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Born in New York to Colombian parents, Nelson Riveros grew up learning about the music and cultures of the Americas. After playing a gig of some of Wes Montgomery’s vaunted repertoire a few years ago, he had the idea of reimagining the legendary guitarist’s music in Latin American styles. “The Latin Side of Wes Montgomery” is the long-awaited second release by the acclaimed guitarist, composer and arranger. “I started to hear all kinds of rhythms, basslines, and melodic variations to some of his tunes,” Riveros explains. “The next day I started writing arrangements, and this very project began to take shape.”
More than fifteen years after his last release as a leader, saxophonist Rick Margitza makes his long-awaited return with the captivating new album, “Sacred Hearts.” The deeply personal disc takes stock of the joys and tragedies that have unfolded over the last decade and a half, with new compositions dedicated to those lost along the way as well as the new life that has come into being. The overall feeling is far from mournful. Margitza set out to celebrate lives well lived rather than to dwell on tragic losses.
Also this week, “Cleveland Time” is the debut release from Matthew Alec and the Soul Electric, a jazz fusion group based in, and celebrating, Cleveland;
for her sophomore release, “Everybody Knows,” vocalist Brianna Thomas presents a book of songs that encapsulates common human experiences and honors the universal truths “everybody knows”;
and the Mexico City-born, Los Angeles-based bassist/composer/arranger Mauricio Morales delivers his compelling first outing, “Luna.”