Jane Bunnett: Alma De Santiago

JANE BUNNETT
Alma De Santiago

Connector/Blue Note

From the opening moments of the all-too brief, kinetic "Funky Mambo" you know that Jane Bunnett's latest CD, Alma De Staniago, is something special. Performing with the excellent Santiago Jazz Saxophone Quartet, Los Jubilados de Santiago de Cuba, and other musicians from Cuba, the Canadian-born soprano saxophonist and flautist is right at home.

Bunnett was once a happily working as a classical musician, having trained on piano, clarinet, and flute. But all that changed when she saw a performance by Charles Mingus and his band in 1975. Jane was intrigued by jazz music and began studying jazz, playing soprano sax and flute. Influenced by Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders initially, she soon fell under the sway of Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Thelonious Monk. Little wonder, then, that she should eventually find herself a student of master soprano saxophonist and Monk interpreter Steve Lacy. In 1987 Jane debuted with the acclaimed recording In Dew Time and went on to record two duet albums with Don Pullen. Jane was hailed as a major new jazz talent, but she hadn't yet found her true calling.

During a brutal Canadian winter Bunnett and her partner, trumpeter Larry Cramer, vacationed in Santiago de Cuba. There Bunnett found a deep affinity with the music of the island, and she and Cramer returned many times to record many of Cuba's most creative musicians. Many of these musicians have toured the U.S. and Canada with Bunnett, and her performances have raised money to help repair instruments in Santiago de Cuba's conservatories.

Getting back to Alma De Staniago, the party continues with "Son Santiaguero", a song in the son style performed by Bunnett with Los Jubiladoes de Santiago de Cuba. The music is smooth and full of deep flavors, the rhythm driving yet somehow seemingly effortless. Carlos Thomas provides trumpet counterpoint to the vocals, and Bunnett takes a typically hot flute solo. "Almendra", with its Afro-Carribbean rhythms, again gives Bunnett a chance to shine as the Santiago Jazz Saxophone Quartet provide perfect accompaniment. The quotation from "Salt Peanuts" near the end provides a humorous recognition that great music is truly universal.

"Jane Y Los Hoyos" is a raucous affair, full of street carnival atmosphere-you can almost smell cooking food and feel the heat. The 38-piece Conga de Los Hoyos creates the kind of festive atmosphere usually associated with New Orleans marching bands. Another standout track is the achingly beautiful "Lagrimas Negras (Black Tears)" a simply gorgeous soprano sax/piano duet featuring 16 year-old piano phenom David Virelles. Virelles could develop into one of music's brightest stars in the near future, so watch out. Hilario Duran's Supersax-inspired Latin arrangement of "Donna Lee", again featuring the Santiago Jazz Saxophone Quartet is a wonderful romp, with solid solos from Cramer, Bunnett, and Virelles. Next, the infectious "Mambo Shin Shin" utilizes wonderful Asian flavors. According to the liner notes "There were an estimated 100,000 Chinese on the island after World War I, although the thriving community dwindled to less than 2,000 after Fidel Castro came to power."

And that's what is so wonderful and encouraging about Alma De Santiago and Jane Bunnett. No matter whether your bag is jazz, Cuban music, whatever, you will still learn something from Bunnett's constant searching and combining of musical styles in ways that highlight the best elements of both without diminishing either in any way. This is one of the best CDs you're likely to hear in the next year or so. So what are you waiting for?