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Who is Michel Camilo (b. 1954)?
Fascinated with music since his childhood, pianist and composer Michel Camilo, (April 4, 1954, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), composed his first song at the age of five and continued studying until the age of 16 when he became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic.
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Trying to expand his musical horizons, he moved to New York in 1979, where he continued his studies at the prestigious Mannes and Juilliard schools. It didn’t take long for the first hits to arrive and his composition titled Why Not? It was used by the alto sax master, Paquito D’Rivera for the title of one of his albums.
Michel Camilo obtained his first great success in a concert held in 1985 in the majestic setting of Carnegie Hall in New York with his trio. Since then, the successes followed one another and the tours took him to the five continents, establishing himself as one of the great figures of the so-called “Latin Jazz.”
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In December 1987, he began his work as director and arranger of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, within which he managed to win an Emy award for his interpretation of great classical authors. In November 1988 he signed with one of the major record labels such as Sony, where he released his first album generically titled: “Michel Camilo.” The album became an immediate success and spent ten consecutive weeks as the best-selling jazz album in North America.
The nineties provided Michel Camilo with the definitive boost in his career, establishing himself as one of the great contemporary jazz musicians. In 1992, the Dominican government named him “Knight of the heraldic order of Christopher Columbus”, the most prestigious civil decoration in his country; In 1993 his album “Rendezvous” achieved extraordinary success; In 1996 he crossed the pond and performed in Copenhagen as part of a festival organized to celebrate that city’s European capital status. That same year, he visited Israel, Spain, and Switzerland where he performed at the prestigious Zurich Concert Hall. In 1998 he was hired as artistic director of the First Latin and Caribbean Festival held at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Cultural Center in New York. The following year he performed in Cleveland with the Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdés.
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At the end of the second millennium, the Verve label released a beautiful album in Spain in collaboration with the flamenco guitarist, Tomatito. The album titled “Spain” won the contest for best Latin jazz album. In 2001, Camilo appeared as a prominent protagonist in the film directed by Fernando Trueba, titled: “Calle 54”, one of the best cinematographic tributes to the history and culture of Latin jazz, of which Trueba is a confessed admirer. In 2002 he signed with the prestigious “Telarc” label and recorded the album titled “Triangulo” with guitarist Anthony Jackson and drummer, Horacio “El Negro”. Michel Camilo continues with intense activity in the world of Latin jazz and his albums are especially awaited by his many admirers.
Mambo Inn (from the album “Explosion” by Paquito D´Rivera)
Written By Bobby Woodlen, Grace Sampson, Mario Bauzá.
Personnel accompanning Paquito D´Rivera: Michel Camilo (p); Claudio Roditi (tp & tb); Howard Levy (drm); Daniel Freiberg (tc); Sergio Brandao y Lincoln Goines (be); Steve Gadd (dm); Isidro Bobadillo & Portinho (perc); Sammy Figueroa (cg);
Recording Date: 1985. July.
Recording Location: New York.
Record Label: CBS.
Style: Fusion, Latin jazz.
Year of Edition: 1986.
Paquito D’Rivera takes two directions on “Explosion”, on the one hand continuing his vigorous explorations of Latin American music and attempting arrangements for a small string section. On the other hand, in a tribute to his island roots, Paquito beautifully plays a vibrant rendition of Mario Bauzá’s “Mambo Inn,” and all the registers of his alto sax are perfectly integrated from beginning to end.
Furthermore, as if the brilliant rhythmic exercise of Paquito D’Rivera on alto sax were not enough, the recording thanks the wonderful stimulating, dynamic work and entertaining Latin rhythms offered by the Cuban saxophonist’s accompanists: Claudio Roditi on trombone, Steve Gadd on drums, and the impressive piano of Michel Camilo. Very good recording of this emblematic Cuban musician.
