We are thrilled to bring you this sound and video offering recorded in my studio on January 8th, 2021. In spite of all the repeated injustice, ridiculous madness, and strife, we are bringing you this document that is generated from a center of purity, compassion, and love. I am incredibly humbled by my band mates contributions, Kenny and Carlos. Kenny and I attended high school together back in 1998. Carlos and I met back in 2010 playing with Michael Philip Mossman. This was our first true encounter in over a year, and it feels like no one has missed a beat.
Here we are exploring certain Afro-Cuban elements dealing with syncopation, poly rhythmic variety, and a hybrid clave ostinato during the solo section. My favorite format has always been the piano trio, or a cuban quartet format that includes congas or percussion. Examples I can think of are Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chucho Valdez and Rubén Gonzalez. My technical approach allows me to orchestrate my phrases with a more pianistic style of articulation. The use of hybrid picking and the pinky finger are crucial in executing the chordal and linear structures. Cuban Jazz Guitar trio would best describe the format, and the approach we are exploring in this video. Undoubtedly, there are also elements that are stemming directly from listening to guitarists like Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin and Pat Martino. This music is a diffusion of my Cuban heritage, Miami upbringing, and the New York musical journey of the last 20 years. A very special thanks to D’Addario Strings for providing me with strings and cables, Gabriel Kirchheimer and Studio Chill, Zé Luis Oliveira, Iuri Oriente, Onel Mulet, Juan Caballero and Pedro Grey.
This representation of Aguilas Y Cuervos is simplified from its original version that will be found on our soon to be released second studio record, Cuban Reflections.
Here is a link to our current studio album.
Stay safe and healthy everyone and thank you for the support!
Kenny Grohowski: Drums, cymbals and bells
Yamaha bass drum, Black Panther Snare, Sonor Toms, Bosphorus Cymbals
Carlos Mena: Electric bass
Fender Jazz Bass
Richard Padrón:Guitar, audio engineer/recording, composer, video pre/post
Ibanez Guitars, Vox Amplifiers
