Viva

Fruit of uniting great musicians who are bonded in longtime friendship and insightfully lead by trumpeter Diego Urcola, VIVA is a record where the most communicative, modern jazz language is fused to perfection with the most undiluted and absorbing Latin spirit, in a game of woven styles that make it impossible not to fascinate the listener.

"Smartly conceived and deftly executed, it's a testament not only to his abilities but also to the energy and innovation now flourishing in the realm of Latin jazz. Or pan-Latin jazz, since Mr. Urcola combines post-bop harmonies with rhythmic and melodic elements borrowed from multiple Southern Hemisphere cultures, including his own. He performs this alchemy with musicians originally from Venezuela (Edward Simon, pianist), Mexico (Antonio Sanchez, drummer), Curaçao (Pernell Saturnino, percussionist) and Israel (Avishai Cohen, bassist), as well as Cuba (special guest Paquito D'Rivera, reeds)." (The New York Times)

Nominated at the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Latin Jazz Album (Feb. 2007)

Recorded in New Jersey in November 2005 at Bennett Studios  Recording engineer Brian Dozoretz