On Saturday, August 5, 2023, saxophonist JONATHAN SUAZO celebrated the release of RICANO at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center’s TEATRO LATEA.
Suazo was inspired to create Ricano when he researched Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as a Berklee Global Jazz Institute student. The result is an exciting and visionary fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms fused with elements of jazz, chants, spoken word, improvisation, and folkloric and danceable rhythms.
At Teatro Latea, a spacious and audience-friendly venue, the set opened with Don’t Take Kindly, a song composed by Suazo as a “healthy” response to being discriminated against. The song’s bluesy, gospel feel and chorus, made of Fabiola Méndez and Tanicha Lopez, dramatically drove home Suazo’s message.
In the intro to Esperanza pa’ my pueblo (Hope for my people), Suazo addresses the complicated social and political times we live in and reminds the audience, “There is hope in the most minor and significant details.”
Dharma revolves around the Puerto Rican bomba rhythm known as Yubá. Also, it is a meditation on Suazo’s mission and “conforming to one’s duty and nature.” As before, the mighty chorus played a significant role in delivering the song’s tone and message.
Somos mas que tu salutes and captures the loss of the activist and champion of plena, Tito Matos, who unexpectedly and tragically died in 2002.
A highlight of the evening was Tanicha Lopez’s raw and passionate interpretation of the Puerto Rican anthem, Verde Luz, which vividly brought Emil “Hijo de Boriken’s” lyrics to life.
Suazo’s interpretation of Juan Luis Guerra’s Amapola was a crowd-pleaser. As was, Ser de aqui, performed by vocalist, cuatro player Fabiola Méndez in the Puerto Rican style known as aguinaldo lamento. Other memorable moments included the ensemble’s interpretation of Heroes and Afro Domi.
The set closed with Seguimos Luchando (the struggle continues), which seamlessly fuses Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Dominican rhythms and speaks truth to power in the spirit of groups such as Plena Combativa.
Visually, Suazo’s ensemble resembles a folkloric group, and in some respects, it is, but what makes the configuration fascinating is his ability to seamlessly fuse modern as well as Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Dominican elements into the folkloric structure. Visually and musically, Suazo’s ensemble embodies the best of both worlds.
Fabiola Méndez and vocalist Tanicha Lopez’s vocals were dynamic. The outstanding rhythm section featured bassist Ricky Rodriguez, pianist Eduardo Zayas, drummer Francisco Alcalá, and a powerful Afro-Caribbean percussion section.
Teatro Latea is one of New York City’s best-kept secrets. It is spacious, communal, and affordable, and the programming is inclusive and diverse. Upcoming shows include a powerful evening of music and dance inspired by Federico Garcia Lorca’s Spirit. Click HERE for information about upcoming events.
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