Quarteto Nuevo
http://www.quartetonuevo.com/
"Making new world music for a new world".
Quarteto Nuevo is a multi faceted world music chamber ensemble comprised of musicians
with backgrounds in folkloric, jazz, classical, and world music traditions.
Members include:
Christopher Garcia - Percussion of North and South India,
Marimba, Mbwata, Olla, Vakuvache;
Jacob Szekely - cello;
Kenton Youngstrom - Guitar;
and
Damon Zick - Soprano Sax, Alto Flute;
the musicos bring a wealth of musicality and performance experience to the stage,
combining instruments not usually associated with "chamber",
"jazz" and/or "world music" for a truly unique musical experience.
http://www.quartetonuevo.com/
QUARTETO NUEVO
CONCERT AND CD
PREVIEWS REVIEWS AND MORE
QUARTETO NUEVO, a unique world jazz quartet is sometimes reminiscent of Oregon.
Founded in 2001 by percussionist Christopher Garcia (who is particularly adept on tabla),
the current edition of the group also includes cellist Jacob Szekely, acoustic guitarist Kenton
Youngstrom and Damon Zick on soprano sax and alto flute.
Performing originals plus pieces by Egberto Gismonti and Milcho Leviev,
QUARTETO NUEVO features individual solos but the main emphasis, and the most
unique aspect of the group, is their ensemble sound. Influenced by styles from India
and Mexico in addition to jazz and classical music.
QUARTETO NUEVO'S music is modern and uses advanced rhythms and time signatures
yet also has the sound of ancient times. Their nine performances on their CD are atmospheric,
full of subtle surprises and unlike anything else heard in the jazz world.
Clearly this would be a fascinating group to see live and fortunately they perform occasionally
in the Los Angeles area. This fine outing gives listeners a strong example of their music."
LA JAZZ SCENE
SCOTT YANOW
“What this quartet effectively does, is to merge Andean folk, North Indian classical,
Latin and jazz with an organic feel that also packs a wallop! The ensemble's razor
sharp precision is enhanced by its jazzy interludes, lightly rumbling percussion motifs
and difficult to navigate, time signatures. They effectively meld the music of ancient
worlds and faraway places with a contemporary groove. Ultimately, this wonderful
outing signifies one of the major surprises of the year!
(Passionately recommended)”
ALL ABOUT JAZZ - Glenn Astarita
NUEVO HORIZONS
Quarteto Nuevo brings its hybrid sound to South Pasadena
By Kirk Silsbee 11/11/2010
Christopher Garcia is a most uncommon percussionist .......an ace trap drum player
....known for precise execution of difficult time signatures at blazing tempos;
and he’s a hand percussionist with a deep background in Indian and Latin American music.
No mere timekeeper, he always seems to elevate whatever musical situation
he finds himself in. His Quarteto Nuevo ....spins a fantastic hybrid of sounds
and styles: the Andes, the Punjab and Catalonia might all be suggested on one tune.
Garcia conceived his group as an outlet for his own compositions and as a meeting
place for gifted instrumentalists. Youngstrom observes, “With each new tune,
the group subtly redefines itself.
My ‘Say What?’ is inspired by Latin jazz; my chart on Milcho Leviev’s
‘Women’s Dance’ is like a Bulgarian blues in 5/4.” Garcia sees growth in the
last decade. “We’ve accomplished a new sound for the ensemble.
There’s so much more that we’re hearing now due to rehearsals
and many more doors have been opened to us.
Our limitations are, as always, ourselves and time.”
PASADENA WEEKLY ARTICLE BY KIRK SILSBEE
CD REVIEW OF NEW QUARTETO NUEVO RELEASE
http://www.metaljazz.com/2010/11/la_previews_november_1218_mast.php
Sat. Nov. 13 --
Local world musicians Quarteto Nuevo have re-formed with a new lineup:
omni-drummer Christopher Garcia now joined by cellist Jacob Szekely,
guitarist Kenton Youngstrom and saxist Damon Zick. Their fresh album
"Quarteto Nuevo" conserves the features that made the group so attractive
before -- an original and instantly accessible approach to Middle Eastern,
Indian, Mexican and flamenco music, with bridges built among 'em all.
(Even a Zappa tune, because that's essential to Garcia's lineage.)
The watchword is space, as you'll breathe deeply and relax with the cleanly
defined balance of these master musicians, who could play a lot busier but don't,
because they want to communicate. Listen to the way Garcia slaps tablas,
so deep and internal that they seem like part of your own ventricles.
Szekely draws out rich bowed lines, Youngstrom strums or melodicizes,
Zick subs for double-reed snake music with an undulating soprano sax,
and they're as symmetrical and beautiful as an arabesque.
The kids will dig it.
METALJAZZ.COM
"Playing what one might term World Music, the group is more of a jazz
ensemble that uses traditions of different cultures’ music's as a solid foundation,
combining unusual and unique instrumental textures and orchestrations with authoritative
improvising. Original compositions are rendered along with arrangements of favorites
by a variety of other composers, all blending together to create a consistent
ensemble sound and identity."
OPEN GATE THEATRE
“This is an intriguing set. Although there have been many types of "fusions"
of jazz with other types of music, only a relatively few projects have mixed
jazz with World Music from foreign countries. Quarteto Nuevo's music goes
through quite a few different moods yet remains gentle, subtle, melodic and often
rhythmically complex....this CD almost seems like a suite, with one number leading
to the next.”
LA JAZZ SCENE - Scott Yanow
“Straddling the worlds of folkloric, jazz, and contemporary composition,
these four virtuosos make a hybrid music that’s greater than the sum of its parts."
L.A. CITY BEAT
"QUARTETO NUEVO are some amazing musicians, who’ve played with a veritable
who’s who of world, chamber, jazz and avant garde music."
SANTA MONICA MIRROR
“QUARTETO NUEVO is concert pick of the week"
LA WEEKLY
"irresistible program...stunning projection...highly
motivated performances...exceptional virtuosity and
high musical standards"
LOS ANGELES TIMES
"percussionist Garcia just kicked my ears down
Broadway. ..... cross-legged, almost hidden behind his
unique drum kit, coaxing complex rhythms from hand
drums and adding subtle colors on shakers, cymbals,
cowbell and jam blocks.”
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
Quarteto Nuevo's members have performed
and/or recorded with the following:
the Ahn Trio, Ancient Grooves,
Aspen Jazz Ensemble, John Bergamo,
Bergen Filharmonik Orkester under the direction of Kristan Jarvi,
Dusan Bogdanovich, Bobby Bradford, Mike Cain, Park Je Chun,
Alex Cline Ensemble, Nels Cline/CG Duo, CONTINUUM, Aloke Dasgupta,
Eartha Austria Trio, Taylor Eigsti, Eastman Wind and Jazz Ensemble,
Martin Espino, Falla Guitar Trio, Florida Wind Symphony, Vinny Golia,
Alex de Grassi, Arthur Jarvinen, Abhiman Khasal, Souhail Kaspar,Larry Koonse,
Michael Manring, Bob Mintzer, Roberto Miguel Miranda, The Moscow Symphony,
National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, New World Symphony,
Nima Collective, the Oslo Camerata, Don Preston Quartet, Que Tal, Ali Jihad Racy,
the Red Quartet, Eddie Resto, Rochester Philharmonic Pops Orchestra,
the Salaam Ensemble,Harry Scorzo Quartet, Supernova String Quartet,
Mochizuki Takinojo, the Trondheim Soloists, The UCLA World Jazz Ensemble,
Luis Villegas, VIO-FONIK, Michael Pierre Vlatkovich,
and John Zeretzke among others
www.facebook.com/QuartetoNuevo
Read more...