Alma de Santiago

Personnel includes: Jane Bunnett (soprano saxophone, flute); Eduardo "Tiburon" Morales, Los Jubilados (vocals); Juan Chacon Gonzalez (soprano saxophone); Julio Cesar Gonzalez (alto saxophone); Rey Amaury Burgos Delis (tenor saxophone); Oscar Galan Ruiz (baritone saxophone); Larry Cramer (trumpet, flugelhorn); Carlos Thomas (trumpet); Geovanis Alcantara, David Virelles (piano); Roberto Occhipinti (bass); Wilfredo Fuentes Cespedes, La Conga De Los Hoyos De Santiago De Cuba (congas).
Recorded at EGREM Studios, Santiago, Cuba. Includes liner notes by Luis Tamargo.
ALMA DE SANTIAGO was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Personnel: Jane Bunnett (flute, soprano saxophone); Los Jubilados De Santiago De Cuba (vocals); Juan Chacòn Gonzàlez (soprano saxophone); Julio Cesar González (alto saxophone); Rey Amaury Burgos Delis (tenor saxophone); Oscar Galàn Ruiz (baritone saxophone); Larry Cramer (trumpet, flugelhorn); Carlos Thomas (trumpet); Geovanis Alcántara, David Virelles (piano); La Conga De Los Hoyos De Santiago De Cuba, Wilfredo Fuentes Céspedes (congas).
Audio Mixers: Detlef Engelhard; Johannes Wohlleben; Larry Cramer.
Recording information: Egrem Studios, Santiago, Cuba.
Photographer: Detlef Engelhard.
Recordings by Jane Bunnett are at such a high level that it is surprising that this one just slightly misses the mark. The flutist and soprano saxophonist teams up once again with husband trumpeter Larry Cramer and a variety of Cuban musicians and singers. On various selections of her CD one hears the Santiago Jazz Saxophone Quartet (which is mostly of limited interest), the salsa vocal group Los Jubilados de Santiago de Cuba, and (on "Jane and los Oyos") the large percussion group La Conga de los Oyos de Santiago de Cuba. Along the way some Cuban musicians take solos and Bunnett gets in a few good spots, but overall this set is not quite as essential or as memorable as most of Bunnett's recordings. ~ Scott Yanow