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Dafnis Prieto
“Si o Si Quartet Live at the Jazz Standard”
www.dafnisprieto.com

The past few months have proved to be rich in amazing new music from some of my favorite artists and you can count this release near the top of that pile. Dafnis is a force of nature. After moving to NYC 10 years ago (having graduating from the School of Fine Arts in Havana), Dafnis took the scene in NYC by storm. Well educated in Classical, Jazz and Cuban music (as well as being a talented educator and wonderful composer) it was not long before Dafnis was at the top of everyones list and making waves with his innovative drumming and masterful command of rhythm, harmony and texture. Truly a master of two of the most complicated of forms of music.. Cuban-Jazz.

This 4th release from Dafnis (first live release) proves an astounding feat of musicality and pure ability by everyone involved. Featuring Manuel Valera on Piano (Cuban born pianist of the highest caliber), Charles Flores on bass (one of my favorite latin-jazz bassists of all time) and Peter Apfelbaum (equally amazing horn player). This quartet navigates some of the most interesting and complex compositions and arrangements I’ve heard in quite some time.

This music is deep.. rich and complex and to hear such a world class quartet navigating this music live is an experience not to be forgotten.