North America / USA / Nueva York
One step away from the Latin Grammy. The King of Bass Mr. Bobby Valentin
The Latin Grammy nomination of the experienced Bobby Valentin in the category of Latin jazz with the production “Mind of a Master” is another recognition of honor for his half-century musical career as an arranger and conductor.
“Mind of a Master” is the production with which Bobby Valentín enters the competition on the nineteenth day of the Latin Grammy. (Archive National Foundation for Popular Culture). Bobby, nominated last year in the category of salsa with “My rhythm is good”, is one of the five contenders for the Latin Grammy in the “Best Latin Jazz Album” section.
The other finalists are also Puerto Rican Néstor Torres (“Jazz Flute Traditions”), Adrian Laies (“The house of a jazz pianist”), Dafnis Prieto (“Back To The Sunset”) and Hermeto Pascoal (“Universal Nature”). . In a conversation with this medium, Bobby said that he will immediately capitalize on the nomination to promote the album at international festivals.
“We have sent to several festivals in the United States a report of what the album is and my career. We are waiting for answers. Right now I have a presentation at the Interamericana on Wednesday, October 17, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Music Department and there is a person interested in going to Costa Rica. It’s slow, but I have a lot of faith that little things will continue to appear. Latin jazz is another audience, although I know that many people who like salsa like it”.
The King of the Bass added that he feels as if he has won the precious golden phonograph. “The nomination of what is a salsa album is another style. This is another corner. What I’m saying is that after one is competing, even if you don’t win, the competition is good, as is being nominated among so many productions. For me the competition in Latin jazz is stronger than in salsa”. Bobby presents “Mind Of A Master” alongside The Latin Jazzists, who are mostly the musicians from his salsa orchestra, like Angie Machado and Eliud Cintrón. Bobby isn’t worried about purists arguing that they’re not jazz soloists.
“The musicians are happy. It is a genre that they like. Here they have been more concerned with projecting their styles and expressions”, Bobby reacts. A salsa musician can play jazz. This is how history supports it. Mongo, Puente, Machito, Mario Bauzá, Mario Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, Hilton Ruiz and Jerry González, among others, began in mambo and Afro-Caribbean dance music, prior to their foray into jazz.
“Like Ray Barretto, who was also linked to jazz. Finally, we all look for that corner. The same Néstor Torres, who started with Batacumbele. After one has done so many things in the tropical genre, one seeks satisfaction as a musician by looking for another corner”.
Jazz, however, is not new to Bobby Valentín. “Latín Gravy”, “Codazos”, “Shinny Stockins” and “Maiden Voyage” are several of the works recorded on his salsa albums. “It always caught my attention. When I was in New York, Latin jazz was mambo jazz. Later the name changed, but before it was done for the dancer, although there were solos. It’s no longer for the dancer. Now people sit down to listen to him. It was a good change.”
Bobby has not decided if he will travel to Las Vegas to be present at the awards ceremony, to be held in November. “I still don’t think so. It’s not because I’m going to win or not. To be competing even if I don’t win is reason for joy. I feel very happy. I have no plans yet”.
Next Wednesday the 17th he will perform with The Latin Jazzists at the INTER Metro Jazz Festival. That night he will perform the “Mind Of A Master” sequence. “I feel very happy. This record is like a baby to me. Although we have played tropical music, this is a new baby and that it is nominated for a Latin Grammy makes me feel very happy”.
