Andy Narell

There are certain instruments folks wouldn't ordinarily associate with jazz music, and the steel pans (used in soca and calypso) are on that list. But on Andy Narell's latest disc, Tatoom, the pans are taken to a different level and the jazz tunes that are created here seem abstract at worse, but never out of place. On the album's title song, Narell begins with a mellow vibe — the steel pans stay dormant until the two-minute mark, then slowly drive toward a sonic climax that doesn't subside until the end of the track. Tenor saxophonist David Sanchez joins in on the bossa nova-ish "Tabanca," improvising with arrangements reminiscent of Stan Getz's work with Antonio Carlos Jobim. But on the slow samba tune "Blue Mazooka," Miles Davis alum Mike Stern contributes electric guitar in free form giving the song an East Coast jazz feel. In that sense, Tatoom succeeds in bridging the gap between various musical genres, and the crafty use of the steel pans on every track is a sonic risk that works out well.

Related Content

• Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson's Harmonica-Playing Sidekick, Talks Paul Simon, Phil Lesh, and the Dead
  February 2, 2012
• Christmas Sweater Party at Biergarten, Florida Brewer Tap Takeover at World of Beer, and More Food Events This Week in South Florida
  December 19, 2011
• Broward Judge Tries to Teach Juvenile Delinquents What the Jazz Is All About
  May 26, 2011
• Happy Birthday, Jaco Pastorius!
  December 1, 2011
• Sea in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: Fresh Catch, Feels Like Home
  September 15, 2011

More About

• Andy Narell
• Stan Getz
• Miles Davis
• Mike Stern
• Latin Music

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue