Innovative Latin Jazz Guitarist and Composer
ROLAND HUNTER releases debut CD
TORONTEROS
Featuring Roland Hunter on guitar, Ali Berkok on piano, Paco Luviano on bass, Mario Allende on drums and Jalidan Ruiz on congas and celebrates his new release with a special CD Launch Event at Toronto's Latin and World Music Headquarters
The LULA LOUNGE
1585 Dundas West
Toronto
Friday, April 13th at 8:00 PM to 9:15 PM; One set only!!
Innovative, thrilling and creative guitarist and composer, Roland Hunter is releasing his first independent recording, Toronteros, on Friday, April 13th at Toronto's foremost Latin and World Music venue, “The Lula Lounge." Roland and his ensemble will be performing one set from 8:00 to 9:15 PM. Joining guitarist and composer Roland Hunter onstage will be Ali Berkok on piano, Roberto Riveron on bass, Mario Allende on drums, Jalidan Ruiz on Congas and Reimundo Sosa on percussion (Riveron will be filling in for bassist Paco Luviano, who appears on the recording). The LULA LOUNGE is located at 1585 Dundas St. West (West of Dufferin). There will be a $15.00 Music Charge. For Reservations (highly recommended) please phone 416-588-0307.
About TORONTEROS
In speaking about his new project, Roland has said, “The inspiration for my new CD, Toronteros came from listening to recordings of seminal Latin-influenced musicians, including the late Cal Tjader, and Cuban bassist Cachao, and also the Gonzalez brothers; Jerry and Andy. A common thread that runs through all of these magnificent artists is a deft combination of Latin music combined with a deep jazz sensibility." All of the compositions on the recording are composed and arranged by Roland Hunter, with the exception of Thelonious Monk's “Hackensack" and Wayne Shorter's “Infant Eyes"—which have been presented in a highly original format, consistent with the thematic elements of the CD.
Roland Hunter is honoured to have collaborated with such skilled and inspiring musicians, including Mario Allende: “A versatile drummer/percussionist who is knowledgeable about several Latin-American folkloric music traditions (and he swings!)"; pianist Ali Berkok: “A friend for many years. He combines his individual piano style with a thorough grounding in the jazz piano tradition"; bassist Paco Luviano: “His acoustic bass provides phenomenal rhythmic support for the entire CD"; and Jalidan Ruiz: “A First-Call call Cuban-Canadian percussionist, based in Toronto. Jalidan plays a show-stopper of a conga solo on “El Cazador."'
Highlights of Toronteros include the aforementioned relentlessly percussive “El Cazador"(which translates as “The Hunter"); a unique Latin-tinged take on Monk's “Hackensack"; the stirring, rhythmically complex title track; Wayne Shorter's gorgeous “Infant Eyes"—rendered here with sensitivity and lush guitar work from Roland; the evocative and swinging “Clayoquot Sound" (a breathtaking old-growth forest on Vancouver Island) replete with a harmonically sophisticated piano solo from Ali Berkok and the funky-cool “Baba's Boogaloo," which features a lithe and rhythmic bass solo from Paco Luviano. ABOUT ROLAND HUNTER....Originally from Vancouver Island, Roland Hunter moved to Toronto in the early 90's in order to immerse myself in the eastern Canadian jazz scene, which at the time wascomprised of guitar greats such as the legendary Toronto-based Ed Bickert and Montreal's iconic Sonny Greenwich. Roland is thrilled to be releasing his first recording, Toronteros, which is best described as a mixture of acoustic jazz and Latin-inspired compositions performed by an A-list cast of first call musicians. He has performed with many of Canada's leading jazz musicians including: Terry Clarke, Shelly Berger, Pat Collins and Richard Whiteman. A graduate of the York University Jazz Program in 1995, career highlights include meeting and studying with one of his guitar idols, Jim Hall, at the Banff Summer Jazz workshop in 1994 and his ongoing musical association with prominent jazz drummer Bob MacClaren. Roland has also been involved in Indo-Jazz fusion projects (the band Aparna) and collaborations with Latin-jazz players both on musical pilgrimages to Cuba and in Toronto. Roland is a dedicated and active music educator and guitar teacher, and continues to coach many student ensembles out of his music studio in Toronto.
SOURCE: LMC MEDIA/allaboutjazz.com
http://rolandhunter.com
