That Ringing Sound? It’s the Estrada Brothers’ Pulse

The vibraphone, a true percussion instrument with ties to congas, cowbells, timbales and cymbals, is a natural lead for a Latin jazz band. Its ringing sound, as Cal Tjader so amply demonstrated decades ago, is suited to both the lively spirit of salsa and the melancholy of bolero.

That traditional sound rang out Saturday at Steamers Cafe in Fullerton when the Estrada Brothers, a six-piece Latin band with vibraphonist Ruben Estrada, struck up Tjader’s “Cuban Fantasy.”

Estrada’s swirling vibraphone lines mingled gracefully with the rhythm section’s pulse, sometimes leading the way into fervid play, sometimes floating gently above the beat.

“We play a lot of Cal Tjader,” Estrada told the audience between tunes. And indeed, even as they turned Rodgers and Hart’s “Blue Moon” into a light-footed cha-cha and jazz-walk, Tjader’s influence resided in the sound of Estrada’s vibes.

The Estrada Brothers band comprises Henry Estrada, Ruben’s brother, on saxophone and flute and Ruben’s son, Ruben “Cougar” Estrada Jr., on drums.

Pianist Joe Rotondi Jr., percussionist Raul Rico Jr. and bassist Malcolm Ian Peters have been with the Ventura County ensemble for most of this decade. There has been an Estrada Brothers band in various forms for nearly 45 years.

The group’s shared genes and longevity show up on the bandstand in its tight ensemble play and in the ease with which it navigated turns of mood and pace.

Still, there’s a wide range of solo voices in the group, from Henry Estrada’s lyrical flute and alto work to the he-man displays of muscle and timing from percussionists Rico and Estrada Jr. With both Estrada brothers picking up a cowbell or some other noisemaker, the band locked into tight grooves filled with embellishments and accents.

Vibraphonist Estrada used the sometimes assertive percussion instrument as a springboard for more melodic statements, moving with emotion into its upper range, and sounding just the right note combinations as he descended. His tone was especially measured and romantic on “The Good Life”; he let notes reverberate in the ballad before moving on.

Pianist Rotondi is a strongly rhythmic player whose insistent clave figures often freed the drums and congas to pursue other agendas. On “Blue Moon,” the blend of piano, vibes and flute gave the music an attractive glow.

The Estrada Brothers will return to Steamers in March to record a live album for release on their own label, Rhumba Jazz. If they sound anything like they did Saturday, they’ve got a winner.