If you missed this, at the Zinc Bar, here is a snippet of what happened! Let jumpstart this movement the right way. Come down to the Zinc Bar, bring your friends for a serious experience with some of the best Jazz in the city! – Click on the photo….

This CD was recorded 2000 in NYC and engineered by Jon Fausty

Featuring…

Luques Curtis – Bass

Zaccai Curtis – Piano

Richie Barshay – Drums

Zach Lucas - Alto Sax, Flute

Erica VonKleist – Alto Sax, Flute

Camilo Molina – Percussion

Gustavo Beaujardin – Congas

Ray McMorrin – Tenor Sax

Joel Gonzalez – Trumpet

 


Each month, KUVO Music Director Arturo Gómez selects an outstanding new release for the CD of the Month and sends it to every Club member.

Curtis Brothers “Completion of Proof” Curtis Brothers Music

One of the most daunting tasks of modern jazz musicians is to continue the traditions established by the jazz masters of the past, yet add originality and creativity to an almost perfect art form so as not to sound merely as copycats or becoming just another cover band. With their third release as leaders, the Curtis Brothers not only have met the challenge, they have raised the bar for other groups to follow. Completion of Proof is an aptly titled album on their own Curtis Brothers Music label in conjunction with Truth Revolution Records. Pianist Zaccai and bassist Luques have earned a well deserved reputation-individually and collectively-as 2 of the most talented young players in jazz since emerging on the scene about 6 years ago. For their newest album, the brothers Curtis decided to follow the movement of the 1960s, combining hard bop music with themes of social awareness ala their influences, Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. Interestingly, two of the prominent sidemen of this project, trumpeter Brian Lynch and alto saxist Donald Harrison Jr are former Jazz Messengers. All eight of the songs on “Completion” are originals by Zaccai who also arranged the selections; he was inspired by courageous persons and historic events, proof that knowledge and artistic talent blend magnificently.

The Curtis Brothers are natives of Hartford, CT, a fertile area for emerging jazz musicians. Zaccai and Luques have been playing since they were adolescents, Zack is a graduate of the New England Conservatory while Luke is an alumnus of the Berklee School of Music, both have been in New York City since about 2005. The siblings’ ethnicity includes Puerto Rican heritage and they’ve always had an affinity for Latin jazz and dance music, elements of which appear on this new release. Reinaldo de Jesús plays the Puerto Rican barriles (barrel drums) on “Sol Within”, moreover, on “The Wrath” and “Manifest Destiny”, guest Pedro Martínez is heard on the Cuban batá drums. “Mass Manipulations” features Brazilian percussion provided by invitee Rogerio Boccato. Ralph Peterson is the drummer for the entire session that showcases Ft. Apache founding member, Joe Ford on Alto sax on 3 tunes. Finally, fellow Hartford native son, tenor sax Jimmy Greene appears on 3 selections as well. What a formidable line up performing innovative and provocative music at the highest level of artistry! Completion of Proof proves that the Curtis Brothers will be a force to be reckoned with for decades to come and that their growth as imaginative jazz musicians is far from complete.