Harvie Swartz Havana Manana CD

Inspired by a recent trip to Cuba, bassist Swartz has immersed himself in island rhythms, and has come up with his own take on "jazz...Latin" with the band he dubs Eye Contact. It's a fusion of more contemporary sounds, featuring the Carlos Santana-ish guitar of Bruce Arnold and the violin and piano work of standout Gregor Huebner. Drummer Ed Uribe and percussionist Memo Acevedo are excellent choices as steady pulse-pushers, and trombonist Barry Olsen shows up on two of the 11 cuts. Afro-Cuban music works best when it is more subtle and less obvious or derivative; this notion is evidenced on several tracks. "Cubalypso" has an unusual, lilting melody (played by Arnold's steel drum-assimilated guitar) and some nice violin-percussion interplay. Swartz's slow, sexy ostinato basslines set the tone for the gorgeous "Bass Guajira." On "Nuyorican Nights," a Puerto Rican bomba rhythm complements Arnold's solid, melodic phrases. There are two descarga/jams -- "Mi Soncito," written by Isabel Valdes, features Arnold in a Wes Montgomery/Grant Green-like chordal traipse, while "Y2K" has Olsen and Arnold going at it like light heavyweights. The session holds much promise for the future, but Swartz needs to stick to this format for a little longer, and Arnold must shake the specter of Santana. Nevertheless, a very worthwhile effort. ~ Michael G. Nastos

This Celebrated Master of the Jazz Bass enters the Afro-Cuban realm. Any jazz fan will tell you that Harvie Swartz is one of the great bass players on the scene today. He has played and recorded with Mike Stern, John Scofield, Kenny Barron, Gil Evans, Mike Brecker, Chick Corea, John Abercrombie, Juan Carlos Formell, Stan Getz, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Horatio "El Negro" Hernandez and many others. His duet recordings with singer Sheila Jordan are legendary. Harvie has always sought new sounds and directions for his music. After deep study of Afro-Cuban and Latin genres, including trips to Cuba and sessions with local masters, he formed Eye Contact. The group has already toured to enthusiastic response on the East Coast. With this release of their first CD, they will appear at Festivals and Clubs across the entire country as well as abroad. This new sound will turn the world of jazz and Latin jazz on its ear.

Recorded at Sorcerer Sound, New York, New York in February 1999. Includes liner notes by Harvie Swartz and Jimmy Durchslag.

Personnel: Barry Olsen (trombone); Ed Uribe (drums, percussion); Memo Acevedo (congas, bongos, guiro, percussion); Harvie Swartz (claves).

Recording information: Sorcerer SOund, New York, NY (02/1999).

Unknown Contributor Roles: Gregor Hubnor; Bruce Arnold.

Personnel: Harvie Swartz (bass, claves); Barry Olsen (trombone); Gregor Huebner (violin, piano); Bruce Arnold (guitar); Ed Uribe (drums, percussion); Memo Acevedo (congas, bongos, guiro, percussion).