Spanish Harlem Orchestra Takes New Album to Jazz Alley

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra music swings in a way that makes you want to dance, but the musicianship is so good you have to watch instead.

One of the best bands in Latin music will bring their brand new Salsa with Latin Jazz album to Seattle’s Jazz Alley for a 4-night stand Oct 16-19.

“We want people to realize that they are listening to one of the best music ensembles of any style of music. You can have the best Jazz ensemble and they are not going to be tighter than us and their music is not going to be better, it’s just going to be different” says Oscar Hernandez with pride in our interview (exclusive with Latino Music Café) about his coming shows at Seattle’s Dimitrious Jazz Alley.

It’s hard to argue with Oscar. The previous four albums of his Spanish Harlem Orchestra have all received Grammy nominations and two of them actually won the Grammy award. That’s a record hard to emulate by any artist in any style of music. The former musical director of Ruben Blades and Seis del Solar (a band that won 2 Grammy awards in 7 albums), just released the 5th album of his Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and in my opinion it will again be nominated for a Grammy, and a serious contender for a 3rd golden phonograph.

What’s Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Secret to Making the Best Latin music?

“I’m just doing music the way I learned how to do it back in the 70’s” says Oscar Hernandez. Yes, the 13-piece Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s music is based on the Salsa music of the golden age of Salsa in the 70’s, with contemporary arrangements, and mostly original songs (mostly Salsa with some Latin Jazz thrown in). But it’s a combination of written Afro-Cuban music with individual improvisation what sets apart the Spanish Harlem Orchestra from any Latin music ensemble you’ll listen. In live performances, all 13 members of the band are featured at some point during the show.

In this audio-clip, Oscar Hernandez talks about the importance of bringing that creativity out of each of member of the band in order to make great music.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the Jazz Alley Oct. 16-19

With a brand new hot Salsa album just out, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra heads for a 4-night stay at Seattle’s Dimitrious Jazz Alley.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra has been mostly playing Jazz festivals and jazz venues, which are Oscar’s preferred type of venues since this is the type of audience that can sit and appreciate good musicianship.

In this audio clip, Oscar Hernandez talks about the high expectations of playing in the Jazz Alley.

 

Latin music and Jazz fans have a chance to support a Latin music ensemble that will delight fans of good music, especially if you like the sound of good Salsa and Latin Jazz.