ALBUM REVIEWS

JERRY GONZALEZ AND THE FORT APACHE BAND

“Pensativo”

Milestone

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Despite a Grammy nomination last year for the CD “Crossroads,” and critical recognition for their recording “Rhumba Para Monk” as the Latin-jazz album from the ‘80s, trumpeter-conga player Jerry Gonzalez and his Fort Apache Band remain a largely unknown quantity. And that’s a pity. The Fort Apache Band, with alto saxophonist Joe Ford, tenor man John Stubblefield, pianist Larry Willis, bassist Andy Gonzalez and percussionist Steve Berrios, is among the most musical of ensembles working jazz themes against Caribbean rhythmic traditions. Because of its emphasis on arrangement and musicality, it’s a band especially worthy of consideration by jazz fans who don’t take easily to Latin beats.

Standout arrangements by pianist Willis paint a sound that is both rich and meaningful. On Wayne Shorter’s “Dance Cadaverous,” he matches Gonzalez’s fluegelhorn with the saxophones and simple maracas-based percussion to frame his own keyboard solo, an effort that moves as easily as Gene Kelly. The mournful piano, soprano sax and fluegelhorn amalgam Willis creates for Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing” goes straight to the heart of this melancholy number. Stubblefield’s “Midnight Train” also utilizes a seamless blend of the horns, while chugging along to a strong salsa beat.

But the best numbers on this important album are those that feature the ensemble melding tight beats and strong solo efforts. Stubblefield is particularly moving, his muscular tenor pacing through chord changes like a caged, sometimes roaring lion. Ford’s alto is more relaxed, yet every bit as potent as it weaves through the changes of “Heidi Ho.” Gonzalez shows a sensitive side playing trumpet on “Ruby My Dear.”

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good, recommended), four stars (excellent).