Bob Marley inna Latin Vibration
CURRENT STATE OF THE PROJECT:
It's Bob Marley's music set to
brilliant Afro-Cuban arrangements, played by a 10 piece band. At the center of
this creative endeavor is its brain-soul-child, pianist/arranger Matt Jenson and
timbalero Joaquin José Claussell. Jenson met Claussell while studying with Eddie
Palmieri at a Latin jazz camp, and the two developed a friendship that evolved
into the formation of the group. Mr. Claussell has been Palmieri's timbale player
for some 15 years now. José and Matt are two inspired musicians who have
naturally come together because of a calling to play deep, soul nourishing music
and a genuine concern for the well being of the planet and the people who live
on it. They take seriously the Jamaican/Rastafarian saying, "ONE?LOVE" and
know well that this supercharged music is much more than just music because it
has the power to raise consciousness and transform lives.
Says Jenson, "This is not some cute bubble gum nostalgic gimmick. It's taking to
heart Marley's intention to fight down ignorance, greed and fear, to speak the
truth and to free the people with music! It's bringing forward the transcendent
Afro-Caribbean message born out of our African ancestry and the subsequent
struggle to live in peace and unity. Rebel Tumbao is a groove and feeling that
emanates from the core of Mother Earth, the earth that we now so desperately
need to take care of, and then shoots upward bypassing all the foibles of
mankind delivering us to the joyous heights of of what ultimately we are all
working towards......................................... TRUE FREEDOM, enlightenment."
Says Jenson about Claussell, "His intensity and humility are a combination that is
totally enticing. He's a timbalero who uses space and really speaks on his
instrument."
José Claussell puts it this way, "We're talking about a great artist (Marley), and to
do something that's quasi, that doesn't come from the soul, would be sacrilege.
We have great music, and Matt created these arrangements through a spiritual
muse and this spiritual connection between the band members and the
audience, that's what transpires on stage." When asked what his musical
philosophy is, he will tell you with complete focus, "If you ain't saying
something, you ain't playing nothing!"
Rebel Tumbao, based in New York City, is a multi-cultural group consisting of
10 outstanding musicians/singers including the traditional Afro-Cuban rhythm
section of congas, timbales and bongo/hand percussion, then add two
trombones, 2 back up singers, piano and bass. The lead vocal chair is occupied
by the inspired powerhouse vocalist, Toussaint Yeshua, son of a Baptist
preacher and devoted gospel and soul singer. He's worked with Wyclef Jean,
Damien Marley and now sings with Soulive and delivers THE MESSAGE like no
other.
Their ever growing repertoire now includes: Rebel Music, Is This Love, Stir It Up
(these 3 are included as a demo with this package), Turn Your Lights Down Low,
Sun Is Shining, Natural Mystic, Them Belly Full, Revolution and 2 of Matt's
originals, Spare a Nickel, and Must Be Free.
The arrangements remain true to the original Marley/I-Three vocal work, sung
in English, and then add inspired coro/soneo sections (in Spanish) with some
kicking mambo's and jazz/blues/rock influenced soloing. Jenson, who teaches a
smash-hit performance studies class on Marley at Berklee College of Music (and
elsewhere) includes some of his ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS in the Rebel Tumbao
set and makes sure to place the group squarely in the early 21st century with
the subtle use of electronic textures and sampling.
Ultimately, this project is all about the merging of the Sun energy of Bob Marley
with the Sun energy of Latin music...SUN ENERGY, yes, Positive Vibration,
enlightened, truthful.
This music is
Listen to it. |
