Dave Samuels

1. Rendezvous
2. Naima
3. Five for Elvin
4. Soul Sauce
5. Picture Frame
6. Stolen Moments
7. Birds of a Feather
8. Afro Green
9. Bemsha Swing

Afro Bop Alliance

The Caribbean Jazz Project, the Latin jazz collective of vibraphonist David Samuels, steel pan drummer Andy Narell and saxophonist Paquito d’Rivera, crafted their first recordings on Heads Up International in the 1990s and immediately captured the imagination of audiences and critics worldwide. In the years since, the GRAMMY® Award winning ensemble CJP lead by Samuels has recorded subsequent albums on the Concord label and a few of the faces in the group’s roster have changed. Nevertheless, Samuels and company continue to explore and test the commonly accepted boundaries of Latin jazz – and jazz in general – via innovative compositions and exciting arrangements.

The Caribbean Jazz Project's -Latin Grammy winning (and Grammy nominated)Afro Bop Alliance recasts nine CJP signature pieces – some by Samuels and others by Coltrane, Monk and other jazz luminaries – in a fresh new light via full-bodied arrangements by the Maryland-based Afro Bop Alliance, one of the most exciting new bands on the Latin jazz scene today. Since their inception less than five years ago, the brassy and high-energy Afro Bop Alliance has electrified audiences at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Jazz Café, The W. C. Handy Jazz Festival and many other music and cultural festivals.

The set opens with light-hearted and energetic “Rendezvous.” The Afro Bop horns bring a level of energy that complements the CJP rhythm section of bassist Max Murray drummer Joe McCarthy and percussionist Roberto Quintero. The followup track is a breezy but solid rendition of Coltrane’s classic “Naima,” with a horn and vibe counterpoint that moves the piece along toward a coda that eventually stretches the limits of melody and percussion to the limits of tonality and rhythm. In the final stretch, “Afro Green” opens with a mysterious sounding marimba/percussion mix that underscores a majestic horn arrangement, then segues into a more traditional jazz groove. The closer is an intriguing rendition of Monk’s well-known “Bemsha Swing” that takes the jazz classic beyond its traditional moorings into a more experimental realm.

Concord 2006

1. Nardis
2. St. Ogredol
3. Portraits Of Cuba
4. Afro Green
5. Wazo Dayzeel
6. Slow Dance
7. Spinnaker
8. Mambo de Luna (Para Cachao)
9. Dusk

Mosaic

With the release of Mosaic, their first studio album since 2003’s Birds of a Feather, the Grammy award-winning group, the Caribbean Jazz Project led by vibist/marimbist/composer Dave Samuels, has again served notice that they are among the most thoroughly inventive Latin-jazz ensembles of this, or any, era. Drawing on a variety of Afro-Cuban, Venezuelan, Peruvian, Jamaican, and North American rhythms, the CJP comes through with flying colors on Mosaic, which features three different bands. On four tracks, Samuels leads a quintet that adds a new sound for the CJP: organ/piano—Alain Mallet, acoustic bass—Boris Kozlov, drums—Dafnis Prieto, and percussion—Roberto Quintero. On two other tracks violinist Christian Howes is added to the sonic mix. The remaining three selections find Samuels reunited with former CJP co-founders reedman Paquito D’Rivera and steel pan player Andy Narell.

From their arresting treatment of Miles Davis’s “Nardis” to Mallet’s clever “St. Ogredol” (built on the chord changes of the standard “On Green Dolphin Street”), and from Narell’s singing line that is “Wazo Dayzeel” to Samuels’s sensual “Slow Dance,” the Caribbean Jazz Project creates a brilliantly multi-hued mosaic.

Concord 2005

Disk One

1. Rendezvous
2. Stolen Moments
3. Turnabout
4. Arthur's Dance
5. The Gathering
6. Picture Frame
7. Bemsha Swing

Disk Two

1. One Step Ahead
2. Mariella's Dream
3. On The Road
4. Five For Elvin
5. Naima
6. A Night In Tunisia
7. Caravan (Bonus Track)

Here And Now: Live In Concert

For more than a decade Caribbean Jazz Project has artfully redefined Latin jazz with their uniquely exciting and uncompromising merging of fiery Latin rhythms with adventurous, envelope-pushing jazz improvisation. And perhaps no other recording in the Grammy® Award-winning band’s impressive discography has better captured their uninhibited energy and incendiary intensity than this 2-CD set of performances recorded live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. Spurred by the zealous vibraphone and marimba pyrotechnics of virtuoso mallet-man Dave Samuels, Caribbean Jazz Project takes Latin jazz to new, creative heights in their long-anticipated first live recording,Grammy nominated Here and Now—Live in Concert.

Concord 2003

1. Birds Of A Feather
2. On The Road
3. Turnabout
4. Against The Law
5. Tell Me A Bedtime Story
6. Valencia 1
7. Picture Frame
8. Blue
9. Weird Nightmare
10. Minor Mood

Birds of a Feather

How do you follow Caribbean Jazz Project's Grammy®-winning CD, The Gathering? For Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project, the answer is to keep doing things you've done for a decade: using instrumental combinations that are unusual in Latin jazz; showcasing strong soloists; and exploring a wide range of Latin musical forms. ‘It isn't where you came from, it’s where you're going that counts.’—Ella Fitzgerald. With Grammy nominated Birds of a Feather, the Caribbean Jazz Project continues a rewarding musical voyage that began 10 years ago. This recording yields new pleasures in the art of instrumental improvisation—and continues the group’s exploration of Latin/Caribbean music in its many vibrant forms

Concord 2002

1. Rendezvous
2. Stolen Moments
3. See You In A Minute
4. The Gathering
5. Bemsha Swing
6. Libertad
7. El Guarachero Intrigozo (The Scheming Party Animal)
8. The Path
9. Masacoteando (In The Groove)

The Gathering

One of the most refreshingly innovative groups in Latin jazz today, the Caribbean Jazz Project - co-led by Dave Samuels and Dave Valentin - never fails to surprise and delight listeners with their inspired melding of jazz and Latin music. Their Grammy winning album "The Gathering" puts a new Latin spin on jazz standards (such as playing Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" as a cha cha in 7/4-time, or recasting Thelonious Monk's "Bemsha Swing" as a mambo!), or bringing their compelling original compositions to life with distinctive artistry and virtuosity (such as Valentin's groovin' song "See You In A Minute", or Samuels' Puerto Rico spiced bomba "The Path", the Caribbean Jazz Project has created a signature sound unlike any other group in Latin jazz. Re-joining the Caribbean Jazz Project in this special gathering are pianist Dario Eskenazi (a member of the original group) and special guest and CJP alumnus Paquito D'Rivera, making The Gathering a recording event that's not to be missed!

Heads Up 1996

1. Bluellespie
2. Sadie's Dance
3. Calabash
4. Tjaded Motion
5. Zigzag
6. Andalucia
7. Shadow Play
8. Libertango
9. The Lost Voice
10. Grass Roots

Island Stories

The Caribbean Jazz Project begins a new chapter with merengues,cha chas and more on Island Stories. Certain to be one of the most spectacular Latin jazz releases to come out this year, Island Stories continues the evolution of The Caribbean Jazz Project, a superband featuring Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Samuels and Andy Narell, which gained international acclaim with its 1995 self-titled debut.

Blending the unique sounds of Narell's steel pan, Samuels' vibes and marimba, and the virtuoso musings of D'Rivera on alto sax and clarinet, this ensemble is a world music melting pot featuring the sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America, Brazil and Cuba and mixing it with the tradition of jazz. The Project is rounded out with Dario Eskenzai on piano, Oscar Stagnaro on bass, Mark Walker on drums and Pemell Saturnino on percussion.

Jazz groups can be fragile entities, by the very improvisational nature of the music and the intuitive ebb and flow of musicians' lives. But, sometimes, an ensemble idea takes root and creates a self-perpetuating momentum of its own. With the release of its second album,Island Stories, The Caribbean Jazz Project takes another bold step in an evolution that began with the release of their well-received 1995 debut on Heads Up. Like the first album, the band, led by the legendary Cuban saxist Paquito D'Rivera, vibes/marimba player Dave Samuels, and steel pan player Andy Narell, is all about festive spirits and sophistication, with an ear towards the Caribbean musical landscape. Theirs is a celebratory sound, full of rhythmic fervor and melodic luster, but also mindful of the rich musical tradition the merging of jazz with Caribbean forms. This is a project with a mission.

CJP has more than its fair shares of resources, between the musicians' well-honed gifts for both writing and playing. This album also includes tunes from outside the group, painting a broader portrait of the musical backdrop.

Concord 2001

1. One Step Ahead
2. Naima
3. Maluco
4. Caravan
5. El Tacano
6. Five For Elvin
7. Second Opinion
8. Jamboree
9. Ca-ni-mo!
10. Obaricoso / Ritmos, Colores, y Sentidos

Paraiso

Co-led by vibraphonist Dave Samuels, flautist Dave Valentin, and guitarist/percussionist Steve Khan, the Caribbean Jazz Project has struck the perfect balance between honoring the rich Latin jazz tradition and forging restlessly innovative musical transitions. Featuring original compositions by band members Dave Samuels and Steve Khan alongside creative, Latin-infused re-workings of jazz and Latin classics such as John Coltrane's "Naima," Duke Ellington's "Caravan," and Mongo Santamaria's "Obaricoso," the Caribbean Jazz Project's Paraiso epitomizes the very best in Latin jazz. Special guest artsts Poncho Sanchez (congas), Conrad Herwig (trombone), and Ray Vega (flugelhorn) also sit in on what surely has to be one of the most exciting and fully-realized Latin jazz albums of the new year.

Concord 2000

1. Descarga Canelon
2. Ivory Coast
3. Rain Forrest
4. Charanga Si, Si
5. A Night In Tunisia
6. Moon And Sand
7. Over The Horizon
8. Arthur's Dance
9. Safe And Sound
10. Rompiendo El Hielo En 200

New Horizons

With the album New Horizons, the Caribbean Jazz Project has been reborn, and the new band boasts a sound as clear and inviting as a white sandy beach disappearing into an azure sea. With its markedly different instrumentation, the new version of CJP has little in common with the old one, unless you count brilliant musicianship, a joyous sound and free flowing rhythmic dexterity coupled with probing improvisation.

Marimba and vibes virtuoso Dave Samuels, the sole holdover from the original CJP, knew the concept was too exciting to let it fade away when Paquito D'Rivera and Andy Narell moved on to new projects. While working on a tribute to Cal Tjader, he did some playing with guitar hero Steve Khan, flute master Dave Valentin and veteran Latin jazz bassist John Benitez. The chemistry was so combustible that he realized he just might have found a way to refashion the band along lines he was already contemplating.

The sextet's innovative instrumentation also draws upon Cal Tjader's old quintet, which featured Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo on percussion. For CJP, Samuels recruited the superb conguero Richie Flores and Venezuelan-born Robert Vilera on timbales. The absence of a trap set is one of the reasons the band's rhythmic textures feel so open and transparent. The band recorded New Horizons after a series of rigorous rehearsals and a four-night stand at Birdland in New York.

Heads Up 1995

1. One For Tom
2. Abracadabra
3. Carousel
4. Como Un Bolero
5. Paco & Dave
6. Valse Triste
7. Latin Quarter
8. Todo Aquel Ayer
9. Three Amigos
10. Afro
11. Cafe Espana

The Caribbean Jazz Project

As feisty a fiesta as instrumental music can offer, The Caribbean Jazz Project is a historic musical event combining the all-star talents of Cuban saxophone and clarinet great Paquito D'Rivera, steel pan legend Andy Narell and vibes/marimba master Dave Samuels in a loose, playful setting as exotic as the colorful artwork on the CD cover. Melodic and percussive, explosive in spots while passionate and romantic in others, the collection is about tropical pleasures, seductive atmospheres, and easily the most vibrant and dynamic ensemble interaction of any jazz album this year. The three principals wrap themselves around the spicy, relentless grooves of Dario Eskenazi (piano), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Luis Conte (percussion) and Mark Walker (drums), creating music that simmers and beats like the heart of an island on fire.

1. Sunset Glow
2. National Pride
3. White Russian
4. O Grande Amor
5. Moment to Moment
6. A Night In Tunisia
7. Carousel
8. Under The Dolphin
9. Up Jumped Spring

Moment to Moment

David Samuels is best known for his work with Spyro Gyra and the Caribbean Jazz
Project, but his lesser-known relationship of over 30 years with fellow mallet
percussionist David Friedman should not be overlooked. Their co-led Double
Image released its first recording (titled Double Image) in 1977, as a quartet. For
this live 2006 performance at StageOne in Fairfield, Conn., they performed as a
duo. This is an exceptional CD, and not just for the playing: engineers Carlos and
Jonathan Dias must be praised for the incredible sound quality as well.

Friedman plays vibes on most of the nine tracks, while Samuels plays marimba,
and they reverse instruments on the others, making it easy for the listener to tell
them apart. Most of the pieces share a mellow or pensive quality on the surface,
but they shimmer and shine with a subtle intensity that is riveting. Friedman and
Samuels’ weaving contrapuntal lines, ostinato figures and trills all mesh extremely
well, and they develop each tune with a certain logic and seeming inevitability.
Their melodic, emotionally expressive improvisations, and creative percussive and
rhythmic variations are a joy to hear.

Highlights include “White Russian,” with its hint of “When Johnny Comes
Marching Home.” Jobim’s classic “O Grande Amor” is interpreted brilliantly.
“Moment to Moment” is an assured, naturally progressing spontaneous
improvisation. “A Night in Tunisia” is taken refreshingly slow, adding a mysterious
and anticipatory air. “Under the Dolphin” is their original take of “On Green
Dolphin Street,” teasing and altering the melody and harmony with rejuvenating
effect. Freddie Hubbard’s “Up Jumped Spring” is also slowed to enhance the
melody’s beauty, and the duo’s astonishing rapport is on full display here.
Remember that great concert you wished had been recorded for posterity? Well,