Jazz series swings indoors
The finale of The Buffalo News Jazz at the Albright-Knox series featured Wendell Rivera’s Latin Jazz Ensemble playing a solid, rhythmically rich program that was recorded for a possible CD release in the future. The audience on hand was respectful and applauded in all the right places and for all the right reasons, which is really quite amazing considering the small array of obstacles that fate put in the way.
First, there was the weather. Cool and rainy conditions don’t make for a terribly comfortable outdoor show, and Sunday afternoon was no exception.
Despite there being a “rain date,” set for Aug. 17, a disclaimer on the ad for the show noted that “in the event of rain, the scheduled concert may be moved inside to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery’s auditorium.”
Perhaps this exception to the rain date plan was occasioned by the internationally renowned violinist Alfredo De La Fe having to catch a flight from his home in Colombia to Buffalo specifically for the show. It wouldn’t make sense to have him fly all the way here if the concert couldn’t be held in some way.
Now toss in the fact that De La Fe, whose resume includes stints with Latin jazz legends Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and the Fania All-Stars, had to send his condolences to the concert because he wasn’t able to leave Colombia in time to play with Rivera’s forces. If it had just been a concert with the Latin Jazz Ensemble, the rain delay could have come into play.
Despite all these potential drawbacks, master percussionist Rivera led his talented troupe through their paces, directing the players from his spot behind the congas. After a brief sound check (a clever rendition of George Gershwin’s “Summertime”), the band started its concert in earnest, segueing from tune to tune with the only real interruption being Rivera’s introduction of some Latin dancers (one of whom was his daughter) who came onto the stage for a flurry of flashing feet and swinging hips.
Rivera was the class of the rhythm section, although the young kit drummer Francisco Quinones showed some flashes, and the playing of the band’s longtime bassist, John Curry, was succinct and to the point. Keyboard player Pat Georger was also solid, providing the chord patterns that the talented duo of trombonist John Hasselback and saxophonist Andy Weinzler used as a base for their flights of fancy.
Concert Review
Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble Part of The Buffalo News Jazz at the Albright-Knox series on Sunday.
