Product Description

FAMILY is the debut recording of La Familia Sextet, an outstanding ensemble featuring some of the most seasoned and in-demand players in Latin jazz today. The music was composed and arranged primarily by the group's leader, drummer, percussionist and vocalist Willie Martinez. This recording is an intimate set performed with the passion and spontaneity of a live performance at a favorite jazz venue. Sit back and close your eyes as your cares are washed away by a sound that is fresh and unique--offering up strong, memorable melodies combined with magical improvisation, along with the red-hot rhythms of the New York City/Caribbean experience. This is a special recording that shows what is possible when some of the hardest working artists in Latin jazz come together for the common goal of performing as one. FAMILY is truly a gift delivered with grace, proficiency and excitement!

Track Listing

1. And Make it Snappy
2. Sweet Pecan Pie
3. Mr. Mills
4. A Stroll in the Park
5. Plazos Traicioneros
6. Say Hey Ray!
7. Shades of Magenta
8. Makin’ Walt Run
9. Left to Wonder
10. For the Cuch

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #454790 in Music
• Released on: 2005-10-10
• Number of discs: 1

Review
***Editors Pick: Family is an unexpected treasure... alive with funk, character, style and swing... Highly Recommended --Bruce Polin, Descarga.com, September 12, 2005

About the Artist
Willie Martinez has been a familiar face in New York City’s eclectic music scene for well over twenty years. As well as being a much sought after drummer, percussionist and vocalist. He is also a published arranger and composer. He has imparted his unique vocal and rhythmic styling upon groups performing everything from Gothic Funk at the quintessentially New York rock club CBGB’s to Afro Cuban jazz on the grand stage of the prestigious Carnegie Hall. He has performed and recorded with artists as varied as the classic Cuban arranger, composer, and bandleader Chico O’Farrill, to legendary jazz pianist George Cables, to contemporary Pop divas Jewel, Faith Hill, and Brandy. His performances have been documented on television, video and CD, sharing the stage with a wide variety of artists representing a Who’s Who in the American music industry, including Latin legends Charlie Palmieri, Ray Santos, Paquito D’Rivera, and Arturo Sandoval; jazz greats Frank Wess, Danny Mixon, Benny Powell, Calvin Hill, and Arthur Blythe; and pop veterans Leon Pendarvis, Barry Eastmond, Jerry Barnes, and Ira Siegel. Some of the more recent recordings Mr. Martinez can be heard on are “Back with Sweet Passion”, the most recent recording of flautist Andrea Brachfeld, where he is featured on drums and vocals; on “Pa’lante”, the highly acclaimed Latin jazz CD by Palmetto recording artist, trumpeter Ray Vega; and on “Steppin’ with T.P.”, the latest CD by piano virtuoso Hilton Ruíz. He is also the musical director of percussionist Norman Hedman’s tropical jazz ensemble Tropique, and can be heard on their latest recording “Garden of Forbidden Fruit” on Power Light Records. Mr. Martinez performs regularly with his group La Familia Sextet; an ensemble that features his original compositions and arrangements. The sextet features Willie on drums and vocals, Renato Thoms on congas and percussion, Misha Tsiganov on piano, Jennifer Vincent on bass, Max Schweiger on baritone sax & flute, and J. Walter Hawkes on trombone. This ensemble represents the very best of New York style Latin jazz. The baritone sax and trombone frontline is a unique treatment in this genre, and combined with the infectious rhythm section, smokes to the very last note. Their new recording FAMILY has proven to be a triumphant maiden voyage. It is a perfect example of how the marriage of Afro-Caribbean rhythm and the harmonic structure and improvisational nature of jazz continues to remain fresh, exhilarating and timeless. He resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Aricka and their two children.

Customer Reviews

Everyone loves it!!!
The cuts I've heard are awesome - pianist is first rate - like Bill Evans - the band is incredibly tight - versatile - take a look at the reviews on CD Baby.com - takes Latino Jazz to a new level.

Global sourcing
I heard one song of the CD on SwissGroove radion and was fascinated. As I couldn't buy the CD in Europe, I purchased it from amazon. Music has become a global thing! I like the rythm and the jazzy sound and quality of William Martinez' music, and it's great to have it available now for me and my sons.