So Jose Aponte is the king of all things Latin here at UNT's School of Music, at least percussion-wise. He leads the two Afro-Cuban Ensembles, the Brazilian ensemble, and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. He doesn't talk much, but when he does, it's either funny or really cool. That's enough background.
Today, at Voertman Hall at 8 pm, there was a concert featuring all three (or four) of Jose's ensembles. They were excellent.
The concert started with Afro-Cuban ensemble. They played a song with the beginners, then kicked them off until their last song (of four). The Advanced ensemble had six or seven players and Jose, and when they played with the new kids they were 14 or 15? It's kinda hard to remember.
I snagged a program so I could find the songs they played and show them to you!
Then Brazilian Ensemble came onstage and played a couple tunes. Brazilian Ensemble has a rhythm section, at least they did at this concert, and my Jazz Singers "teacher" Kathryn sang vocals. Brazilian music has a more obvious beat to dance to than the Afro-Cuban stuff (just listen to the big, boomy surdo), but it's all dance music.
But that last one ^ didn't have full orchestra. Just people playing loudly on drums and rhythm section.
And then the party really started, if it hadn't already started (it had).
Latin Jazz came on stage and totally rocked the house.
Latin Jazz Ensemble is alto, tenor, and bari, 3 trumpets, 2 bones, rhythm section (incl. drum set), congas, bongos, timbales, etc., and Jose, who does whatever the heck he wants to.
I can't find much of the music because most of it was original, but they did cover this song:
It was kinda like that but more brass power. Excellent.
Don't worry if you didn't really get this. Hopefully I'm in one of these ensembles next semester and I'll tell you all about it.
M
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