In a Latin Bag
1. Ben Hur (Love Theme)
2. Davito
3. Green Dolphin Street
4. Pauneto’s Point
5. Speak Low
6. Triste
7. Misty
8. Mambo in Miami
9. Ecstasy
10. Half and Half
Cal Tjader – Vibes
Paul Horn – Flute, alto sax
Al McKibbon – Bass
Wilfredo Vicente – Conga
Johnny Rae – Timbales
Lonnie Hewitt – Piano
Saturday Night, Sunday Night at the Blackhawk, San Francisco
11. Summertime
12. 222 Time
13. Noonie’s Groove
14. This Can’t Be Love
15. Stablemates
16. Weep
17. Fred’s Ahead
18. Stompin’ at the Savoy
Cal Tjader – Vibes
Johnny Rae – Drums
Lonnie Hewitt – Piano
Freddy Schreiber - Bass
Although this CD is called In a Latin Bag, it actually contains
two LPs – one of which has nothing Latin about it. Cal Tjader became
interested in Latin-American music when he was playing for Dave Brubeck,
and he continued the connection with George Shearing. But he started
as a jazzman and his music is always jazzy as well as often Latin.
In a Latin Bag
was recorded in 1961 by a sextet including reedman Paul Horn. The mix of Latin with jazz is clear in a track like Green Dolphin Street, a
favourite tune for jazz improvisers but here given a Latin rhythm and the characteristic sound of the flute. Paul Horn, Cal Tjader and Lonnie Hewitt supply
solos which mingle jazz with Latin-American influences.
Added on to make a generous 76 minutes of music, the CD contains a 1962 LP recorded at the Blackhawk in San Francisco. Like the other LP, it is a mixture
of jazz standards with a few originals by members of the quartet. The Latin influence is absent and this is a purely jazz recording. It displays in
particular the fluent, inventive vibes playing of Cal Tjader. He even makes the hackneyed Summertime sound fresh, and he tackles new pieces like
Gary McFarland’s poignant Weep. It’s all easy to listen to but it’s a cut above the average easy-listening disc, thanks to the skill of the
musicians.
Tony Augarde
www.augardebooks.co.uk
CD Reviews
El Records by Cherry Red 
