MJR Latin Project
Tampa, Florida, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2021 | SELF
Music
Press
Intimate thought provoking jazz Mauricio J Rodriguez Project – LUZ: This is my first exposure to bassist Mauricio’s excellent music, but I fully anticipate hearing much more from him in the coming months and years… one keyword describes his playing best – LUSH. His album provides intimate thought provoking jazz that you will enjoy over and over again… to get an up-close look at his amazing bass work. - Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
A major composer and bassist, Mauricio J. Rodriguez has spent important periods living and playing music in Cuba, Venezuela and (since 2001) the United States. For his latest recording, Luz, Rodriguez is heard on six-string E-bass, his fretless E-bass and the standard string bass, contributing four of the ten selections, and arranging all of the music. In addition to his originals, the ensemble also performs four songs by the Venezuelan composer Vicente Viloria (who is the project’s co-producer) and two standards. The results invigorate Latin jazz with lighter-than-expected ensembles, subtle but virtuosic solos, and new rich melodies.
Luz is filled with memorable themes and contrasting moods, giving listeners strong examples of Mauricio J. Rodriguez’s talents as both a bassist and an arranger-composer. It expands the world of Latin jazz - Bass Magazine
In their high praise write up on Mauricio J. Rodriguez’s long awaited, sonically intricate yet stylistically expansive debut Luz, Bass Magazine goes so far as to say that the veteran multi-bassist (Six Strings E Bass, Fretless E Bass, Double Bass) “reinvents” Latin jazz. He is certainly exploratory and joyfully diverse, creating a spirited adventure that rolls from the smoky and elegant opener “Casualty” (featuring saxophonist Jorge Pinelo) through the exuberant, densely percussive jam blessed with the piano fire of Gabriel M. Hernandez Cardenas. - Jonathan Widran
Discography
Album "Luz"
Released July 9, 2021
About:
"Luz" is the album that better characterized the musical direction of MJR Latin Project. Assuming a different approach to Latin Jazz, its freshness and versatility combine the richness of Latin music, its roots, and rhythmic complexity with a more cosmopolitan sound, where Jazz and Classical converged to please the most demanding listeners.
It is only possible thanks to the excellent musical quality of the musicians that constitute this band.
"Luz" is MJR Latin Project and MJR Latin Project is "Luz"
Photos
Bio
The Tampa Bay-based Latin jazz ensemble is one of the best Latin jazz bands in Florida, USA. Mauricio J Rodriguez, a well-known Cuban bass player and composer, created this band to release his album Luz at the 2021 St Petersburg Latin Jazz Festival in July 2021.
The Mauricio J. Rodriguez (MJR) Latin Project is composed of some of the finest musicians in the area: a Grammy winning saxophonist, Zach Bornheimer; trumpeter Richie Viruét; pianist John W. Richardson; drummer Andy Fornet (former drummer for Orquesta Revé and Charanga Habanera, Cuba); and conguero and percussionist Sergio Gala. This band revives the Latin jazz scene with original compositions pleasing the most demanding spectators with its intricate fusion of Latin rhythms and momentary flashbacks to the Latin greats of musical history. The richness of the Latin flavor and modern compositional elements create a complex Latin rhythmical approach.
Due to favorable press reviews for the album Luz, its creator, MJR, wants to remain faithful to the band's musical artistry. The national and international acceptance that this recording has obtained is a motivating element for the musicians that comprise the Tampa-based Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Band Members
Links
