Cuban born Master Drummer JIMMY BRANLY Releases "THE MEETING"

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Cuban born Master Drummer JIMMY BRANLY Releases "THE MEETING"

Drummer JIMMY BRANLY has been so busy touring with and playing on albums for other A-list jazz artists that he has put his own career as a leader on the back burner. Branly has now recorded as well as engineered THE MEETING, an auspicious trio date that showcases not only Branly’s adventurous and sensitive playing, but his predilection for melding World music and jazz. The performances on the album are rhythmically and harmonically sophisticated, and the music is thoroughly engaging. Branly, who hails from Cuba, has been living in Los Angeles since 1998. He had been performing with Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s group for several years when he got a chance to tour North America with a band made up of American and Cuban musicians. Once he was here, he decided not to return home. The list of artists he has performed with is extensive. It includes Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chucho Valdez, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Michael Nesmith, Strunz and Farah, Celia Cruz, Sheila E, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, , Bob Sheppard, Celia Cruz, Luis Conte, Ronnie Foster, Justo Almario, Otmaro Ruiz, Oscar Hernandez, Brandon Fields, Alex Acuña, Bob James, David Garfield, Carol Welsman, Doc Severinsen, Don Grusin, Tom Scott, Keiko Matsui, Colin Hay and Lyle Mays, among many others. Although Branly is an expert in Cuban rhythms, he cites the spaciousness and the influence of World music from ECM -Jazz as a major influence. Indeed, the music on THE MEETING is influenced by World music, particularly Cuban styles, but performed with a straight-ahead jazz feel and sound. It is mostly played in either 4/4 or 6/8 with the melody determining where the accents fall, creating the illusion of unusual rhythms. The album features original music by all three band members as well as some of Branly’s favorite jazz standards. Jimmy Branly’s music comes from the heart. He has to feel the essence of a tune to know how to approach it. He uses subtle dynamics to generate energy rather than playing loud and fast and showing off his considerable chops. He wants the audience to be able to tap their feet and enjoy the melody. THE MEETING is an eminently satisfying entree into Branly’s personal aesthetic.

Personnel

Jimmy Branly drums

Will Brahm guitar

Ahmet Türkmenoglu bass

Tracks

1. BIS BIS 6:35

2. IF I SHOULD LOSE YOU 5:45

3. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES 5:37

4. PRESUME 5:39

5. INFANT EYES 5:23

6. THE MEETING 6:20

7. ONE DAY 7:17

8. BLUES 14 4:48

9. GAZELLE 6:08

10. CHEROKEE 5:43

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