Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, director, and producer Jose “Furito” Rios is arguably best known for fusing Afro-Caribbean rhythms with North American jazz standards. Lesser known is Rios’s long-standing advocacy for Puerto Rican music, art and culture and his significant contributions to the advancement of jazz on the island.
Inspired by the legacies of saxophonist Charlie Rodrigues, pianist Ray Coen, trumpeters Juancito Torres and Mario Ortiz, saxophonist Jesús Caunedo, the San Juan Juan Workshop, and the Don Pedro Workshop, Rios created, produced and directed the “Festival De Jazz Boriquén.” Between 2001 and 2004, Rios presented Papo Vazquez, Henry Cole, Giovanni Hidalgo, Angel David Mattos, Jerry Gonzalez, Pedro Guzman, William Cepeda, Ricky Rodriguez, William Cepeda, Jane Bunnett, Brenda Hopkins, Paoli Mejias, Eddie Gomez, Carli Muñoz, John Benitez, and Hilton Ruiz, among others. Also, in 2009, Rios directed a series of concerts titled “Jazzeando En La Plaza,” which brought together various musicians from Puerto Rico and presented live jazz in public spaces free of charge.
In 2022, Rios released “Festival de Jazz Boriquén” Volumes 1- 4, with liner notes by Jaime Torres. Aside from the historic lineups and expansive repertoire, “Festival de Jazz Boriquén” allows listeners the rare opportunity of experiencing history in the making. “Festival de Jazz Boriquén” is a seminal recording and a cultural treasure deserving broader recognition. Highly recommended!
TRACKS
VOLUME 1 – Cante Condo, Obsesión, One by One, Mr. PC, Ugetzu, Talita Cumi, Moment’s Notice.
VOLUME 2 – ETA, Equinox, To My Country, Ping-Pong, Vals de las Flores, Space Invaders, Some Day Will Come.
VOLUME 3 – Seis con Décima, Energy, My Love, Mrs. BC, This is For Albert, Little Sunflower, Décima en Blues,
VOLUME 4 – Las Comadrejas, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Peace, Baby Boy, Resolution, Que Te Pedi.
THE MUSICIANS
Tomas, just got the 4 CD set – the music is great but for me the liner notes are confusing and hard to tell which musicians play on which songs.
I spoke with Furito. Regrettably, the liner notes contain errors and omissions that cannot be changed.