CD review: Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Viento Y Tiempo – Live at Blue Note Tokyo 2020: Video, CD cover

“One of the greatest musicians in jazz” (NY Times), Havana-born piano genius Gonzalo Rubalcaba returns with music from his new album, Viento y Tiempo, recorded in collaboration with his childhood friend, Cuban vocalist Aymée Nuviola, an artist widely known as “La Sonera del Mundo” (singer of the world).

The pianist has integrated huge swaths of the European classical and jazz traditions, while maintaining bone-deep ties to the rhythmic currents of Cuba. After international tours with the legendary Cuban ensemble Orquesta Aragón and fronting his own band Grupo Proyecto, Rubalcaba quickly gained fame on the American scene through the efforts of famed bassist Charlie Haden, distinguishing himself with his bravura technique and a remarkable level rhythmic advancement. Since his auspicious beginnings, he has risen to become one of the preeminent pianists of his generation, releasing over 30 albums, winning two GRAMMYs and two Latin GRAMMYs.

Winner of the 2018 Latin GRAMMY winner for Best Tropical Fusion Album and 2020 GRAMMY for Best Tropical Latin album, Nuviola began her professional career at age nine, and went on to record with Cuban icons Irakere and NG La Banda, among others. She embraced the dance-inspiring fusion called timba, and was a pioneer in the style, releasing five albums before returning to her roots with A Journey Through Cuban Music, featuring her old friend Rubalcaba.

01.Rumba Callejera (En Vivo) (6:43)
02.El Güararey de Pastora (En Vivo) (5:23)
03.El Manisero (En Vivo) (11:20)
04.El Ciego (En Vivo) (4:39)
05.Rompiendo la Rutina (En Vivo) (10:15)
06.Bemba Colorá (En Vivo) (7:27)
07.Lágrimas Negras (En Vivo) (8:56)
08.Viento y Tiempo (En Vivo) (8:05)

Gonzalo Rubalcaba piano
Aymée Nuviola vocals
Cristobal Verdecia bass
Reinier Guerra drums
Majito Aguilera percussion
Yainer Horta saxophone
Lourdes Nuviola backing vocals
Alfredo Lugo backing vocals