Central College’s Gabriel Espinosa releases CD

Gabriel Espinosa, associate professor of music at Central College, spent the fall semester working with top jazz performers from all over the world to create a fantastically soothing, yet upbeat, collection of jazz music. Espinosa’s CD titled From Yucatan to Rio will be released nationally Tuesday, July 14. The Iowa release is slated for Wednesday, July 15, in conjunction with Ashanti’s Jazz in July performance on the lawn at Heartland Presbyterian Church in Des Moines at 7 p.m.

From Yucatan to Rio, under the New York Grammy winning Zoho label, has been reviewed by several jazz magazines and Web sites including jazz.com. Ralph Miriello of jazz.com says, “The music of Gabriel Espinosais infused with the light and uplifting sounds of Brazil. On ‘Nuevos Horizontes,’ Espinosa makes especially fine use of the melodic sounds ...In concert, they create his musical statement of expectancy and hope.”

Alluring melodies, engaging harmonies and insinuating rhythms of Brazil permeate Espinosa’s debut album.The CD includes an all-star international cast including trumpeter Claudio Roditi, saxophonist George Robert, pianist Helio Alves, guitarist Romero Lubambo, clarinetist Anat Cohen, drummer Adriano Santos, drumming sensation Antonio Sanchez, percussion player Jacinto Macedo and vocalists Darmon Meader and Kim Nazarian and featuring singer-composer Alison Wedding.

During a sabbatical last fall, Espinosa worked on bringing his own spice to the jazz music scene. He wanted to reinvent his music and find a new way to present the sounds and rhythms he loves. The CD features his music performed by some of the world’s greatest contemporary jazz musicians.

“Doing this CD lets me remind students it is a long journey and a life commitment to music,” said Espinosa. “I’m 56 and just recorded my dream CD. You have to have a dream, work hard, have faith and energy and believein what you can do — then you will have endless opportunities.”

A native of Merida, Mexico, Espinosa graduated from Central College in 1979. He attended the BerkleeCollege of Music in Boston, Mass., where he received a diploma in arranging. He went on to earn a master’sdegree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas in Denton. He has been director of jazz studies atCentral College for the past 13 years. Throughout his career as an educator and player (he’s recorded three CDs since 2000 with his Latin band Ashanti), Espinosa has put a premium on being a composer-arranger rather than showcasing his own bass chops.

The CD is funded in part with a grant from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts, Central College, El Instituto de Cultura de Yucatan y el Ayuntamiento de Merida.

A release show in New York City will be at the Iridium Jazz Club Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. The CD will be played in its entirety with world renowned jazz musicians featured on the album. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.iridiumjazzclub.com for $25.

(Other reviews for From Yucatan to Rio may be found at All About Jazz, JazzTimes and allmusic.)

Information courtesy Central College, 70809

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