Jane Bunnett's Spirits of Havana
BY LARS BJORN
It
was delightful to hear Jane Bunnett and her Spirits of Havana
again at the Bird of Paradise on March 15. The soprano saxophonist/flutist
hires musicians of high quality and plenty of Cuban spirit. This time
she came to town with trumpeter Larry Cramer, pianist Jackie Warren
(from Cleveland), and three Cubanos: bassist Roberto Occhipinti, drummer
Francisco Mela, and congero Luisito Oregboso. Bunnett and Cramer have
written and arranged most of the music, which is an intriguing and personal
version of Afro-Cuban jazz.
"Havana Jane" was the most interesting
soloist, but she did not hog the limelight and gave ample time to everyone
else. She opened up with a wonderful flute solo in the vein of Roland
Kirk, followed by some mellow fluegelhorn by Cramer. Most of the first
set she treated us to her full-toned soprano. Warren provided the required
muscular piano for the occasion, while Oregboso and Mela laid down a
solid but shifting rhythmic groove. Oregboso was also the main vocalist
for the evening.
Unfortunately I had to leave as several members
of the Los Munequitos de Matanzas troupe (in town at Hill) walked into
the Bird to participate in the festivities. I can understand why they
came and why they came back the next day. This was the real stuff!
