Joe’s Tango
Navona, 2023
8/10
The work of Chick Corea, Hugh Montenegro and Jorge Machain are fleshed out by the UNLV Wind Orchestra, Joseph Alessi and Boston Brass for this classical, rhythmic and rich body of work.
Montenegro’s “Fanfare For The New” opens the listen with the UNLV Wind Orchestra’s booming presence making for giant swells of winds, brass and drumming that’s highly animated, and Corea’s “Concerto For Trombone” follows with Alessia’s adaptable and soulful trombone leading us through 4 chapters of precise, sometimes intimate, other times frisky instrumentation.
The last two pieces belong to Machain, where the dreamy and radiant “Her Name Is Nessa” unfolds with much beauty and charm, while “Five Cities” recruits the Boston Brass quintet, i.e. José Sibaja, and Jeff Conner’s trumpet, Chris Castellanos’ horn, Domingo Pagliuca’s trombone and William Russell’s tuba for the powerful, exciting song craft that’s cautious yet exploratory.
An exciting and textured display of 21st century work, Corea’s selection is a world premiere, and the others are equally well executed and timeless.
Travels well with: Our Stories; Vincent Ho- Sandman’s Castle