized the microphones. Instruments were barely heard. Video quality not goos as well. Sorry.

I just want to copy the review in Spanish from laconga.org.
I found it helpful and informative.
Raramente un músico domina el arte del jazz, la música clásica y el jazz latino con tal técnica y pureza como lo hace Arturo Sandoval.
Despues de su éxito rotundo en Cuba con la agrupación fundada por Jesus "Chucho" Valdes, Sandoval se asila en los Estados Unidos en donde continuará llevando el legado musical cubano a todo el mundo.

Su habilidad con la trompeta, y en especial su estilo al lograr y sostener altas notas hacen de su sonido algo único y placentero.
Esta vez desde Inglaterra (1992), Arturo nos da una muestra de talento y fuerza no solo al interpretar la trompeta sino al tocar magistralmente el piano y los timbales.

Recomendado

Temas
Tunisia Blues 10.08
I Remember Clifford 6.55
Blues For Dizzy 15.00
Renes Tune 7.36
Nights In Tunisia 8.55

This DVD features Arturo's fiery playing with some band in UK. The synthesis of the ensemble is quite good but the lighting and the dresscode (owing to the fact the concert was recorded in 1992), was quite dodgy. Sound quality is good, being able to witness Arturo's skills from A to Z. Nevertheless, the entire runtime of the video is not too long though as the video only featured the performance bits of the concert, excluding the speeches and everything else. Overall, it's quite a good buy if you want to see Arturo burning it up on the trumpet, flugelhorn and piano.

I'm not going to talk about the music by Kaska on this disc, as I only bought it for the Williams pieces. But suffice to say, the Kaska is ok. But nothing special. JW's trumpet concerto is disappointing. Its basically the same old Williams brass stuff we've heard before. But being a huge fan of the composer, I do enjoy the piece. But its not even in the same league as his violin and cello concertos, or even his more lighthearted work "American Journey". "Essay for Strings" on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish entirely. Only 10 minutes long, but every minute is brilliant. I found it to be a profoundly moving piece, and just as amazing as his Elegy for Cello and his "Treesong" piece. Wonderful atmospheric music. Impossible to ignore. He again shows his unparralled talent for orchestration. This CD is worth buying just for those 10 minutes of brilliance. Williams truly is a master of music.

A great CD. A must for any fan of trumpet music. Neo-Romantic Kevin Kaska gives us some interesting new material to chew on. His compositions are very enjoyable. The Song cycle is beautiful, as is the harp concerto. The real meat of the CD though is the "John Williams." "Essay for Strings" and "Trumpet Concerto." One thing to remember when listening to William's concert works is that "You Are Not Listening To A Film Score!" Many listeners have expressed disregard for John William's more formal compositions because they are expecting to hear a film score. Remember those compositions are meant to accompany a film. Like his violin, cello, and bassoon works, these pieces reveal to us the more restrained side of the composer. They are romantic in form but not in harmony. This, however, does not take away from these works. Listen closely! To die-hard-Williams listener's ears, JW's style can be clearly deciphered. The same musical elements that are the backbone of all of Williams film scores are all there. In the frenzied runs of the trumpet concerto we CAN hear Star Wars, and other familiar musical messages from other compositions; we're just getting these musical elements from Williams HIMSELF and not through the medium of a Movie. I realize it's not for everybody, but I think Williams's fans should be able to appreciate and be thrilled by jewels, especially if they know what to expect and what to listen for.

One of Arturo's best albums in my opinion. If you love high note trumpet playing and appreciate Arturo's circus gymnastics, buy this album. The sound quality is excellent featuring Arturo nice and loud. Repertoire is diverse from Latin to Jazz to Bebop and funk... the album has it all. Listen to the intro to Georgia on my Mind, it will blow you away. Another trade mark of Arturo is his four octave lick jump... Great stuff Arturo. Dizzy would be proud of you. If you get a chance pick up the other Arturo Sandoval recordings on the Ronnie Scott Jazz Hour Label.

It must be remembered when approaching these recordings that we are not hearing the Ponselle of the Met singing her great roles, we are hearing the Ponselle of retirement, and a long retirement. She seems to have left her career right at its height, and for whatever reasons. She was not idle, but was active in the world of opera in other ways (including working with many now famous singers when they were students: Sherryl Milnes, Beverly Sills just to name two). She approached her music with the vibrancy of her time, which is often at odds with how we would sing such things today (the Mozart aria for Cherubino for example). However, even though we hear a voice that has now started to show wear, not from oversinging, but rather from not being used all that often and from age, we are not listening to someone who has "lost it all." Everything that made her great is still there for us to enjoy and wish we could experience. Her range is no longer seamless as it was during her active singing career (a thing she was noted for), but her legato is a wonder to behold, as it was during her most active singing years. It is no wonder that singing teacher tell students to listen to her recordings to learn what legato is all about (and as a result, Ponselle is one of the most immitated singers in history, but at no time has anyone ever captured her sound, her quality, her depth of tone, her ring, her anything; people may try to immitate the essence of her singing by copying what they hear -- even the great Maria Callas' interpretations in La Vesta sound like haunting echos of Ponselle -- but what was the depth of her interpretations or of her voice no one has ever come close to matching). Her chest notes are raw at times, but they do not ruin the music in any way. Her top notes (which always put terror into her heart, but for the life of me, after listening to all her recordings available, I cannot figure out why -- even after reading her story of why the High C in Aida scared her so much --- her high notes were extremely secure, even a high D flat in the trovatore arias, no strain is evident at any time, not ever!), well, her top notes are at time frayed and not centered as they were. Still, once again, that is not a bother. It is evident that at times she has to "work rather noticeably" to produce her top notes, but there again, we are not offended by what we hear.

What we do experience, and mostly because we have no arias from her great roles to listen to, is the Ponselle way with a song. She just seemed to embrace a song and make it her own. Her interpretation may be enjoyable to you, you may find other singers you like better, but her interpretation is NEVER common and without validity. Each piece is truly her own stamped completely with her emotional and vocal understanding of the text and the music.

That brings me to the diction part of the recording. Her RRRRRR (rolled R, or tongue trill by some) is very pronounced and now days may be seen as tasteless. However, it was the way things were sung then, and not just in Italian (even English actors rolled their R's beyond belief at that time). Personally, the well pronouced rolled R has never bothered me whatever, and in a way, I expect to hear it when singers are singing opera. It is so played down now days, one is sometimes completely unaware an R was even said. Ponselle's diction is incredible, and I don't just say that. Each and every word is completely understandable, even in English (which is crystle clear). It seems that was a common trait back in her day, for in many recordings of that time and earlier that I have the singers are exceptionally clear with their diction (even the Met manager, former singer, Edward Johnson is so clear while singing English -- a collection of Canadian songs -- one is stunned that the poor recordings quality didn't just eat up the words). Perhaps such singers as Renee Flemming and all the other greats of today should play some Ponselle recordings and learn what diction is all about.

These recordings, though made long after her retirement, are still a great testiment as to what she was like as a singer, for they give us all the greatness that was hers. It makes people like me, who were born after she retired (though quite a while before she died, as I remember her well on live from the met broadcasts on the radio Saturday afternoons) wish we could go back in time and hear some real singing.

In addition to the music, we have some interviews with Ruby Mercer, which are a real delight to listen to. No wonder people like Sills have nothing but great memories working with Ponselle. She is truly well grounded. She knows her contribution to the world of music for exactly what it is. There is no false modesty, nor is there any "high mindedness about self." We have a very down to earth person talking about things, even why she chose some of the music she did, in a very down to earth way.

I recommend the set to anyone who loves to hear great singing, even if it would have more appeal to collectors than average people. It is well recorded, and the sound is excellent. It is a treasure to have on any record shelf.

This recording is a must for anyone who loves to hear art songs sung incredibly. Aside from Rosa Ponselle's voice being arguably one of the most beatiful, distictive, incredible sounding voices (so big that it was troublesome to record), the fact that she is also one of the greatest vocal artists in the world is also evident. Although most of the songs were recoreded when her voice wasn't as capable of stunning high high C's (there wasn't any Aida aria's on this one), her musicality, ability to act with her voice, and her use of language is breath-taking. Especially nice, is her french, it's so clear and clean, yet doesn't sound constricted or bothersome. The best track is the second lower version of "When I have sung my Songs". It is truly phenomenal, and her singing of this piece is a true testament to what this woman was capable of. Also her "o del mio amato ben" some of the most dramatically genuine singing I 've heard. Buy this CD if you want to hear some real singing and one of the greatest voices of the 20th century.

Latin Jazz Christmas

this is by far the best compilation of latin jazz christmas I ever listen.
Ed Calle and Arturo are great together.

I love the punch and zesty of this music. Jazz will always be a heightened style of intrepretation of music so this one has emotion only associated with jazz. It is a great complilation!

I have 4 Holiday cd's and this addition is by far the best. Very well done in a Jazzy mode.

Muy caliente! Sizzle doesn't get spicier than this collection of Latin-infused versions of holiday favorites: "Silent Night" as a cha cha, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" as a mambo. Ho-ho-ho has never sounded more hot-hot-hot!

This CD absolutely smokes! A collection of incredibly, hot, innovative latin-jazz interpretations of holiday classics. This CD is not designed for quiet fireside contemplation. I played it last year while we trimmed the tree and the entire family ended up bopping around the family room. Truly a lot of fun!

PLEASE NOTE: This CD was put out a couple of years ago as "Playboy's Latin Jazz Christmas: A Not So Silent Night" but with a different cover. That's great because the original had a Playboy Bunny on the cover which may have discouraged some people from checking it out. That was a shame because it's an absolutely wonderful CD.

Arturo Sandoval is one of those few people who will be remembered in 100 years. The intensity of which he performs leaves little to be desired. His virtuosity of the trumpet is top notch, but guess what? He's progressed beyond that point in his career. He has been performing for a very long time and he simply does not always play fast and high anymore. As a musician, he has matured; there is more to his music than hard trumpet playing. Put it this way; I started listening to him because of his technique, but I stay for his musicianship. This CD/DVD set is a prime example. If you buy this for his trumpet playing alone, there is some but you will not get the full experience Sandoval is trying to portray. Every musician in the band is extremely talented and they work really well together. Bottom line, if you are not in a comatose state, you will enjoy this wonderful live recording.

Arturo Sandoval is one of the most gifted trumpet players of all time, and in my opinion, the best of today. I've seen him twice live, and this DVD/CD set helps his performance come to life for anyone who owns it.
He has a great sense of humor, and plays instruments including trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, jewish harp, and piano. He is a master at every instrument he touches, and the entire CD is a masterpiece.
Sandoval plays way high, way low, aggressive, suave... and all around sexy. The musicians he plays with are nothing short of the best. Every player owns the music they output.
One of my favorite CD's.

Having seen Arturo Sandoval this past summer in Newport and soon again
in the Boston area post-Thanksgiving, I was particularly pleased to have obtained this, what I believe is the only live recording by one of the finest and most exciting live jazz masters today. His astounding command of all things Afro-Cuban, funk, classical and just about any genre he wants to communicate will grace your ears and be a welcome addition to any collection.

As always from Arturo, great music. Exceptional sidemen, high energy. Disappointing video on the DVD, lack of clarity, and sufficient isolation on the musicians. Audio mix is occaisonally overwhelmed, lacks definition when the group cranks it up. All in all, a must have for fans of Sandoval, especially for the price.

I'm one of those guys who has chosen to be "willfully ignorant" on some things in an attempt to keep them "fun," at least to a certain degree - Jazz is one of those. So my review is not coming from a serous Arturo fan, but someone that simply wants to enjoy some music, or a show, or whatever.

I had no expectations at all when I popped the DVD into the player. As the program began I first noticed that the stage was pretty small, and that the camera position made the club look small as well. But this setup accomplishes something special; it brings us to the performance instead of bringing the performance to our living rooms (I wanted to leave the living room anyway J.And I may have actually sat in that very camera position from time to time in clubs.

I don't know how this performance rates to Arturo's other live performances, but I am a bigger fan after watching it, and have enjoyed my other Arturo CD's more as well.

I liked the performance; I had no idea how gifted Arturo actually is until watching this. One of the things I appreciate most about Arturo is his sensitivity to his audience; he keeps it moving, changes the pace, shares the spotlight, and keeps it fresh. He serves his audience as opposed to performers who expect the audience worship them.

Being from Buzzard's Breath, AZ, I know the chances of my getting to the Blue Note jazz club are twofold. Slim and none. That being said the DVD of Arturo and his stellar jazz group is a great visual and listening experience and it is as close to being there, in the club, as is possible with today's recording technology.

Arturo has passion for music. For ALL of the music. He has energy. Lots of energy. And before he is done blowing his last Double C you can't help but be infected with his musical message.

A true highlight for me was the maraca solo by Conga virtuoso Tomas Cruz accompianed by Arturo on the piano. I did not know the maracas could be played as a solo instrument, and I had no idea they could bring a crowd to it's feet. But they can, and he did! Tomas plays the congas, and sings and he is just incredible.

Everyone of the members of the group solos during the performance and the music is of the highest caliber. And, it is LIVE!

This is the standard level of musicianship found on this recording. Arturo brings all of the fantastic musicians together with his music, his energy and his passion and this is one of the best DVD musical experiences I have experienced.

I must first state that the music and musicianship is of a great quality - the final track really does it for me - my only complaint is that the camera work is poor - the filming is distant, so a lot of the live vibe is lost and we buy the dvd to catch th vibe - there are no close ups of the rest of the band plying their trade.
All said this is still a worthwhile disc to add to your collection - its not everyday that Arturo agrees to private shows!!!!!!

I have read a couple of reviews that indicated that this is not Arturo's greatest work, but this performance cannot be approached like his CD recordings.

I have been to two Arturo Sandoval concerts (William and Mary, Christopher Newport University), and they are an experience nothing like a CD (I would know, I have eight of them signed by the man himself). He loves to mix in his love for piano and percussion playing. He loves to feature his bandmates. He loves to sing. He loves to get the audience dancing and clapping. This shows in this DVD!

His hair color may have gone grey, but Arturo displays some of his classic trumpet expertise as well as his other truly amazing talents with the energy of a 29-year-old.

My only complaint is the less than stellar camera-work and lighting. It detracts from the experience a little, but not significantly.

As a side note, my wife and I were overjoyed to see that this is the same performance he did at Christopher Newport University because we so wanted a video of their performance of Surena!

Sandoval is a really wonderful trumpet player. If you have not seen the movie For Love or Country you should. A good jazz story and the music is really something.