Latin Jazz, The Frank Cano Way

Frank Cano Latin Jazz Band
Steamers Jazz Club and Cafe
July 23

Editors Note: Los Angeles Trumpeter Frank Cano and his Latin Jazz Band played July 23 at Steamers Cafe in Fullerton. In 2007, Mr. Cano released a wonderful jazz album which we review here.

Frank Cano
A Beautiful Day / Un Lindo Dia
Independent
Five Scoops of Bosco

Frank Cano is a LA based trumpeter, a good composer as well as a decent arranger. He showcases these talents to fine effect on his debut recording "A Beautiful Day, Un Lindo Dia". As the leader on this outing he also proves that he can put together a great Latin Jazz band.

The talented master percussionist and conguero Francisco Aguabella adds immensely to the Latin Cubop theme on two of the tracks, while conguero Joey De Leon, master bongosero, Jose ‘Papo’ Rodriguez and timbalist Ramon Banda add the salsa touch with heavy clave rhythms.

This all star cast of percussionists create spontaneous movement in the listening experience. Joined by a host of talented LA studio musicians who team up to create an exciting and varied salsa heavy band that sounds festively alluring.

Frank Cano, Mexican born and Californian raised, has performed for three years with legendary conguero Francisco Aguabella, a fine training ground for catching a groove and polishing it to a finely honed edge as seems to be the case here. The songs that are featured are primarily Cano compositions. Six of the eight compositions on the CD are by Cano. He is joined by Robert Chasco, Bruce Goss and Jimmy Quiroz as contributing composers on certain track selections. The song “Encanto” is composed by Francisco Torres, the trombonist and co-producer along with Cano on this album.

A Frank Cano original kick starts the album. “Validacion” certainly validates the music as authentic, inspiring and moving in the right direction. The percussionist ensemble is allowed to run free - opening the door for the soloists who come on strong right out of the gate. A strong tenor saxophone solo by Javier Vergara leads and finds Frank Cano responding with an equally as impressive trumpet solo. The trumpet solo leads to a drum battle of intensity, all members of the percussion section are interacting with typical Latin fire and passion. A return to the opening melody all too soon, some five minutes later, and a gentle fade out.

The title track “A Beautiful Day/ Un Lindo Dia” is another original by Frank Cano. The song features the flautist Danilo Lozano and vocalist Melanie Jackson, a moderate tempo in a cha-cha style rhythm with a smooth Latin jazz groove. Lozano’s flute playing flows, flutters and flashes brilliance, conguero Francisco Aguabella who is also featured on this track plays as passionately as ever.

Many of the songs are straight ahead salsa tunes that make you want to get up and dance, “Sesionar” written by Cano, Chasco, and Goss is one such tune, while “Baila Mi Negra” by Cano and Chasco is another, featuring some inspired flute playing by Lozano. The song also has a nice piano interlude by Chris Barron and a trombone solo by Francisco Torres that swings and cooks up a storm.

The final song of the album “A Beautiful Day/ Un Lindo Dia”, entitled “Human Nature” by Cano, Chasco, and Goss, is a fitting closer, featuring fiery playing by Vergara on tenor sax and some inspired conga, bongo and timbale playing by the percussionistas - the song revs up the pulse of the listener to the near breaking point. Pianist Chris Barron lets loose with some inspired playing on this track as well, he sets the pace, lays down the melody and set the tone for the horns. The horn arrangements really stand out on this number, this is perhaps the most exciting song and pushes the listener to start all over again.

Review by Paul J. Youngman
Mr. Youngman is a Jazz reviewer for Vinlemania.net