Joe Gallardo turns 85 this weekend - let's celebrate with this special 2 CD Package

Tunes from a master of Latin Jazz: JOE GALLARDO

• SWR Big Band featuring JOE GALLARDO - It Is What It Is
  

Tromboist Joe Gallardo is celebrating his 85th birthday in 2024. In the world of Latin Music, his euphonious contributions have readily let him become a legend in his own time. He could be heard inter alia in the bands led by Stan Kenton, Mel Lewis and Kai Winding, had a curious brief interim occupying the piano bench in Chet Baker’s formation, and the Mongo Santamaria album “Amenecer” that contained the title piece written by Gallardo won a Grammy in 1974 as “Best Latin Recording of the Year”. Since 1991 he starred for more than 15 years as first trombone with the NDR Bigband.

The NDR Bigband dedicated a retirement send-off to him with an array of his own Latin Jazz compositions in widescreen sound: “Latin Jazz Latino” from 2005 evolved into a benchmark for the big-band genre and became one of the most successful programs this orchestra ever had. With the album being presented here, “It is what it is”  Joe Gallardo is now taking up this format again with a rousingly inspired late work on which the credit for all the arrangements and a large majority of the compositions goes to him. He refers first and foremost to the grand Latino orchestras from the 1950s and ’60s, and offers superior renditions of the entire range exhibited by Latin American Jazz.

It Is What it Is:  

Listen here

NDR Bigband feat. JOE GALLARDO - Latin Jazz Latino 

Listen here

Special package with 2 CDs