Sambuca is an Italian
aniseed-flavored usually colorless liqueur. In the States a
chain of restaurants is called after this drink. Sambuca
hosts Grammy Award-winning performers and features a unique,
eclectic atmosphere where guests are greeted by live music
and fine food. If you visit the Sambuca Jazz Café in
Atlanta, you have a good chance to attend a concert of
Marea Alta. The band
has been performing for more than 20 years at major Jazz
festivals and cultural events. The group is comprised of
professional musicians with ample experience in studio work
and live presentations in the United States and overseas.
The musical style of Marea Alta is categorized as Latin Pop
Jazz/Smooth Jazz.
Marea Alta's new album Live in
Buckhead was recorded live at Sambuca (Atlanta) on March
3, 2006. Beside the band members J. Santiago Núñez
(keyboards, overall orchestration, musical direction and
percussion), Nick Longo (alto sax), Billy Wilkie (guitar),
associated musicians José Luis De La Cruz (percussion) and
Darrel Dodge (complementary keyboards) special guest, Leo
Quintero performed on this event. Leo is a Venezuelan Jazz
guitar player who lives in Miami, Florida. He has played
with Chick Corea, Arturo Sandoval, David Sanborn, Don Grusin
and many other consummated Jazz musicians.
The starter Cool Jam reveals
the special quality of Marea Alta. Latin flavored percussion
melted into a sultry melody and crowned by Nick Longo's hot
alto sax. This song was selected to be included within a
compilation of musical works of Latin Jazz artists around
the world. This album (Latin Point of View: A PBS FM Jazz
Collection Series, Volume 3) was produced by Saúl Zavarce,
who is a presenter of a very famous radio program under the
name of "Fiesta Jazz" (PBS 106.7 FM in Melbourne Australia).
The entire version can be downloaded from Marea Alta's
website.
Atlanta is a homage to Marea
Alta's base, where the group showcases a prime line of
innovative musical entertainment. Santiago's atmospheric
keyboard lines meet Nick's fierce sax solo.
Marea Alta surprises with the hooking
Credit Card. A melody which immediately finds its way
into my memory. With more than 6 minutes by the way the
longest track of the album.
Arrecife is a city in the Canary
Islands (Spain) situated in the east of the island of
Lanzarote of which it is the capital since 1852. Spend your
holidays on this island and you can imagine the ease of this
song featuring Santiago's lovely pan flute sound.
Monte Carlo, capitol of Monaco,
is known for its casinos, gambling, glamour, and for
sightings of famous people. Billy Wilkie and Nick Longo are
impressing with speedy interpretations.
Peligroso is a typical song
taken from the album Chumar (1999). One can classify
that song as Pop music with Latin influence. "It's based on
popular melodic arrangements that people can relate to,"
comments J. Santiago Núñez. "I use the Brazilian flavor and
approach to music as a frame of reference to create my own
musical product."
Wonderful sun downs,
breathtaking surfing, long-distance walking in the sand and
more, that's Mexico Beach. Nick Longo 's sax solo is
like the pleasure on beach in the heated shimmering air.
St. Pete is the short name of
St. Petersburg, Florida, one of most active cities in
Florida with an exuberant municipal live. When the pulse
count rises you know you there in Tampa bay. Marea Alta
captures this lively atmosphere in vivid music.
Montage is a word which is used
in the same way in the English, German and Spanish language.
International like the music of Marea Alta.
In Marea Alta's music one often finds
theme about beach, sun and sea. A good example is
Seabreeze,
a song in the stomping Samba style, this time delivered by
the bass.
I don't know what happened on
November 25th. Anyway a great up-tempo song
with an uplifting melody keeping you in a good mood.
Mahi-Mahi is a
Hawaiian word that means "strong-strong" for dolphin fish.
This species is found in tropical and subtropical waters
throughout the world. A dynamic modern tune lively like this
tropical fish. Nick Longo's lead sax plays a dominant role.
Dodge City is a pure definition of the West, a
gateway to history that began with the opening of the Santa
Fe Trail. Wild like life in the Wild West appears this song.
If you come to Atlanta don't miss Marea
Alta's performance. Meanwhile listen to their new album to
capture a bit of their show.
