Album Notes

MACHETAZO
10 Years on the Edge
John Santos and The Machete Ensemble

As we continue to work, write and learn together, we are guided by improvisation, intuition, and the inspiration of countless pioneers. It is our most sincere hope that our related expressions will be regarded favorably by our current audience as well as in the annals of time.

Latin Jazz is a classic American artform currently enjoying unprecedented international popularity. Unfortunately, and largely due to its humble „ethnic origins,‰ this vital form of expression has been
largely ignored in terms of historical recognition and documentation, despite its surprising role in American pop culture and its obvious recent successes.

Part of the problem is the general tendency in the United States to consider America as limited to the 50 states. This narrow perspective obviously leaves the Caribbean countries, Central America and South
America out of the equation. Anything south of our border is thought to be foreign. The truth of the matter, however, is that the Americas share a common history, including Jazz, and the heart of America is the
Caribbean, not Nebraska.

Of all the diverse forms of Latin American music, Latin Jazz is the most direct and influential link to the music of the United States. Its history runs parallel to that of North American Jazz, having been created in the Caribbean community of which New Orleans (the birthplace of Jazz) is such a vital part, in New York City, the creative music capital of the world, and other American urban centers. The origins of Latin Jazz are mostly Cuban, drawing upon African and European roots, but all the countries of Latin America have contributed to its development.

This is not meant to deny the fact that the majority of Jazz‚ origins, creators and innovators have come from the U.S. But while Jazz was being conceived in New Orleans even before the turn of the century, it was simultaneously taking root and cross-fertilizing in all the major ports of the Caribbean basin.

Has Jazz influenced Latin music more than Latin music has influenced Jazz ? This question is an ongoing controversy, but their long-established, mutually beneficial relationship is indisputable. Latin Jazz has been here for a long time and is here to stay. It‚s more
American than apple pie (if you look at America in the true sense of the word).

Let us not forget the spirituality of the music. Whether in the context of ritual, meditation, or simply to uplift the joy that often gets lost deep within ourselves, music heals. We frequently purport to teach music. But it is the music that teaches. We have but to listen. To
feel. To dream.

- J.S. Oakland, CA August,1997
(from liner notes)