FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2021
2016 marked the Bronx Conexión Latin Jazz Big Band’s highly acclaimed debut titled TRUE FLIGHT. After a five-year hiatus, the dynamic 20-piece ensemble, ably led by percussionist, composer, arranger Victor Rendón returns with MAMBO BOULEVARD, which exceeds the high standards of its first effort.
The ensemble’s ongoing “mission” is to keep the big band tradition alive and create a diverse, exciting repertoire that appeals to a broad audience. Mambo Boulevard does not disappoint!
Victor Rendón’s El Chocante, Chale, and Nueces River reflect his passion for straight-ahead mambo with elements of Latin jazz. Biwa Lake is a lush, old-school bolero. Rick Faulkner’s Leeway (a play on words) tips its hat to the renowned jazz trumpeter, composer Lee Morgan and his signature Blue Note Sound. Dancers will revel in the ensemble’s versions of Arsenio Rodriguez’s Mami me gustó and Orquesta Aragon’s Aprende muchacho, soulfully sung by lead vocalist Jorge Maldonado and backup singers Marco Bermudez (a leader in his own right) and Hector Dávila. The album closes with the descarga Aguacero, an improvised jam session that is bound to move even the most casual listeners.
Initially, The Bronx Conexión Latin Jazz Big Band modeled itself after the orchestras of Tito Puente, Frank “Machito” Grillo, and Mario Bauza. According to Rendón, “it began mainly as a rehearsal band playing stock charts.” Later, Rick Faulkner and Joe Mannozzi brought in new compositions, arrangements, and remakes, and the rest is history. Another significant factor is an extensive residency at lower Manhattan’s renowned Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which gives the ensemble the freedom to experiment with new material and perform in front of a live audience. The experience was crucial to expanding the ensemble’s repertoire and the development of its trademark sound. On a more sweeping scale, Mambo Boulevard is a testament to Rendón’s leadership and the ensemble’s commitment to excellence. In brief, Mambo Boulevard is the next best thing to experiencing the band in a live setting.
Special guests include trumpeter Ray Vega, lead vocalist Jorge Maldonado, background vocalists/coro, Marco Bermudez, and Hector Davila (aka Chegüi Metralla ), and cymbal player Morris “Arnie” Lang. Also, soloists Paul Carlon, Michael Viñas, Wilson “Chembo” Corniel, Joe Stelluti, Anibal Martinez, Guido Gonzalez, Al Acosta, Jessica Valiente, Debra Kreisberg, Mark Mc Gowan, Karl Watson, and Yasuyo Kimura make significant contributions.
TRACKS
- El Chocante
- Chale
- Mami me gusto
- Mambo Boulevard
- Biwa Lake
- Aprende muchacho
- Leeway
- Nueces River
- Aguacero
PERCUSSION Timbale tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, Drumset tracks 7, 8, 9 – Victor Rendón
Tumbadoras/Congas – Wilson “Chembo” Corniel
Shekere and additional percussion – Cascadu
Bongo, cencerro – Yasuyo Kimura
WOODWINDS Flute – Jessica Valiente
Alto Saxophone – Al Acosta, Debra Kreisberg
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Stelluti, Paul Carlon
Baritone Saxophone – Karl Watson
BRASS Trumpet/Flugelhorn – Anibal Martinez, John Replogle, Kathleen Doran
Guido Gonzalez – tracks 3, 6, 7 (solo), 8
Aquiles Navarro – tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Mark McGowan – track 9
Trombones – Rick Faulkner, Leonard Walworth, David Chamberlain, bass trombone – Preston Judd
PIANO Joe Mannozzi
BASS Michael Viñas
GUESTS Jorge Maldonado – Lead vocal on “Mami me gustó” & “Aprende muchacho,” maracas & guiro, Ray Vega – Trumpet solo on “Mambo Boulevard” & “El Chocolate,” Hector Davila aka Chegüi Metralla – Coro on “Mami me gustó” & “Aprende muchacho,”Morris “Arnie” Lang – Cymbals on “Biwa Lake”
ABOUT VICTOR RENDÓN Victor Rendón is a highly respected educator, author, and veteran of the New York City Latin music scene. He studied intensively for many years with Jimmy Ramirez, Dr. Rosemary Small, Louie Bauzo, John Almendra, “Little” Ray Romero, Frankie Malabe, Mike Collazo Sr., Pablo Rosario, Changuito, Roberto Borrell, John Amira, Morris “Arnie” Lang, as well as jazz drummers Paul Guerrero, Henry Okstel, & Charli Persip among others. He has worked as a side man with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O’Farrill, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Ray Santos Orchestra, Grupo Caribe, Latin Jazz Coalition, The “New” Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Grupo Latin Vibe, Los Mas Valientes, Rudy Calzado, and many others.
As an author/transcriber, his work has appeared in Modern Drummer, Percussive Notes, LP Newsletter, Music in Motion Films, DCI Music Video, Drum! Magazine, and Warner Bros. Publications. He is the author of The Art of Playing Timbales distributed by Alfred Publishing. For several years Victor also published his own semi-annual magazine, Latin Percussionist. Rendón, who holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas and a Masters degree in education from Hunter College, in the New York City Public Schools. A successful clinician, he conducts workshops in Latin percussion styles. Mr. Rendón is an LP, Sabian, Vic Firth, and Evans performing artist and educator.
PRESS INQUIRIES CONTACT: VICTOR RENDÓN, BRONX CONEXION MUSIC ENTERPRISES
- PHONE: 718-441-3649 CELL: 718-791-7148
- EMAIL: vicrendon@msn.com bronxconexion@gmail.com
- WEBSITE: http://www.bronxconexion.com
- FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/victorrendon.bronxconexion
MAMBO BOULEVARD WILL BE AVAILABLE ON ALL PLATFORMS APRIL 16, 2021. HARD COPIES: https://cdbaby.com/ AND https://bronxconexion.com.
