# CD review: Diego Rivera – Connections 2019: Video, CD covers

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/09/15/cd-review-diego-rivera-connections-2019-video-cd-covers/
- Published: 2019-09-15T19:46:46+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Tenor saxophonist Diego Rivera connects all the dots with a wide pallet of colors
on his aptly entitled new release “Connections.” The album’s exciting musical program
features brilliant original compositions and amazing arrangements of contemporary
classics spread over a wide oeuvre of jazz styles. **

Rivera bristles with energized enthusiasm as he confidently demonstrates his stunning
melodic command over his instrument. The bandleader is supported on the recording
by an amazing collection of musicians, including trombonist extraordinaire Michael
Dease, trumpet genius Joe Magnarelli, award-winning saxophonist Lauren Sevian, rookie
sax man Markus Howell, talented newcomers Jocelyn Gould on guitar, pianist Luther
Allison, and bassist Endea Owens, as well as the ever amazing Jason Tiemann on drums.
Connections clearly announces Rivera as an important new voice that deserves attention.
We are excited for our listeners to discover the joyous and wonderful performances
that demonstrate the breadth and depth of Rivera s amazing musical “Connections.”

In a strange way, the best thing about Diego Rivera’s third album, Connections, 
is the extent to which we don’t hear him. Not that there’s anything lacking in what
he does, as his playing is carefully phrased and beautifully nuanced, with a vocalist’s
sense of melodic line. On the occasions when his tenor takes the lead, it speaks
with persuasive confidence, bringing a wealth of sentiment to the jazz waltz “Mother’s
Nature.”

But Rivera doesn’t often take the lead, preferring instead to submerge his sound
in the ensemble, and that definitely works to the album’s advantage. For one thing,
a hard bop tune like “Connections” builds a better head of steam through its harmonized,
three-horn exposition, ensuring that Rivera’s tuneful tenor solo practically explodes
out of the head. Likewise, the intertwined voices on McCoy Tyner’s “Passion Dance”
supercharge the groove, while the Coltrane chestnut “Naima” is expanded into a mini-
big-band chart, with a lightly Latin treatment that makes its familiar refrain feel
refreshingly new.

Rivera’s ensemble approach generously cedes space to other soloists, which in turn
makes the album sound bigger. Trombonist Michael Dease has the top supporting role
here, and is perfectly cast, as his fondness for boppish, double-tongued 16th-notes
makes a great contrast against Rivera’s more measured melodic approach, especially
on soulful, mid-tempo numbers like “Love (Your Spell Is Everywhere).” Trumpeter 
Joe Magnarelli has a wonderfully lyric turn in “Passion Dance,” bassist Endea Owens’
solo on “Shade of the Cedar Tree” maintains command even as the horns offer a harmonized
counterline, and baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian nearly steals the show with 
her boisterous solo on “Naima.”

As the title suggests, this album is ultimately about connections—to mentors, to
fellow players, and to the jazz tradition itself. That Rivera is able to realize
that idea so vividly is more the mark of a leader than any number of solos.

 1.  Connections
 2.  Ties That Bind
 3.  Passion Dance
 4.  Seiko Time
 5.  Love (Your Spell Is Everywhere)
 6.  Nueva York
 7.  Mother’s Nature
 8.  Naima
 9.  O Moderno
 10. Shade Of The Cedar Tree
 11. Changing Directions

**Diego Rivera tenor sax**
 **Michael Dease trombone** **Luther Allison piano** **
Endea Owens bass** **Jason Tiemann drums** **Joe Magnarelli trumpet (1, 3, 4, 6,
8, 10, 11)** **Markus Howell alto sax (8, 10)** **Lauren Sevian baritone sax (8,
10)** **Behn Gillece vibraphone (6, 9)** **Jocelyn Gould guitar (4, 11)**

⌊Image result for diego rivera - connections⌉⌊Image result for diego rivera - connections⌉⌊
Image result for diego rivera - connections⌉⌊Image result for diego rivera - connections⌉

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