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 "LATIN RHYTHMS" CONCERT AT 92nd ST. Y RECEIVES RAVE REVIEW FROM NY TIMES! MAKING ROOM FOR SOME LATIN POLISH AND PROPULSION Jazz in July, the long-running concert series at the 92nd Street Y, concluded its current season on Thursday night in anomalous fashion. In a concert featuring the pianist Eddie Palmieri and the trumpeter Brian Lynch, the tradition-minded series made room for Latin jazz: the real thing, piquant and polished, with an urgent approach to propulsion. And this experiment in programming, if that’s what you want to call it, was an exuberant success. Along with Mr. Lynch and Mr. Palmieri — who recently shared credit for “Simpático” (Artist Share), which won a Grammy for best Latin jazz album — the evening’s cast included an incisive horn front line and an impeccable rhythm section, deployed in various combinations. From the bongo and cowbell specialist Little Johnny Rivero to the trombonist Conrad Herwig, every player had occasion to shine. Some, like the alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón and the drummer Dafnis Prieto, seemed to invigorate the ensemble with each fleeting improvisation. Mr. Lynch was the leader and the only person onstage from beginning to end. He has a knife-blade articulation on his horn and a tone that stops short of brassy; he sounded more like a Clifford Brown bebop inheritor than a salsa pyrotechnician. But his command of rhythm, sharpened by a long apprenticeship with Mr. Palmieri, lent impressive authority to his playing, especially in such a percussion-heavy setting. Twice Mr. Lynch pared down to a trumpet-and-piano format, creating the equivalent of a confessional aside on a busy convention floor. He performed his ballad “Que Sería La Vida” with Bill Charlap, the artistic director of Jazz in July; their rapport was willowy and beautifully restrained. He played “Iraida” with the song’s composer, Mr. Palmieri. Together they produced more of a cascading effect, and clearer undercurrents of pulse. For roughly half the night, Mr. Palmieri ceded his place at the piano to Mr. Charlap, which was fine. But it was when Mr. Palmieri was at the piano that things took off. He made his entrance on Mr. Lynch’s “Guajira Dubois” and quickly asserted his command with a deep, two-handed churn. On “Palmas,” his own tune, Mr. Palmieri exercised control not just over rhythm but also over intensity and volume: his greater instrument was the band. Mr. Charlap, who has now presided over three seasons at the Y, must have sensed that the concert would alter the usual composition of the audience. Without trying, he confirmed this in his capacity as host. When he introduced the Victor Young standard “My Foolish Heart,” there was a low murmur of gratified “ahhs.” When he announced “Palmas,” there were hoots and raucous cheers. The beauty of the evening was that each response made sense, neither to the exclusion of the other. Obviously there’s a place for serious Latin music on the Jazz in July calendar, especially when it comes in this accomplished a form. Perhaps there will be future demand for it among the supporters of the series. Mr. Charlap seems to think so, and at least where his programming is concerned, he has a way of being right. KUDOS FOR THE BRIAN LYNCH/EDDIE PALMIERI PROJECT - "SIMPÁTICO! The reviews for my Grammy Award winning CD project featuring the master, Eddie Palmieri all confirm the classic status of this recording.... Downbeat Dec. 2006 (4 ½ Stars) The good feelings jump off some recordings, and this one jumps for sure… trumpeter Brian Lynch has created an exceptional illustration of the verdant common ground between Afro-Caribbean music and bebop…On track after track, Lynch carves incisive lines in his mid and upper register, displaying impeccable time and tone. His surging playing over the vocal chorus of “Páginas De Mujer” shows how thoroughly he has assimilated the Latin vocabulary, while he flat out burns on the closing “Freehands” over driving percussion by Ameen, Giovanni Hidalgo and Pedro Martinez. What sets Simpático apart, though, is its combination of tremendous ensemble work and standout individual moments… Lynch has done a masterful job at focusing his 17 contributors to salute Palmieri. – James Hale The Hartford Courant - Nov 23, 2006 Trumpeter/composer Brian Lynch not only speaks fluently in the rich idioms of modern jazz and Latin music, but also thinks in and, more than likely, even dreams in the two rich musical languages. In this hip hybrid and happy homage to his longtime mentor and friend, the great Latin pianist/composer/bandleader Eddie Palmieri, Lynch displays his smart soloing skills and sharp Latin jazz writing chops while fielding an all-star lineup overflowing with a superabundance of talent… Lynch is outstanding whether blazing with his special guest, legendary alto saxophonist Phil Woods on "Jazz Impromptu," or when musing on the mellow finale, "Freehands." Palmieri—El Maestro—is a fascinating keyboard kingpin who, writer Ted Panken aptly notes, transforms the piano’s notes into "88 tuned drums." - Owen McNally All Music Guide – Nov. 2006 Get ready for the real deal, folks. Trumpeter Brian Lynch has moved up in the world, with the release of Simpatico by the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri project, and yes, they're billed in that order. The line up is stellar, with virtually every notable name in New York Latin Jazz included. Robby Ameen, Edsel Gomez, Donald Harrison, Conrad Herwig, Giovanni Hidalgo, Boris Koslov, Dafnis Prieto, and Yosvany Terry make for quite an ensemble. As could be expected, the arrangements are among the smartest and hippest around. Small wonder considering the bandleaders. Lynch and Palmieri are arguably each the most important latin jazz voices of their respective generations, thanks in no small part to their writing and arranging abilities. Recorded for the virtually unknown Artist Share label, the production is crisp and artful. Sonically, Simpatico is probably the finest work that Lynch has to his credit. The record sounds full and punchy, yet plenty warm and vibrant. There's a good deal of stylistic variety, which keeps the group out of the Latin jazz mambo-rut. The tunes breathe, and the exchanges between players are interesting, fresh and constant. Simpatico could easily be the most important record jazz Latino audiences experience this year. Evan C. Gutierrez All About Jazz - October 2006 Two decades of working as a highly accomplished trumpeter in Eddie Palmieri's Latin jazz band has culminated for Brian Lynch with this completely ravishing recording alongside his musical mentor… While the program of Simpatico is clearly Latin jazz and Palmieri's salsified McCoy Tynerisms are resplendently prominent throughout, there are lovely selections that wouldn't be expected on a Palmieri album. One example is the Lynch original “Jazz Impromptu,” which has a sound you'd expect from a hard-blowing Blue Note session from decades ago. The seventeen musicians (in addition to the superstar Palmieri) are all playing at the top of their game, bringing out an acute brilliance in Lynch's playing that I've never heard so thrillingly projected. But the biggest surprise among this crowd of talent is the Mexican-American diva Lila Downs.. Lynch may have revolutionized the already rising career of Downs by showcasing her in a context so far removed from her own recordings, which are deeply rooted in traditional Mexican song. There's a move afoot in the jazz world to expand the parameters of Latin jazz, with Hilary Noble, Rebecca Cline and Dafnis Prieto among the prime instigators. In his own sweet way, in spite of being less radical conceptually in breaking out of a traditional Latin jazz style than those three musicians, Lynch is triumphantly pushing Latin jazz boundaries. This is a magnificent recording, whatever label you pin on it… -Norman Weinstein Newsday, Sep. 10, 2006 The Brian Lynch/ Eddie Palmieri Project's new album, "Simpático" (ArtistShare), is one of the best Latin jazz albums of the year. Featuring a who's who of local giants (including Conrad Herwig, Mario Rivera, Pedro Martínez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Little Johnny Rivero and Edsel Gómez, and a guest appearance by Lila Downs on vocals), it's a beautifully arranged explosion of swing and technical precision. -Ed Morales These excerpts are just a few of the great reviews of “Simpático” – more are coming in all the time! You can view the complete review list for “Simpático” by clicking one of the links below: SIMPÁTICO REVIEWS PAGE "SIMPÁTICO" CD RELEASE PARTY GIG REVIEWED IN NEW YORK TIMES The CD release gig for "Simpático", held November 16th, 2006 at NYC's Iridium, received a nice review by Ben Ratliff in the New York Times. You can view it by clicking the link below: BRIAN LYNCH QUOTES "You can lose yourself in the pure energy of his playing, but at any moment you can switch your attention to the logic and craftsmanship of his music and find mutliple rewards. Lynch lionizes the men whose music shaped his own by suggesting their individual strengths, yet he avoids camouflaging his distinction: it's as if each of his predecessors were peeking out from behind his own playing. You won't find a better display of jazz trumpetry..." "Lynch demonstrates that a dedicated, knowledgeable jazzman can play a diversity of styles with telling authenticity, and make the renditions extremely appealing to both musician and neophyte...Lynch is simply first - rate." (4 1/2 stars) "When you're as dynamic and flexible a trumpeter as Lynch, everyone wants you" "A masterful soloist who came to prominence with the late Art Blakey...Lynch is even more in command today... offering peerless, flawless improvisations and collaborating empathetically...Lynch is also a gifted composer." "Ranks in the top ten of current trumpeters..." "...played passionate, brilliant solos, peppered with high notes, melodic leaps, harmonic twists, and unflinching structural cool in the face of complex chord assaults." "He pours out solo after solo in the mold of Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw, structuring his clean lined solos to generate emotional as well as intellectual excitement. If Lynch is performing in the one horn with rhythm section setting of his strong new album, Keep Your Circle Small, I would heartily recommend your attendance."
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