On Afropean Affair , pianist/composer Óscar Pérez treads an appealing line between Afro-Latin jazz and modern jazz reminiscent of the Cuban band Irakere—or, perhaps, the first couple of Chick Corea Return to Forever discs, with saxophonist/flautist Joe Farrell and drummer Airto).
A native of New York City, Pérez's early immersion in both Afro-Cuban and European classical music came courtesy of his parents, who hail from Cuba and Colombia. After studying violin, piano, and guitar as a youth, Pérez dedicated himself to the piano when he arrived at the University of North Florida in the early 1990s. After completing his undergraduate studies, Pérez studied at the New England Conservatory with Danilo Pérez, but eventually returned to New York to complete his studies under Sir Roland Hanna and Phillip Michael Mossman at Queens College. Pérez's subsequent gigs and engagements include tours and recordings with saxophonist Virginia Mayhew, trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Steve Turré, and a three-year stint with vocalist Phoebe Snow. By DAVE WAYNE
Track Listing: The Illusive Number; Canaria; As Brothers Would; Paths and Streams; The Afropean Suite (Cosas Lindas Que Viven Ahora; Last Season's Sorrow; A New Day Emerging).
Personnel: Óscar Pérez: piano, Fender Rhodes; Greg Glassman: trumpet, flugelhorn, Stacy Dillard: tenor and soprano saxophones; Anthony Perez: bass; Jerome Jennings: drums; Emiliano Valerio: percussion; Charenee Wade