CHICO O'FARRILL
Heart of a Legend
Between the rave reviews and the standing ovations, Maestro Chico O'Farrill announces
his upcoming album pronouncing, "Chico is here for a good, long while! I am full of
energy and will be recording my next album before summer." It is this enthusiasm on
the part of 78-year-old Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill, which journalists, throughout
the country, have reported on since the success of his latest CD, Heart of a
Legend, released in October on the Fantasy/Milestone label. This success has
manifested into "Lifetime
Achievement Awards in both New York and Los Angeles, "Best Album of the Year" in
Brazil, and an upcoming documentary based on the extraordinary life and career of Arturo
"Chico" O’Farrill.
Although music experts had proclaimed the certainty of a long overdue Grammy to Chico
O'Farrill, this confidence evaporated on January 4th when his name was not among those
nominated for the Latin Jazz category. This came as a shock to the Latin and Jazz
community considering the critical acclaim of
Heart of a Legend and the considerable accomplishments of this icon.
In a glowing three page article in the Los Angeles Times, renown music critic Don Heckman
states: "…Grammy voters last week chose to overlook Heart of a Legend
in the Latin Jazz category, but O'Farrill in his half-joking style took it with a grain of
salt." With his usual humor, O'Farrill says, "What is important to me is that I
am back! Success is fickle and arrives when you least expect it." Along the same
lines, Pulitzer Prize novelist Oscar Hijuelos compares the omission to "... what
occurred year after year to Argentinean writer Jorge Luis Borges and the Nobel Peace Prize
in Literature."
A full-page insert was placed in Billboard Magazine announcing Heart of a
Legend, "Latin Jazz Album of the Year". While this year's Grammy
nomination became a broken dream, the emphasis has shifted to NARAS's (National
Association of Recording Arts and Sciences) Latin Affiliate LARAS. The LARAS award
ceremony will be held in Los Angeles in September.
The Heart of a Legend tour has been received by standing-room-only audiences
in venues such as Yoshi's in San Francisco and the Conga Room in Los Angeles. "Thirty
years ago I didn't have instant standing ovations." Says O'Farrill regarding his
repertoire of Classic and Popular Latin Jazz., "I am
astounded to see the audience of all ages, including basketball player Kareem Abdul
Jabbar, following each and every note."
As the public forms its long line for the second set at Yoshi's, O'Farrill comments that
his new album will be entitled: "Chico O'Farrill: All the Way".
Additionally he announces that "thankfully I just won a bout with bad health and I
will be writing the music for the Broadway musical, The Mambo Kings."
Chico O'Farrill has made an indelible dent in Latin Jazz history. He is considered
a founder of the genre. His name is eternally linked to its formation through classics
such as "Manteca" made famous by Dizzy Gillespie and through exemplary albums
including Heart of a Legend. Chico is one of the few living legends who has
been actively involved in Latin Jazz for the past 60 years. Through the roller coaster of
fame, the glory and hardships, Chico has always had his life's inspiration, Guadalupe
"Lupe", his wife by his side. Together they brought son, Arturo
(O’Farrill’s musical director and pianist) to the world and have created the
enviable family of musical genius. In this day of "remembering our spirit",
Chico and Lupe can teach much to us.
In the February edition of Jazz Times Magazine an incredible review of Heart
of a Legend is included. As journalists in a press conference reveal this and the
striking list of positive reviews of "El Maestro" Chico O'Farrill, ... he breaks
up the formality by reiterating: "Chico is here for a good,
long while!"
Chico O'Farrill—arranger and conductor
Arturo O'Farrill—piano and music director
Gary Valente, Sam Burtis, Papo Vazquez, Jack Jeffers—trombones
Mike Migliore, Peter Brainin—tenor saxophones
Jimmy Cozier, Marshall McDonald, Bobby Porcelli—alto saxophones
Jim Seeley, Matt Hilgenburg, Roger Ingram, Kenny Rampton, Peter Olstad, David
"Piro" Rodriguez—trumpets
Pablo Calogero—baritone saxophone
Andy Gonzalez, Joe Santiago—basses
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Willie Martinez—drums
Joe Gonzalez—congas
Eddie Bobè—bongos, percussion
Special Guests:
Gato Barbieri—tenor saxophone
Israel "Cachao" Lopez—bass
Ilmar Gavilan—violin
Paquito D'Rivera—alto saxophone, clarinet
Mario Rivera—soprano saxophone
Arturo Sandoval, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros—trumpets
Orlando "Puntilla" Rios—congas, percussion, coros
Candido Camero—congas
Juan Pablo Torres—trombone
David Oquendo—guitar, coros
Freddy Cole, Vivian Ara—lead vocals
Mauricio Smith—flute, clarinet
Carlos "Patato" Valdes—congas, maracas
Song List: Heart of A Legend
1) Guaguasí; 2)
Momentum; 3) La Verde Campiña; 4) Sing Your Blues Away
(For Ñeca); 5) Guaguasí Abstracto; 6) Trumpet Fantasy
(for Wynton); 7) Chico's Cha Cha Cha; 8) Te Quiero; 9)
Manteca; 10) Locos de la Habana; 11) Sin Tu Amor; 12)
Pure Emotion; 13) Fin de Siglo; 14) The Journey
Produced by JORGE ULLA, TODD BARKAN, and ARTURO O'FARRILL for
Bolero Productions
Recorded by Troy Halderson at Clinton Recording Studio, New York City, between December
1998 and June 1999.