Drummer Robby Ameen Breaks Beyond Preconceived
Genres on Latest Release Days in the Night
Available November 27 on Two and Four Records
Cutting Edge Mixture of High-Energy Afro-
Post-Bop Jazz Elevates Reinvents Traditions
Grammy® Award-winning drummer Robby Ameen's latest release, Days in the Night features his all-star working band, tenor saxophonists Troy Roberts and Bob Franceschini, trombonist Conrad Herwig, pianist Manuel Valera and bassists Lincoln Goines and Yunior Terry. On
Days in the Night the
band lays down a mixture of high-energy, cutting-edge Afro-Cuban, funk
and post-bop jazz that smoothly blends together to create a unique and
eclectic sound. Even with these varying genres wrapped into one, the
band never looses its roots in preserving the tradition of Afro-Cuban
and Latin music - consistently paying homage to the rhythms that have
shaped its history.
Also participating as an invited guest is Ameen's longtime employer, Ruben Blades,
taking us on a journey of guaguanco, salsa and timba jazz. The band's
lengthy and wide history of playing together allows them to move and
react through a variety of genres while still retaining the focus and
understanding of a group sound. The cohesiveness of the band is one to
marvel considering the polyrhythmic tendencies of each player with every
musician contributing brilliantly to the overall tight sound. Most of
the repertoire consists of Ameen's original compositions and
arrangements, incorporating the many styles and influences he has
absorbed as a sideman for such diverse artists as Ruben Blades, Jack
Bruce, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Valentin, Paul Simon and Eddie Palmieri.
Meanwhile he has grown as a composer and arranger through the experience
of leading his own bands over the last fifteen years.
The
album also includes several duets between Robby and Troy Roberts
exploring the freedom in the pairing of sax and drums while playing over
interesting form-based arrangements. Days in the Night is
a record that lives up to the realization that progressive jazz can go
into so many different directions as long as the integrity of its roots
are still respected, that categories are less relevant than ever before,
and that one can be free to use all of one's listening and playing
experiences to go beyond preconceived labels.
Ameen will be performing music from Days in the Night at Club Bonafide on Saturday, December 12. Ameen will be joined by the same band that appears on the album for two sets at 8:00 and 10:30pm.
About Robby Ameen
Robby Ameen has
lived in New York City since the early '80s and has established a
recording career stretching from Dizzy Gillespie to Paul Simon, while
maintaining a more than 20-year relationship with Latin icon Ruben
Blades as a member of Seis del Solar. Although he is of Lebanese origin,
Ameen is best known for the unique and powerful Afro-Cuban jazz style
he has developed. Growing up in New Haven, Connecticut, Ameen was able
to take advantage of his proximity to New York City by going to clubs
and hearing many of the great jazz masters at a very young age. At the
same time, he was involved in the local jazz and Latin scene, as well as
later attending Yale University, where he received a Bachelor's degree
in literature. His jazz roots were strongly influenced by his studies
with the great Ed Blackwell in high school, while in college he studied
classical percussion with the renowned Fred Hinger. As a leader, Ameen
wrote, arranged, and produced the album Days in the Life,
and as a co-leader has recorded three records with the "El Negro and
Robby Band" alongside drummer Horacio "el Negro" Hernandez. He helped
found the Latin-jazz power trio "Overproof," and also made two
latin-jazz records with Seis del Solar.
Robby Ameen · Days in the Night
Two and Four Records · Release Date: November 27, 2015
For more information on Robby Ameen, please visit: RobbyAmeen.com
For media information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Greg Angiolillo · greg@
Maureen McFadden · maureen@
Serving the Finest in Jazz Since 1988
