Jerry Gonzalez

[randissimo]

I watched an outstanding DVD entitled, "Caliente 54" .. I was particularly impressed with the Fort Apache Band.. I have since listened to 3 CDs on the Enja label. What a great mix of Afro-Cuban tradition and hard swingin' Jazz!

[danasgoodstuff]

Loved their Rhumba Para Monk but haven't heard much since then (a decade ago?)

[rockefeller center]

Can anyone identify the name of the theme (?) that's played as intro to "Evidence" from the 1979 Jerry Gonzales "Ya Yo Me Cure"? I've heard this in other contexts and someone told me that it could be a traditional. Thanks.

mp3 sample

[JSngry]

Well worth seeking out are the albums that Jerry & brother Andy made as Conjunto Libre.

RC, I don't know the answer to your question, but thanks for mentioning that album, long a "genre bender" favorite of mine.

[Big Wheel]

Not sure what the name of that tune is but a very similar figure is played by the rhythm section on Jane Bunnett's "G.M.S. (Gandinga, Mondongo, Sandunga)" on her Spirits of Havana album, on Messidor.

Edited January 14, 2004 by Big Wheel

[rockefeller center]

Not sure what the name of that tune is but a very similar figure is played by the rhythm section on Jane Bunnett's "G.M.S. (Gandinga, Mondongo, Sandunga)" on her Spirits of Havana album, on Messidor.

Thanks a lot, Big Wheel! This helps a lot, great lead.

[mikeweil]

For those who wonder why nothing much has been heard of him on the US scene in recent years: he moved to Spain and plays with a band named "Los Piratas del Flamenco"!

[SEK]

Well worth seeking out are the albums that Jerry & brother Andy made as Conjunto Libre.

[Conjunto] Libre is percussionist Manny Oquendo and bassist Andy Gonzalez's group. I think that their music is generally more traditional (in an Afro-Cuban-Puerto Rican way), more intense, and more innovative than most of what has been released by Jerry Gonzalez's Fort Apache Band.

It sounds like I must check out "Ya Yo Me Cure".

My wife and I are the only folks I know in my neck of the woods who enjoy that music. I've dug "Afro-Cuban" music since I heard Ray Barretto at my grandparents' Catskill hotel over 40 years ago. (They always had a "Latin" band alternating with a big Swing dance band in the big room for dancing before the show. The Swing band would then play during the show behind and between the various entertainers. A jazzy trio, quartet, or quintet would then play in their smaller late-night club for dancers and behind the late show.)

Edited January 14, 2004 by SEK

[Joe G]

Saw Fort Apache in Detroit a couple of years back and loved it. Jerry was like a shaman up there.

[JSngry]

Well worth seeking out are the albums that Jerry & brother Andy made as Conjunto Libre.

[Conjunto] Libre is percussionist Manny Oquendo and bassist Andy Gonzalez's group. I think that their music is generally more traditional (in an Afro-Cuban-Puerto Rican way), more intense, and more innovative than most of what has been released by Jerry Gonzalez's Fort Apache Band.

I thought that Jerry was on the first Libre album or two back in the 70s, but I could be wrong.

[JohnS]

I like the way this band can slip between a latin and a jazz groove with ease. I'm not a great latin fan but this band is always worth paying some attention too.