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Jazz Caliente: The Special Energy And Integrity Of The Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Pianist and bandleader Oscar Hernández
courtesy of the artist
Pianist and bandleader Oscar Hernández"

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra returns to Seattle's Jazz Alley June 21-24.  It's their 15th anniversary tour, and a celebration of the release of their latest CD Anniversary.

I caught up with bandleader Oscar Hernández by phone, and we talked about his early days as musician and arranger in New York, forming the SHO, and more:

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra was created through "...divine intervention.  It wasn't even my idea,"  says Hernández. 

Producer Aaron Levinson, a huge fan of Latin music, approached him with the concept. "We chose the songs together, I got all the arrangements done, I chose the musicians and went into the studio, we knocked out the record, and then it was left in the can and put on the shelf by Warner Brothers." 

Spanish Harlem Orchestra's 2002 debut release Un Gran Dia En El Barrio
Spanish Harlem Orchestra's 2002 debut release Un Gran Dia En El Barrio

The recording would eventually be released by Ropeadope Records in 2002.  Un Gran Dia En El Barrio was nominated for a Grammy Award.   "Boom!  That gave me the next 15 years of my life," says Hernández.   

The SHO has since racked up more nominations and won two Grammy Awards.

Oscar Hernández came up during the flowering of Latino culture in New York City.  Music was a huge part of that movement, and it was everywhere.

"Music saved my life," Oscar recalls.  "I come from the South Bronx, family of eleven, very poor.  You can't beat the education that I got in the streets, playing with incredible musicians, starting at age 16."

"That was as good as any education you could get at any university.  I played with so many great musicans early on.  Not to mention all the bandleaders, like Ray Barretto, I did six records with him.  That was a school unto itself.  That's a bachelor's degree right there," says Hernández. 

He was also one of the young musicians and arrangers working with Fania Records, home of the Fania All Stars.

Hernández was the co-leader and producer of Ruben Blades' wildly popular band, Seis del Solar.  And Oscar's time as music director for Paul Simon's musical play The Capemanqualifies as his doctorate degree in musical theatre.  That was another facet of his musical life that he's grateful for.  "The whole ride has been pretty amazing," he says.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra's repetoire is based on tradition and musical legacy, yet there's a freshness to their performances and recordings. 

"People always ask me about a new record, 'OK, what's new about it?'   And I always answer with the same phrase: 'Nothing,'" says Hernández.  "I say that kind of in fun and in jest, but there's some truth to it.   I'm not going to re-invent the wheel or bring in something totally out of character to what we are.  Yes, we have new arrangements, we have new songs, we have new interpretations, we have new performances, but the thread that runs through our music is the same throughout every single record.  There's a certain level of integrity, and a certain level of energy, that pays homage to the tradition." 

To that end, the SHO always record live together in the studio.  "You hear the interplay in our recordings.  That's what makes it sound fresh and vital, it has that organic raw energy and power that you want to hear," he explains.

Younger players also bring fresh energy to SHO.  One of the  newest members of the band is flautist and vocalist Jeremy Bosch.  "Jeremy is one of the most talented musicians I've met in my travels through the years, and it's really gratifying to see somebody so young who's got it so together," says Hernández.  "It took me years to be clear on the vision of what the music is, and he's got a pretty clear vision and he's really accomplished as a flautist and vocalist."  Jeremy's talents are well-documented on the new album.

About mentoring the younger musicians in the band, Oscar says,  "I lead more by example, if I have to tell somebody how to play, I'll do it.  But for the band, it's not my agenda, it's OUR agenda.  I come with a clear concept of where the music comes from, the importance  of the history and legacy of it, and how we want to keep that a part of what we do, always.  Obviously, I want to also integrate new things, and be innovative in my own way."  

Oscar thinks starting the SHO Anniversary West Coast tour at Yoshi's last month and continuing atDimitriou's Jazz Alley next week is auspicious. "Those are two of the best clubs in the United States for listening to music," he says.

"We get such a great reaction from people when we play Jazz Alley, not just the patrons, but the staff, too.  And that's worth its weight in gold for me," he continues.  "It's about the experience and what you create and the effect that you have on people with the music.  It's just a special energy that's created and that's why we absolutely love Jazz Alley, and we ask people to come out and see the music live, because there's nothing like it, everybody walks away feeling good."

SHO will also be in Canada for six dates, including both the Victoria and Vancouver jazz festivals, and they'll perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September. 

Listen for a selection from the new Spanish Harlem Orchestra album Anniversary this week on Saturday Jazz Caliente.  I'll also feature music from some of the outstanding musicians who have been in the SHO for a number of years, like trombonist Doug Beavers, vocalist Carlos Cascante, and saxophonist/flautist Mitch Frohman.

Jazz Caliente airs Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.  The show is hosted by Robin Lloyd and produced by KNKX Public Radio.

Originally from Detroit, Robin Lloyd has been presenting jazz, blues and Latin jazz on public radio for nearly 40 years. She's a member of the Jazz Education Network and the Jazz Journalists Association.