Like a nimble jet aircraft, Miguel Zenón's Esta Plena leaps into flight from its very first notes.

David Adler, All About Jazz

Like a nimble jet aircraft, Miguel Zenón’s Esta Plena leaps into flight from its very first notes. The album arrives not long after Awake (Marsalis Music, 2008), Zenón’s jazz quartet/string quartet outing of 2008, but it follows more logically on the heels of 2005’s Jíbaro (Marsalis Music), a jazz meditation on the rural music of Zenón’s native Puerto Rico. Esta Plena, different but related, finds the alto saxophonist melding authentic plena music with the forward-thinking jazz aesthetic he’s developed as a New Yorker. Read more »

Submitted by admin on December 12th, 2009 — 01:00am

Saxophonist Miguel Zenón scores first nominations for Grammys.

Maite Junco, New York Daily News

You have to search deep in the 109 categories of the Grammy Awards nominees list to find a Latino artist, but almost halfway through it, you score.

Miguel Zenón, 32, a Puerto Rican saxophonist prodigy, received his first two nominations last Wednesday for his fifth CD, “Esta Plena,” a captivating jazz tribute to plena, an African derived rhythm from the Caribbean island.

“It’s an honor being nominated, and I’m sure it will help us spread our music in many ways,” said Zenón, who lives in Washington Heights. “It always feel good when people appreciate what you do.” Read more »

Submitted by admin on December 9th, 2009 — 01:00am

Miguel Zenón Receives TWO Grammy Nominations!!

Marsalis Music’s Miguel Zenón has received two Grammy nominations!! One for For Best Improvised Jazz Solo on ‘Villa Palmeras’ from his album ‘Esta Plena’ and the other for Best Latin Jazz Album. The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Jan. 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. We hope you’ll be watching!! Congratulations, Miguel!! 

Submitted by admin on December 3rd, 2009 — 01:00am

Branford Marsalis Quartet At The Queen Elizabeth Hall

Date: 11.15.2009
Publication: Sebastian Scotney’s Telegraph Blog
Author: Sebastian Scotney

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Submitted by Ben on November 15th, 2009 — 01:00am

New York Times Recommends Claudia's Upcoming Performances

Nate Chinen, New York Times

Claudia Acuña (Friday through Sunday)
“En Este Momento” (Marsalis Music) is the most rewarding album by this Chilean jazz singer in some time. Offering original material and songs by the Chilean singer-songwriter Victor Jara (among others), Ms. Acuña radiates ardor and acuity, connecting easily with a band that includes the guitarist Juancho Herrera, who reappears here. At 7:30 and 9:30p.m., with an 11:30 set on Friday and Saturday, Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street, Manhattan.

Submitted by admin on November 13th, 2009 — 01:00am