La Malanga
Que Son Uno
Inquietacao
Alafia
Ten Cuidado
La Palomilla
Al Fin Te VI
Mi Lindo Son
A Las Sies
Bailadores
Owl DiBlassio - Congas, Percussion, Sonero
Brian DiBlassio - Piano, Coro
Kurt Krahnke - Bass
Cary Kocher Vibes, Percussion, Coro
Pete Siers - Leader, Timbales, Percussion, Drums, Coro
Get ready to dance to this joyous and free-wheeling performance from Los Gatos, Ann Arbor’s beloved Latin Jazz band! From the first note of La Malanga to the final shimmering chord of Barquillero, savor the musical energy of mambos, cha-chas, and danzons played with skill and love. Know that you are in the land of fun, the mood of movement and the province of passion. Right on!
Los Gatos has been creating incredible musical experiences since 1998; one can hear in the music their 20 years of fun and
camaraderie. Los Gatos is a first-class quintet, due in no small part to their attention to the fine details of every performance and their desire to maintain the highest of musical standards.
Owl DiBlassio’s (congero/sonero) lead vocals are honest and effortless; his tenor voice is unique – no copycat, here. Cary Kocher fluently expounds upon the Cal Tjader vibraphone lexicon; Cary also brings his own breath-taking improvisations to the festivities. Pianist Brian DiBlassio displays his expert proficiency and understanding of montuno patterns, syncopating them in his own style, to shape and lift the music. Kurt Krahnke channels the legendary Cuban bassist Cachao as he rocks the bottom of the band with
a Detroit-centric vibe. Leader Pete Siers is a genuine master timbalero. Although he was born in Saginaw, Michigan, Pete sounds as if he came from Havana, Cuba! His amazing natural feel and sound come from his life-long study and love of this music.
Guarachéate! was recorded at The University of Michigan’s state-of-the-art studio in The Duderstadt Center with Jeff Gazdacko and mastered by the esteemed, Grammy-winning engineer Paul Blakemore. With a splendid audio balance, new and intriguing discoveries are made with each listening. The program draws you in and puts you front and center – smack-dab in the middle of this energetic band. This disc is perfectly paced, just as one of Los Gatos’ exciting live shows. The hot tempo boogaloo
La Malanga leads perfectly in to the cha-cha groove of Que Son Uno, followed by the elegant, delicate, and romantic bolero/
bossa nova Inquietação. An Ary Barrosa gem, Inquietação was arranged in the 1970s by Michigan native Clare Fischer and
transcribed for this project by Brian DiBlassio, giving this Brazilian standout some local street cred.
Guarachéate! is classic Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz created and presented with expertise, care and verve by five wonderful
musicians named Los Gatos.
- Linda Yohn, WEMU 89.1 FM Music Director, 1987-2017
Owl DiBlassio – congas,
percusion y vocales; Brian DiBlassio –
piano; Kurt Krahnke – bajo; Cary Kocher –
vibrafono; Pete Siers – lider, timbales y bateria