Live In Chicago
Desafío Candente, 2024
8/10
A double disc that documents Gustavo Cortiñas’ diverse and esteemed drumming and composing, the tracks here welcome Drew Hansen, Artie Black, Matthew Davis, Joaquín García and Kitt Lyles to the sets captured on December 15th, 2022.
The fluid drumming of “Overture” starts the listen, where Lyles’ frisky upright bass complements Garcia’s gorgeous piano playing on the exciting opener, and “Hanaki” follows with Black’s soulful sax and Cortiñas’ precise drums making for an inviting climate.
Landing at the halfway point, “Arete” builds into an animated delivery thanks to the lively brass, bouncy bass and graceful keys, while “Dialectics Of Freedom” starts the 2nd set with Hansen’s glowing trumpet that’s heartfelt and intimate.
Arriving closer to the end, “The Man Of Flesh And Bone” leads with bass acrobatics before Davis’ touching trombone guides the cautious landscape, and “Pax Britannica” exits with flowing melodies, intricate piano playing, agile drums and an attention to detail that is quite fascinating.
A body of work that has many ties to his Mexican upbringing, Cortiñas and company create timeless, cohesive and worldly jazz songs where the sound quality and execution are both top notch.
Travels well with: Cory Weeds- Home Cookin’; Ulysses Owens Jr. And Generation Y- A New Beat