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| "Momentos Cubanos" by Luis Mario Ochoa On Momentos Cubanos - Luis Mario Ochoa's 4th album and first with his new quintet- the Havana-born,Toronto- based guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger,bandleader and producer showcases his virtuosity and versatility with authority. A nominee in 2007 for Canadian Latin Jazz Artist of the Year,Ochoa is joined on the recording by acclaimed Cuban pianist Hilario Durnand adynamic rhythm section of bass, drums and percussion.The program of four originals and five classic Latin American songs ranges from rumbato samba, bolero to waltz, son to cha and one is unlikely to find a more impassioned vocal interpretation of Ernesto Lecuona's timeless ballad “Siboney" than the one here. Momentos Cubanos clearly demonstrates why Ochoa has been hailed for his “...fire, finesse and authenticity" (JazzTimes) and for creating “...high caliber Latin jazz [that] cooks" (Descarga). Luis Mario Ochoa was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1963. His first musical influence was his father, Luis Mario Ochoa Sr.,who is also a guitarist and vocalist and who started his son out on the guitar at the age of 8. The younger Ochoa enrolled in a Havana conservatory to study music full time and in 1987 graduated with a BA in classical guitar from ISA, the University of Havana's Instituto Superior of Arts. In 1990 he moved to Toronto, embracing Canada as his new home. There Ochoa founded his 9-piece band Cimarrn,(see-mah- rron), Spanish for “free spirit". The band has recorded the critically acclaimed CDs A La Cubana (1995), La Fiesta (2000) and Cimarrn - Luis Mario Ochoa & Friends (2006). Formed in 2007, the Luis Mario Ochoa Quintet is an acoustic ensemble that enables more intimate communication with an audience. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |