The Magician

by Sammy Figueroa

Overview

Percussionist Sammy Figueroa's second CD as a leader for Savant is a dynamic session, with a rotating cast of players in a sextet that often sounds like a much larger band. Drawing from both hard bop repertoire and originals contributed by his musicians, the leader's driving percussion powers the ensembles with a fire reminiscent of Mongo Santamaria, while he is also a fine conga soloist, especially in bassist Gabriel Vivas' explosive cooker "The Three Marias." Pianist Silvano Monasteiros contributed the elegant cha-cha "The Magician," which showcases trumpeter John Norris and the composer. Figueroa's scoring of the well-known Miles Davis/Victor Feldman piece "Seven Steps to Heaven" is full of spice in a blazing uptempo setting. Likewise, the arrangements of works by Cedar Walton and Horace Silver work equally well in this enjoyable Afro-Cuban recording. This CD was nominated in 2007 for a Grammy award as Best Latin Jazz Album. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	03/13/2007
Label:	Savant Records (Jazz) / Savant
UPC:	0633842207926
Rank:	250131

Tracks

1. Together
2. The Three Marias
3. The Magician
4. Firm Roots
5. Crossroads
6. Seven Steps to Heaven
7. Fiestas do Norte
8. Healing Man
9. Gregory Is Here

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sammy Figueroa   Primary Artist,Percussion
Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion   Primary Artist
Gotz Kujack   Guitar (Bass)
Nicky Orta   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Nomar Negroni   Guitar (Bass),Drums
Gabriel Vivas   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Troy Roberts   Saxophone
Ralph Irizarry   Guest Artist
Ronnie Cuber   Guest Artist
John Michalak   Saxophone
Michael Orta   Piano
Alex Norris   Trumpet
John Lovell   Trumpet
Silvano Monasterios   Piano
Ludwig Afonso   Drums

Technical Credits

Sammy Figueroa   Audio Production,Producer
Hal Batt   Audio Production,Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Gaby Vivas   Audio Production
Rachel Faro   Audio Production
Silvano Monasterios   Audio Production,Producer
Carlos Alvarez   Engineer
Gabriel Vivas   Composer
Jason Slomack   Graphic Design