GIRA MUNDIAL 2011 - RETURN TO FOREVER IV

El legendario grupo de jazz-rock Return to Forever ha regresado a los escenarios con una nueva integración, en formato de quinteto, que reúne al pianista y tecladista Chick Corea, el bajista Stanley Clarke, el baterista Lenny White, el guitarrista australiano Frank Gambale y el violinista francés Jean-Luc Ponty. En este regreso (que incluye una extensa gira mundial, apariciones televisivas, conferencias de prensa, souvenirs y algún inevitable DVD o disco en vivo -o ambos-) la banda adoptó la denominación Return to Forever IV. Número que nos ayuda a identificar o entender que, desde su constitución en 1971 a la fecha, el grupo ha tenido cuatro etapas claramente diferenciadas entre sí.

La primera de ellas, orientada al jazz latino (con Corea, Clarke, Joe Farrell, Airto Moreira y Flora Purim), abarcó de 1971 a 1973 y produjo los álbumes Return to Forever y Light as a Feather. El segundo periodo, identificado como “el cuarteto eléctrico”, tuvo lugar entre los años 1974 y 1977 (primero con Corea, Clarke, Lenny White y Bill Connors y luego con Al Di Meola reemplazando a este último) y comprendió los álbumes Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Where Have I Known You Before, No Mistery y Romantic Warrior. El tercer ciclo -entre 1977 y 1978- encontró a la banda en formato Big Band (Corea, Clarke, Joe Farrell, Gayle Moran, Gerry Brown, John Thomas, James Tinsley, Jim Pugh y Harold Garrett), lo cual se tradujo en los álbumes Music Magic y el triple en vivo RTF-Live.

De más está decir que la cuarta etapa es la que mencionamos al comienzo y que, por si no lo sabe, ha sido denominada por los autores materiales del hecho como “la era del quinteto eléctrico”.

La gira de Return to Forever IV (iniciada en Australia, actualmente en curso por Europa y próxima a iniciar su etapa estadounidense con Zappa Plays Zappa como grupo soporte), presenta un set list que incluye clásicos del repertorio de la banda (Medieval Overture, Sorceress, Romantic Warrior, No Mistery, etc.), algunas composiciones nuevas (New York, New Dream) y temas provenientes de las carreras solistas de algunos de sus miembros como Mirage de Jean Luc Ponty y School Days de Stanley Clarke.

EDDIE PALMIERI SPEAKS OUR AGAINST NARAS

MONDAY, JUNE 13TH

10AM-12PM

Eddie Palmieri will be hosting a press gathering in Washington, DC at the Marriot Wardman Hotel (2660 Woodley Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20008)

The elimination of categories, including Latin Jazz, for the 54th annual Grammy Awards raised many eyebrows and disappointed numerous musicians, especially former recipients/nominees. The ill-advised early April announcement by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) to cut thirty-one categories from the celebrated Grammy Awards has been met with shock and loud protests nationally and internationally. Latin Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco, Hawaiian, Polka, Traditional World, and certain gosel, Blies, R&B, and Mexican cateogires, among others, have all been unceremoniously terminated.

Renowned Puerto Rican pianist, Eddie Palmieri opposes NARAS’ recent move and is part of a national coalition seeking to reinstate the categories recently eliminated. Mr. Palmieri, famous for his unique ability to blend jazz and Latin rhythms, is considered one of the creators of the Latin Jazz genre and was particularly affected by the elimination of the category. Palmieri and other musicians are not ready to give up their categories and want NARAS to recognize that the genres remain relevant with vast and diverse international audiences that fill concert venues and music festivals.

Musicians like Eddie Palmieri have worked hard to establish the difference between straight-ahead Jazz and Latin Jazz. For more than 50 years, the nine-time Grammy award winner has been recognized as a groundbreaking pianist, composer/arranger and leader of celebrated Salsa and Latin jazz orchestras, as well as smaller jazz-oriented ensembles. He has also generously mentored countless young musicians throughout his career. He is hoping that the petition that initiated on his web-site and has grown to include a national base of supporters will force NARAS to re-think their decision, giving young artists the ability to continue the traditions associated with the eliminated categories.