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.
