As the story goes..., while exploring fine SF Bay Area cuisine and music, I happened upon a group of SF Bay Area performers whose music won my heart, as it may yours. I would like to tell you a story about Primavera Latin Jazz Band!

Primavera has its origins in the fact that each of the members has a passion to perform traditional Afro-Cuban and Brazilian musical forms, weaving these exciting Latin grooves into their jazz improvisations. While playing in an Afro-Cuban Orchestra at La Pena Cultural Center and in Afro-Cuban performance ensembles at the Berkeley Jazz School, the band members met and formed in the Spring of 2009, hence the band name “Primavera”. Their initial intention was to perform in a benefit concert in Berkeley. Primavera Latin Jazz Band has been performing frequently around the Bay Area ever since.

Primavera Latin Jazz Band's live performances include Latin jazz standards influenced by Afro-Cuban musical traditions. two of which are: Tito Puente’s “Philadelphia Mambo and Cal Tjader’s “Leyte”. Included in the album, 'Tocando Juntos', are fresh interpretations of Latin songs that were first introduced to American audiences by the great band leaders of the 30s and 40s: “Caravan”, popularized by Duke Ellington and “Frenesi”, popularized by the Artie Shaw Orchestra. The band’s heart-felt rendition of the Latin standard “Besame Mucho” features vocalist Ana Nitmar. Listen to Jane Lenoir’s haunting flute solo on “Sea Journey”.

Primavera also pays homage to the great jazz bands of the 60s and 70s with engaging performances of Latin-influenced jazz tunes including Chick Corea’s “Sea Journey”, Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father”, Joe Henderson’s “Recorda-Me”, and “Recado Bossa Nova”, which was first recorded by Hank Mobley. This album also includes two jazz standards that the band performs with a Latin flavor: Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and Charlie Parker’s “My Little Suede Shoes”.

The band is exploring jazz arrangements of Musica Popular Brasiliera (MPB), Brazilian popular music, and includes Tom Jobim’s “Brigas Nunca Mais” featuring vocalist Ana Nitmar.

But who is Primavera Latin Jazz Band?

Jane Lenoir, a virtuoso flautist with unparalled fluidity and extraordinary tone quality, who trained for 8 years at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and Oberlin College Conservatory, plays in orchestras all over the Bay Area. In the late 70s she studied with Hal Stein, a great swing player from New York, and started gigging as a jazz player.

Lena Johnson, who began piano lessons in Berlin when she was 5, and then grew up in Hispanic neighborhoods in New York City, loved listening to Cuban and Puerto Rican music.  Lena is intimate with the great works of classical composers, but is inspired by Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon, Ray Barreto , Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, and Clare Fischer.

Guitarist Jeff McNish, carried a toy guitar around with him until his parents finally gave him his first guitar lesson when he was five. Jeff learned to play guitar from mentors who played country and jazz guitar, and by jamming with other musicians in local jazz clubs. Jeff also went through a period of intense discovery of calypso music while sailing around the Caribbean. 

Percussionist Phil Montalvo plays congas, bongo, and a potpourri of Latin percussion. Drummer Jeff Becerra started playing when he was 9 and was first inspired by Buddy Rich.

Weaving very fine lines beneath the music of all of the players mentioned above is bass player John Malmquist, who is inspired by Wayne Shorter, Weather Report, as well as the Latin jazz greats.

Add to such beautiful songs Primavera's vocalist Anna Nitmar, from Guatemala, ...and you can feel the magic!

Speaking of magic, you will be pleased to know that the Bay Area's percussionist Jose Sierra, who began performing professionally at age 15, now performs with Primavera Latin Jazz Band. Jose's mentors, Santana's Raul Rekow and members of Viva Brasil Jose, expanded his knowledge of traditional Cuban and Brazilian music. Early on, Jose adopted additional percussion instruments and found musical role models such as Mongo Santamaria and Airto Moreira.

At this time, I introduce to you the Primavera Latin Jazz Band!

Make it a great day!

-Morton

Of Interest

The Bhagavad-Gita, the sixth Canto of the Mahabharata, the great epic of India, says, “One’s own work done imperfectly is far better than another’s done perfectly.” Each time a new idea filters into your consciousness, test the waters to see if it is “your” work.

Two books of interest are by Don Miguel Ruiz, based on ancient Toltec wisdom. The names of the two books are 'The Four Agreements, Toltec Wisdom' and ‘The Four Agreements, Study Guide’ -

Using the four agreements to master the dream of one’s life is the essence of these books.