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- William Cepeda -
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- Latin Jazz from Puerto Rico
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- On
the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico,
- the name Cepeda is all but synonymous
- with that land's rich tradition of African
- derived music and dance. For
decades,
- members of La Familia Cepeda have been
- unswerving in their
dedication to a universe
- of rhythms that, until recently, have not been
widely heard or appreciated beyond the Afro-Rican enclave of Loiza or the
birthplace of the Plena, Ponce. The legendary Cepedas have produced many
of Puerto Rico's most respected Afro-Rican percussionists, singers,
dancers, composers and instrumentalists. Now, in William Cepeda, the young
multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger who was nurtured by the twin
spirits of bomba and bebop, Puerto Rico's potent rhythms and entrancing
melodies radiate out to enthrall an international audience hungry for new
Latin sounds.
Born in Loiza, a small coastal town in Puerto Rico renowned for its
adherence to West African-derived customs and culture, Cepeda grew up
immersed in the dynamic traditions of bomba and plena, the island's two
most distinctive folkloric styles. In his evolution as a musician, Cepeda
has thoroughly explored both contemporary Latin and jazz styles, working
with and gaining the respect of such famed leaders as Tito Puente, Eddie
Palmieri, Paquito D'Rivera, David Murray, Donald Byrd, Slide Hampton and
Lester and Joseph Bowie. His work in recent years with the D'Rivera-led
United Nation Orchestra has further exposed jazz fans around the world to
a brawny, technically brilliant trombone style that places him in the
vanguard of contemporary stylists on this most demanding of instruments.
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Trombonist
/composer /arranger William Cepeda is part of a new generation of
musicians who have not only mastered the skills a jazz artist requires,
but combine them with the traditional music of their homeland, creating a
new and challenging repertoire. Cepeda calls his own variation on this
theme "Afrorican Jazz."
"This is my contribution to Puerto Rican music...Nothing like this has
been done before, because while there are plenty of great jazz albums
inspired by Cuban rhythms and music, Cuban-jazz fusions and such, there's
nothing quite of the same calibre out there for Puerto Rican music and
jazz. And there should be. It's time. You know, don Rafael Cepeda said
that when the Puerto Rican people understand the value of their music and
folklore, they will fight with great force to defend their honor. This
music is about my people and for my people."
"Traditional Puerto Rican music isn't heard that much outside of the
island and it's a shame. We have a very strong music. By using a variety
of instruments and the wealth of jazz resources, I have brought this rich
tradition to another level, to a wider audience but also to a new level of
feeling, more in line with the experience of today. I'm putting a little
fire into it, with the result, I hope, of offering a dynamic and beautiful
music for many, many people to enjoy."
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- Courtesy of:
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