Global Blend of Afro-Caribbean Rhythms & Jazz
Featuring musicians from Cuba, Venezuela, and Canada, Zapato Negro has rapidly been building a reputation in Vancouver for it’s own blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and jazz.
Knowing it’s not enough to have very talented individuals, Zapato Negro has become a real band through hard work, communication, and weekly rehearsals. An ongoing house gig on Commercial Drive (originally under the name “Machito Square”) enabled them to develop an eclectic and exciting concert repertoire that includes originals, underplayed (or unkown) jazz standards done in clave, and classics of Latin Music reworked, reharmonized or re-rhythmicized in jazz. Word spread quickly – especially among musicians – with full houses most weeks. A featured performance/ clinic at the Vancouver International Drum Festival (October 30, 2005), followed by a sold-out performance at the Cellar Jazz Club (where their demo recording was made) has further established Zapato Negro as Vancouver’s premier Afro-Cuban Jazz ensemble.
Allan Johnston – bassist/composer, Zapato Negro says:
“The idea for Zapato Negro was planted on my first visit to Cuba in 1998. My intention was to seek out Cuban bands and musicians. I was especially interested in checking out Cuba’s most popular band at the time, Charanga Habanera."
As luck would have it a friend of mine from Havana had arranged for a local percussionist named Iván Soto to show me around when I arrived. Iván took me to his rehearsal with the excellent group “P.G.”, where I saw, first-hand, the skill and enthusiasm Iván brings to his congas every night. Iván introduced me to another childhood friend, Gilberto Moreaux – the drummer/timbal player with the band Charanga Habanera. I was immediately struck by Gilberto’s ability to fill out a rock-solid groove with the tastiest time-bending, clave-based drum fills I’d heard in my life. His positive creative energy was a driving force in the band. I watched them perform four or five times in the two weeks I was there; it was always the same energy, whether a gig or rehearsal.
Back in Vancouver, a couple years later, I was playing regularly with pianist André Abreu. André had spent most of his life in Venezuela, learning piano from all directions: classical, folkloric, and… jazz. Though his versatility had enabled him to establish a successful career for himself in Caracas, André decided to come to Canada in 1998, settling in Vancouver.
Iván Soto moved to Vancouver in 2001 and in 2003, Gilberto Moreaux immigrated to Canada – first to Toronto, and then Vancouver. As soon as he arrived, we put the wheels in motion to create a jazz quartet out of our individual talents and experience. Zapato Negro is the result.”
Allan Johnston-Bass/Composer
Bassist /composer Allan Johnston has played with many of Vancouver’s finest Jazz and Latin ensembles, including his own acclaimed septet Grupo Jazz Tumbao, JUNO-Nominee Rumba Calzada, Orquesta La Clave, Orquesta Goma Dura, and many more. He’s also been priveledged to play behind some of the giants of Latin Music, including NY Salsa legend and Fania All-Star Larry Harlow (with Seattle’s Nueva Era), Grammy winner Lalo Rodriguez (with La Clave), and Cuban piano wizard Ernán Lopez-Nussa, and has opened shows for Orquesta Aragón, Eliades Ochoa, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, “Maraca”, and Arturo Sandoval. For over two decades he has studied Latin Music in it’s places of origin, including Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York City.
André Carrasquero – Piano/ Composer
Pianist/ Composer André Abreu has spent many years teaching and touring throughout Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, France, United States and Canada. Though born in Montreal he was raised in Caracas, where he began a career as a jazz and studio musician in 1983. This eventually led him to become a successful producer of CD’s and music for documentary films. While still in Venezuela, his CD “Todo Brasil” was recognized as best independent production of 1994 by “Premio Casa del Artista.” Since returning to Canada in 1998, he has become active on the local music scene
.Gilberto Moreaux – Drums
“Gilbertónn” is one of Cuba’s foremost drummer/ timbaleros. A master in all styles, he is known internationally for the “funk-in-clave” style of Afro-Cuban 'Salsa' known as Timba. He has been a featured member of many of Cuba’s most popular groups, including Bamboleo, Charanga Habanera, and Charanga Forever. Gilberto has now settled down in Vancouver, quickly making a name for himself locally – especially among drummers. Sponsored by Taye Drums, he was featured clinician at the 2005 Vancouver International Drum Festival.
Jack Duncan – Congas
"Jakito" is one of the most accomplished percussonists in Canada. Music has taken Jack around the world, including first-hand study with master drummers in countries such as Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Cuba and Colombia. He has produced, composed, recorded, and toured internationally with groups such as Chicago, Spirit of the West, Hugh Fraser's V.E.J.I, John Korsud's Hard Rubber Orchestra and Sekoya. In addition, he is the leader of the Afro-Cuban ensembles Shango Ashé, and "Tambor Iroko." His awards include a JUNO for his work on Alpha 'Yaya' Diallo's album, The Messenger. His credits for film and television soundtracks include Ratatouille, The L Word, The Sentinel, and as a consultant on Santeria for Saved.
Migeulito Valdes – Trumpet
Miguel Angel Valdes de la Hoz (Miguelito Valdes), was born in Havana, Cuba on Sep 3, 1974. He began studying music when he was 11 years old at the Elementary School of Music "Paulita Concepcion", and continued at the Provincial School of Music "Amadeo Roldan". In 1992 he did his first professional trumpet work with the group "Jelengue". Since then, he has played with many of Cuba's top performers, including the Cabaret Tropicana Orquestra, Giraldo Piloto & Klimax, Pablo Milanes, Issac Delgado, Haila Mompie, and Mayito Rivera (from Los Van Van), and has participated in award-winning recordings such as "La rumba Soy Yo", which won a Latin Grammy in 2001. In 2000, he began playing with Omara Portuondo (of Buena Vista Social Club fame) with whom he traveled around the world for 6 years. He has also played with important musicians abroad, including Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, and many others. Since making Vancouver his home, he's become very busy on the local Latin Music scene. |
