It’s a groove thing.

That’s not exactly a shocker when it comes to a new album from Henry Brun & the Latin Playerz. After all, it’s salsa and Latin jazz.

But Brun was going for something more with “In Ritmo We Trust.”

“I wanted to go back to the basics, back to our roots,” said Brun for the group’s 25th anniversary effort.

Such a quest brought Brun to record producer Joe Treviño’s Blue Cat Studio in Southtown, a place known as a Tex-Mex rock ’n’ roll, conjunto and Tejano music crossroads, where the percussionist had done session work but never an entire project.

The recording sessions began in earnest in July.

“I really wanted to go in there and for the band to get to show off its maturity and finesse,” Brun explained.

The result is some silky Latin big-band horn sounds, mysterious intros, gentler grooves (as well as Fania All Stars fire) and jazzier moments, too. Not to mention that legendary “Little Joe” Hernandez makes a guest appearance, singing lead on the romantic ballad “Y.”

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In concert

Who: Henry Brun & the Latin Playerz

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Alamo Beer Co., 202 Lamar St.

Admission: $20-$50 at artssa.org

Henry Brun & the Latin Playerz celebrate Sunday with a CD release party at the beer garden at Alamo Beer Co., 202 Lamar St.

“It’s a monster horn section,” said Treviño, who engineered and mixed the record, about the 14-man group. Of course, Treviño is all about recording live “on the wood.” He felt that had been missing from Brun’s previous efforts.

“We went for some live grooves,” said Treviño, who has worked with Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, Raul Malo, Max Baca & Los TexManiacs, Rita Vidaurri, the West Side Horns, Michael Martin and Juan Tejeda.

But there’s an elegance to the song selection and performances. Brun avoided the hyper, in-your-face cliché approach to salsa.

Brun’s wife, Judi Deleon, sings lead on “Summertime.” Pete Rodriguez sings lead on “Con Mi Ritmo” and “La Pelota.”

“We turned the project around in about five weeks,” Brun said. “I’ve always had a thematic approach but with one I just wanted to present the band where it is today, its sound, its identity. It’s come full circle.”

The record begins with “Amanecer,” a track written by José Gallardo for Ramón Mongo Santamaría, the Cuban-born composer, rumba musician and Afro-Cuban percussionist who wrote the late ’50s standard “Afro Blue.”

Santamaría’s 1963 hit version of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” is essential listening. Gallardo, a member of Santamaría’s band (and before that, the Latinaires with Little Joe) explores the gentler side of the groove on “Amanecer.”

Jazz trumpeter and educator Adrian Ruiz, a former musical director for the Latin Playerz, says Bronx-born Brun’s passion and influences is the unifying thread.

“I branched out into salsa and Latin jazz through Henry,” said Ruiz, who teaches at St. Mary’s University and the University of Texas at San Antonio and leads the Adrian Ruiz Quintet.

KRTU-FM program director JJ Lopez praised the Playerz’s longevity, musical dynamics and Brun’s flair.

“Henry’s a Bronx transplant and brought that kind of (New York) Latin jazz sound,” Lopez said. “He’s a great bandleader, a great entertainer and good businessman.”

Sunday’s ARTS San Antonio outdoor event is purposely down-home. The rustic setting is a far cry from the Latin Playerz’s past gigs at the Empire Theatre.

“Not every fan likes to dress up in a coat and tie and go to the theater,” Brun said. “I wanted to make sure that this one here, celebrating the milestone, was done in the same fashion as in the beginning, just relaxed. People can bring their kids and let ‘em run around and have a great time.”

hsaldana@express-news.net - San Antonio Express News

Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz Orchestra 25th Anniversary
When: Sun., Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. 2015
Phone: 210-226-2891
Email: info@artssa.org
Price: $20-$50
www.artssa.org/henry-brun

Born in the Bronx, raised in Puerto Rico and based out of San Antonio, conga player Henry Brun has spent his life exploring different avenues of the Afro-Latin tradition. On his 25th anniversary album with the Latin Playerz, In Ritmo We Trust, Brun puts it all together with a thrilling command of the clave beat. For his silver anniversary, Brun invited an incredible cast to the party. His usual Playerz, like trumpeter/musical director Rudy Estrada and pianist Travis Davis, show up with bright style and a vibrant tone. Throughout the album, Davis is a monster, trading off between the soul-jazz onda of Horace Silver and the incantational salsa of Eddie Palmieri. But the special guests on the album make the party stand out as one of San Antonio’s best of the year. With Brun churning away in the rhythm section, vibraphonist Joe Caploe, trumpeter Pete Rodríguez, guitarist Joe Reyes and San Anto horn legend Spot Barnett all pitch into the rhythm. Even Tejano legend Little Joe gets in on the bash, purring over the slow-cooked “Y.”

Alamo Brewery
202 Lamar St. East

Tags: Live Music, Staff Pick - San Antonio Current Magazine