Mario Bauza is given credit for inventing latin jazz in the 40's in New York City. But soon mainstream jazz musicians were blending the two styles - at the time, afro-cuban specifically with the jazz. Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo with the hit, "Manteca," brought latin jazz into the standard repertoire. And in the 50's, latin jazz exploded, Tito Puente, becoming one of its greatest stars. A little later, Stan Getz would get credit for bring Brazilian music into the latin jazz fold. 

When I arrived in San Francisco, there was a vibrant latin jazz scene - John Santos, Roy Obiedo, Omar Sosa, Wayne Wallace, Dr. Loco and a dozen more bands played all over town. I learned to play montunos on piano from the great Josh Jones who also taught me how to play conga at the late night, percussion-only rumbas at JJ Morgan's, Up and Down Club.

Pianist George Shearing made 5 records of latin jazz between 1957 and 1961, 4 of them for Capitol Records and one for MGM, all with vibraphone as the lead instrument. I had always loved these Shearing albums and had been looking for an opportunity to form such a band. Vibes are so cool. They're called 'vibes,' after all. 20 years after leaving SF and 3 years ago, I became the house pianist and musical director for the private restaurant in the luxury high-rise residences at 432 Park. In my effort to program different kinds of music and with the encouragement of GM, Will Simons, I started this band to great response. After playing many gigs at 432 we started to play around town to more great response. And once again, DennyAbrams liked the idea, became involved and made the recording happen. I can't thank him enough. 

There are album credits for the Shearing record on only one of the albums. With a little research, I found out who all the cats were on all the recordings and I would like to list them here:
Armando Peraza, Toots Thielman, Emil Richards, Cal Tjader, Warren Chiasson, Al McKibbon, Percy Brice, Carl Pruitt, Roy Haynes, Bill Clark, Joe Roland, Denzil Best, Marcus Foster, Calino Rolon, Candido Camero and Dick Garcia. 

CALI MAMBO - 4:33 (George Shearing)
STAR EYES - 6:29  (Gene de Paul/Don Raye)
POINCIANA - 5:39 (traditional/Nat Simon)
LA ENGANADORA - 3:53  (Enrique Jorrin)
DANZA CUBANA #2 - 3:31 (Ignacio Cervantes)
GUACHI GUARO - 4:41 (Dizzy Gillespie/Chano Pozo)
YOU AND THE NIGHT AND THE MUSIC - 4:15 (Schwartz/Dietz)
LULU - 4:47  (Dred Scott)
MANTECA - 4:48 (Gillespie/Pozo/Fuller)

Denny Abrams, producer/executive producer

Dred Scott, piano
Tom Beckham, vibraphone
Matt Pavolka, bass
Moses Patrou, percussions

Recorded at Big Orange Sheep, Brooklyn, NY
March 27 and May 4, 2023
Chris Benham, engineer

Tom Beckham, cover design    

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