SWR Big Band & Joe Gallardo - It Is What It Is (2024) [Official Digital Download]

Since the beginning of his collaboration with Luis Gasca and Mongo Santamaria, the Texan has always remained closely connected to Latin jazz, the NDR Bigband retired him with a picture sheet of his own Latin jazz compositions in widescreen sound, "Latin Jazz Latino" from 2005 (Skip Records) became a classic of the bigband genre and one of the most successful programs of the orchestra at all.

With the present album "It is what it is", Joe Gallardo is now taking up this format again with a furious old-time work, where he is responsible for all arrangements and a large part of the compositions. The trombonist's arrangements, which are as authentic as they are fiery, are perfectly implemented by the SWR Big Band, which has become one of the outstanding orchestras not only in Germany but in the world over decades, which was also honored with a Grammy Award in 2023. In his arrangements, Joe Gallardo refers above all to the great Latino orchestras of the 50s and 60s and confidently represents the entire range of Latin American jazz music.

In addition to stompers such as "Pan Con Queso", "It is what it is" or "East L.A.", in which Gallardo proves that he is still one of the outstanding trombone soloists, there are also classics such as Ray Noble's "Cherokee" or "Caravan" from the pen of Duke Ellington, to which he breathes new life. Long-standing members of the SWR Big Band such as Klaus Graf, Karl Farrentor Andres Maile prove how confidently they can move in this genre, Matthias Erlewein or Martin Auer stand for the young generation in the orchestra. Klaus-Peter Schöpfer gives the "Carlos Santana" on guitar and the current leader in residence of the SWR Big Band, Magnus Lindgren, contributes a tasteful flute solo. The essential rhythm foundation is provided by the experts Guido Jöris and Rhani Krija as well as Decebal Badila with drums, percussions and bass.

TRACKLIST

1 Pan Con Queso
2 It Is What It Is
3 Joy to the World
4 Cherokee
5 Danzon Azul
6 Mongo
7 To Love Is to Love You
8 Caravan
9 East L.A.



Thanks to the Original customer.