Smith & Co

From Cuban and Puerto Rican roots, the signature rhythms of what is now generally termed Afro-Cuban music pulsed out of New York City's 'Spanish Harlem' in the late 1940s/early '50s:  an inspiration for innovative jazz musicians of the era, soon becoming an essential repertoire ingredient of international dance bands and a pervading influence on composers, arrangers and producers in the pop mainstream.

The principal originators of this breakout all performed in The Netherlands and Belgium during the late 1970s/early '80s, where they were privately recorded for posterity.  Smith&Co now presents the first official CD releases of these historic recordings.

The series is launched appropriately with concerts featuring three of the biggest names of the genre:  composer/bandleader & "King of the timbales"  TITO PUENTE; composer/bandleader & "King of the congas" MONGO SANTAMARIA; vocal diva & "Queen of Salsa" CELIA CRUZ (who was already a star in her native Cuba in the '50s before settling in the USA).

Recorded at the Brussels Jazz Club on 28th May 1979, this volume showcases Tito leading just a rhythm quintet of Latin musicians joined by Belgium's own legendary jazzman - guitarist, harmonica virtuoso & whistler extraordinaire - Toots Thielemans.  Given the venue, featured guest and repertoire (including Toots' renowned standard "Bluesette") this is most appropriately marketed as a Jazz release.

Accompanying volumes:
SCCD2476:  MONGO SANTAMARIA LIVE IN THE NETHERLANDS
SCCD2479:  THE TITO PUENTE BIG BAND & CELIA CRUZ LIVE IN AMSTERDAM

1    Bernies Tune
2    Sal's Feature
3    Cuban Fantasy
4    Ya No me Quieres
5    Picadillo
6    Bluesette
7    Straight no Chaser
8    My Funny Valentine
9    El Rey Del Timbal