LJC Community Conversations are designed to explore major ideas in the Latin Jazz world together as a community and inspire conversation through comments. My main motivator here is my belief that LJC readers hold a great deal of knowledge and passion around Latin Jazz, and I think that we can learn something from everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned Latin Jazz performer or a newcomer to the music, leave a comment and let your voice be heard!

This week’s conversation aims at finding the most important Latin Jazz recordings . . .

Sometimes the most simplistic questions require the most thought to answer completely. Ask me about a deep theoretical issue - I’ll ponder the options and give you my most thought provoking response. Throw a conversation about politics and the state of the world at me and I’ll present my beliefs strongly. Talk to me about the meaning of life and I’ll engage you in a conversation regardless of the results. These topics all apply to the world’s people, not me in particular; so, they make easy conversation pieces. Strike at the heart of my own personal life though and I freeze.

People constantly ask me what Latin Jazz albums they should buy. I generally jump to recent albums first; the recordings that are currently inspiring me stay in the front of my mind. I think that sharing our excitement about any music conveys our passion, but I’ll always pause to reconsider history. Regardless of the quality of recent albums, Latin Jazz history has been recorded and many examples exist of albums that shaped that history. Several historically important albums jump to mind, and I always recommend them. Yet I still think of 10 more important albums after the fact. I walk away feeling like I’ve cheated someone out of hearing some incredible music that would drive them into a Latin Jazz addiction. Even worse, I wonder if I’ve done an injustice to Latin Jazz, driving another potential fan away.

I also struggle with this question as an educator; what recordings should I introduce to my students? I attempt to play recordings for my Latin Jazz Ensemble students at least twice a week. That sounds like a lot, but in reality, I always feel like they should hear more. The balance between history and modernity comes into play; students need to understand the music’s roots, but they also need see the style’s forward motion. Exposure to historically important recordings teaches them stylistic foundations and enhances their performances. These are also future consumers that will potentially support artists through purchasing recordings and attending concerts - they will be supporting current artists, so they need to become familiar with them. Selecting listening choices requires a great deal of thought every week.

I can easily identify artists to include, but narrowing down their essential recordings puts me at a standstill. Certainly we want to include Tito Puente, but he recorded over 100 albums as a leader. The Machito Orchestra belongs in the essential artist category, but what album is more important - the Afro Cuban Jazz Suite recorded with Charlie Parker or their groundbreaking Kenya album? Cal Tjader can’t be forgotten, but what determines his place in history - the commercial success of Soul Sauce or the musical significance of Cal Tjader’s Latin Concert, recorded with Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo? Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band redefined small group Latin Jazz, but what counts as historically important - their re-imagining of Thelonious Monk on Rumba Para Monk or an album that includes original compositions like Ya Yo Me Cure? I find myself contemplating these questions endlessly, and always hitting a roadblock.

I really need some help with this one . . .

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Do you have an idea for a future Community Conversation? As much as I enjoy exploring my own interests with this weekly post, I’d prefer to have this forum address the overall interests of the entire community. Do you have an issue that effects Latin Jazz? Do you have an idea for a fun topic? Let me know so that we can throw it out to the whole community - leave a comment or e-mail me.

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