Expanding on the Tito Puente tradition
The music of Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band
The Other Side - El Otro Lado

According to Chris Washburne whose raw sound on the trombone brings back memories of the late great Barry Rogers back from the early recordings from Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta, this session had extra meaning as it is a tribute to the King of Latin music, Tito Puente. Chris had originally planned to feature Tito on this his second recording for Jazz Heads records label. Unfortunately, as the band entered the studio to begin recording, El Gran Maestro passed on. This inspired Chris to change directions and make this recording a personal tribute featuring Tito Puente.

An accomplished musician both as a straight ahead jazzman and the Latin side, Chris Washburne has worked with some top names like Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill, Tito Nieves, Marc Anthony, La India, Oscar D'Leon, Celia Cruz and Jaki Byard and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Just as the music of Tito Puente was exciting and experimental at times so is the music of Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band. "Titorama" is an original tune penned by Chris and that attempts to capture Puente's legacy with some zesty horn phrases featuring a duel between trumpeters Ray Vega and John Walsh. The percussion section explodes with high energy highlighted by a very TP style timbale solo from Bobby Sanabria. "Mamborama" is a Puente original that features Chris with his trombone and grooving bass solo from Harvie Swartz.

A tune that was originally recorded by Billie Holiday, "Deep Song" is arranged with an interesting mix of the Elegua rhythm, haunting ballad and kicks into gear as a tasty Guarija..que Sabroso! Written by John Walsh "Methane Mambo", features a percussive piano solo from Barry Olsen and a crisp and cool bongo solo from Renato Thoms. The adventurous "The Other Side" explores the progressive side of Jazz Latino. A flavored laid-back cha cha/mambo out, "New Beginning" is an original tune from bassist Harvie Swartz with Ray Vega adding some nice touches on Flugelhorn complimented by some vamping piano groove. "Now what?" was written by Chris as a question to Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani adding a tap-dance solo from Max Pollak.

"Caonao" is from the TP book and allows the band a chance to get into some free form style riffs. One of Tito Puente's classics "Hong Kong Mambo" from the 1960's is redone complete with Korean Gong work produce by Maiken Derno with a spirited Marimba solo by Barry Olsen. Overall, a commendable job by Chris the SYOTOS Band. This recording is full of emotion and is a joyful celebration of the Tito Puente musical legacy.

For more information on Chris Washburne visit www.jazzcorner.com/washburne or www.jazzheads.com

By Erik "Chico" Manqueros
Contributing writer LatinJazzClub.com Magazine
Email: EManqueros@LatinJazzClub.com
Host & Producer of The Latin Style of Jazz

Courtesy of LatinJazzClub™