Chico O'Farrill
HEART OF A LEGEND
(Milestone 9299)

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Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill is one of the most important figures when it comes to Afro-Cuban music. This gentle and quiet man is one of music's unsung heroes. He has not only made a name for himself in the world of Latin music, but in the world of Jazz as well. So why is it that he has quietly slipped away? Not until recently has Chico come back on the scene. He has always been there, but it has been for the most part behind the scenes.

HEART OF A LEGEND is the follow-up to his Grammy nominated PURE EMOTION. The latest offering contains fourteen tracks and features some of the best musicians on the scene, as well as some legendary performers such as Cachao, Candido, Patato and Chocolate. Chico covers everything from rumba to son, including bolero and cha cha cha, in a big band format. As usual the sound is great, which makes listening that much more of a pleasure.

HEART OF A LEGEND is an explosion of pure emotion from a true pioneer of Latin Jazz. If you want to really experience what this music is all about this is a definite starting point. With tunes like the upbeat mambo, "Guaguasi", or the guajira, "La Verde Campiña", and the "big city blues" of "Sing Your Blues Away", which features Freddy Cole on vocals, you get a sampling of everything the genre has to offer.

At a time when the focus is once again on the Latin "tinge",
exploring the HEART OF A LEGEND, like that of Arturo "Chico"
O'Farrill, will make "The Journey" through "La Verde Campiña" one of "Pure Emotion" where the "Momentum" of a "Trumpet Fantasy" will wisk you away to el "Fin De Siglo" while you "Sing Your Blues Away". You just gotta give it a listen... 


- george@salsaweb.com

Songs:

- Guaguasi
- Momentum
- La Verde Campiña
- Sing Your Blues Away (For Ñeca)
- Guaguasi Abstracto
- Trumpet Fantasy (For Wynton)
- Chico's Cha Cha Cha
- Te Quiero
- Manteca
- Locos De La Habana
- Sin Tu Amor
- Pure Emotion
- Fin De Siglo
- The Journey
*All music composed, arranged and conducted by Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill


Personnel:

Chico O'Farrill Arranger and conductor
Arturo O'Farrill Piano and music director
Gary Valente, Sam Burtis, Papo Vázquez, Jack Jeffers - Trombone
Mike Migliore, Peter Brainin - Tenor sax
Jimmy Cozier, Marshall McDonald, Bobby Porcelli - Alto sax
Pablo Calogero Baritone sax
Jim Seeley, Matt Hilgenberg, Roger Ingram, Kenny Rampton, David "Piro"
Rodriguez - Trumpet
Andy González, Joe Santiago - Bass
Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Willie Martinez - Drums
Joe González - Congas
Eddie Bobe - Bongos, Percussion

Special Invited Guests:

Cachao - Bass
Gato Barbieri - Tenor Sax
Freddy Cole - Vocals
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros - Trumpet
Candido Camero - Congas
Patato Valdes - Congas, Maracas
Mauricio Smith - Flute, Clarinet
Paquito D'Rivera - Alto Sax, Clarinet
Arturo Sandoval - Trumpet
Juan Pablo Torres - Trombone
Mario Rivera - Soprano Sax
David Oquendo - Guitar
Orlando "Puntilla" Rios - Congas, Percussion
Vivian Ara - Vocals
Iimar Gavilan - Violin

Produced by: Jorge Ulla, Todd Barkan and Arturo O'Farrill

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