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Papo Vazquez
Trombonist, composer and arranger Papo Vázquez has
a 40 + year career spanning Jazz, Latin, AfroCaribbean and classical music and recordings.
Beginnings
Vázquez was born in 1958 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. After spending his early years in
Puerto Rico, he grew up in the heart of North
Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community. He bought
his first trombone from a friend for $5 and joined
the elementary school band.
At the age of 14, an uncle recommended him to a
local salsa band, where he met trumpet player Jimmy
Purvis. Purvis inspired Papo’s lifelong passion for
jazz by giving him two records: J.J. Johnson’s Blue
Trombone and John Coltrane Live at the Village
Vanguard. By 15, Vázquez was performing with local
Latin bands in Philadelphia and accompanying
visiting artists such as Eddie Palmieri. At only
17, he moved to New York and was hired to play for
trumpet player Chocolate Armentero’s. Soon after
began playing and recording with top artists in the
salsa scene like The Fania All-Stars, Ray Barretto,
Willie Colón, Grupo Folklorico Nuyorquino, Eddie
Palmieri, Larry Harlow, and Hector La Voe. Vázquez
also became a key player in New York’s burgeoning
Latin jazz scene of the late 1970’s, performing
with Jerry Gonzalez, Hilton Ruiz, and more. He
began studying with Slide Hampton, eventually
recording and performing for Slide Hampton’s World
of Trombones.
Vázquez went on to perform with jazz luminaries
Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Mel
Lewis, Mario Rivera, Hilton Ruiz and Milton
Cardona, and to tour Europe with the Ray Charles
Orchestra. By the age of 22, Vázquez had traveled
the globe.
He was a founding member of Jerry Gonzalez’ Fort
Apache and Conjunto Libre as well as of Puerto
Rico’s popular Latin fusion band Batacumbele,
performing and recording several albums with the
group from 1981 to 1985. Upon his return to New
York, he joined Tito Puente’s Latin Jazz Ensemble,
traveling with them as principal trombonist, and
toured Europe with Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations
Orchestra.
Leader, Composer, Innovator
Vázquez has always been deeply moved by jazz, and
specifically cites the music of John Coltrane and
J.J. Johnson as having most influenced him. In
addition, his appreciation for and knowledge of the
indigenous music of the Caribbean peoples provides
him with a unique ability to fuse Afro-Caribbean
rhythms, specifically those from Puerto Rico, with
freer melodic and harmonic elements of progressive
jazz.
During
his
time
back
in
Puerto
Rico
with
Batacumbele in the 1980s, he began to experiment
with “bomba jazz,” a mixture of jazz and
traditional Puerto Rican bomba. In 1993 he recorded
his first album as a leader, Breakout. He continued
collaborating with a variety of Latin Jazz artists,
contributing Overtime Mambo to Hilton Ruiz’s
Manhattan Mambo and Contra Viento y Mareo Descarga
Boricua, Vol. 1. In 1999, he released a live
recording featuring a number of important New York
Latin and jazz artists, including bassist Andy
Gonzalez, saxophonists Willie Williams and Michael
Brecker, and drummer Horacio El Negro Hernandez.
The release of Pirates & Troubadours – At the
Point, Vol. 1 was followed next year with At The
Point, Vol. 2. This project evolved into the
Pirates Troubadours, an “Afro- Puerto Rican jazz
band” including musicians such as Roberto Cepeda
from the famous Familia Cepeda from Puerto Rico,
Milton Cardona and Anthony Carrillo on percussion,
John Benitez on bass and Dafnis Prieto on drums,
The group performed at festivals around the world
and released Carnival in San Juan in 2003, followed
by From The Badlands in 2007.
Interest in Vázquez as a composer grew. He was the
first artist to receive a composer’s commission
(Iron Jungle) for the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra,
then a resident orchestra at Jazz at Lincoln
Center. His first classical composition, Palomita –
Afro-Caribbean Suite, which to this date has not
been credited with being the first time Bomba and
Plena were performed with a Chamber Orchestra, was
commissioned by the Bronx Arts Ensemble and
premiered at the Hostos Center for the Arts and
Culture in the Bronx in 2004. In 2007, on a
commission from the Bronx River Arts Center, he
wrote Sube el Rio (River Rising) for his Mighty
Pirate Orchestra for their 20th Anniversary “Bronx
River Sounds” concert.
The same year, through a grant from The Painted
Bride Art Center in Philadelphia, Vázquez was asked
to expand Pirates Troubadours, and was commissioned
to compose new music for a 19-piece, Afro-Puerto
Rican Jazz Orchestra. The 2008 event was recorded
live, resulting in Papo Vázquez Mighty Pirates
Marooned/Aíslado, which received a Grammy
nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album. The Mighty
Pirates Orchestra continues to allow Vázquez the
opportunity to blend multi-faceted compositions and
trombone style with rhythms of Afro Caribbean
origins and jazz. Sometimes joined by folk dancers
that enhance the music, the orchestra has garnered
rave reviews. They are known for Papo’s variations
on traditional themes, and terms like Yuba’ Jazz,
Holande Pirata, Jibaro Waltz, Plena Funk and Mapeye
Jazz are used to help describe his music.
In 2009, Vázquez premiered a composition “Oasis”
with the Bronx Arts Ensemble at its Memorial Day
Concert. It was his seventh year writing for this
concert, held annually in Van Cortland Park in the
Bronx. This work grew into the expanded Oasis
Project, which had its 2010 premiere at the
Pregones Theater in the Bronx with the Pirates
Troubadours performing with the Bronx Arts Ensemble
and Multicultural Music Group. Vázquez has also
shared his compositions with Ruben Blades (Tengan
Fe/Antecedente), Hilton Ruiz (Manhattan Mambo) and
Dave Valentin (Tropic Heat), among others.
His song “Baila Plena” from At The Point, Vol I. is
featured on the soundtrack for Free Enterprise.
Other movie credits include playing on the
soundtracks for The Mambo Kings and Spike Lee’s Mo’
Better Blues.
Selected Honors and Awards
2015 March is Music 2015, @Pregones Theater, J.S.
Bachs Goldberg Variations for Jazz Quartet. Kennedy
Center Iberian Suite, Mighty Pirates Troubadours
March 2015 was invited to lead and direct “The
Presidents Own” US Marine Band Afro Caribbean Jazz
performance, in Washington, DC.
In 2013, was commissioned by Arturo O’Farrill’s
Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and Symphony Space to
compose new music for “Nueva Musica” concert
series, in New York.
In 2011, was presented with a Latino Masters Award
by the Pregones Theater under The National
Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces:
Presenting program.
In 2010, was commissioned by Mr. Wynton Marsalis to
compose a work inspired by Cuban painter Wilfredo
Lam, he conducted and performed with Jazz at
Lincoln Center’s Orchestra on The Jazz and Art
concert.
In 2008, won a Grammy nomination for Best Latin
Jazz Album for Papo Vázquez’ Mighty Pirates 2008
recording Marooned/Aíslado.
In 2007, was commisioned by The Bronx River Arts
Center to compose a new piece titled River Rising
for their 20th anniversary.
Grammy: Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Wayne
Shorter’s Alegria (Verve Records)
Grammy: Bebo Valdez – Bebo de Cuba
Recognized by Los Pleneros de La 21 for his
contributions to Puerto Rican Culture.
New York Times’ list of “Top 10 Undeservedly
Obscure Recordings”
Taller de Jazz Don Pedro in Puerto Rico Award
DownBeat Magazine’s list of “Talent Deserving Wider
Recognition” 1980.
Best Trombone “Latin New York Magazine” 1980, 1979
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_OfJtYq0fs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLr59UPlupI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uiQCFVPYYA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUZsO7OIJY8
Discography
Papo Vazquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours – Spirit
Warrior, Picaro Records, 2015
Papo Vazquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours – Oasis,
Picaro Records, 2012
Papo Vázquez The Mighty Pirates – Marooned/Aislado,
Picaro Records, Grammy Nomination 2008
Papo Vázquez Pirates Troubadours – From The
Badlands, Picaro Records, 2007
El Niño Josele – 2011
Tego Calderon – The Underdog/El Subestimado,
Jiggiri Records, 2006
Shakira & Wyclef Jean – World Soccer Final Theme
(“Bamboo”), 2006
Ray Barretto – Standards Rican-ditioned, Zoho
Music,2006
Los Pleneros de la 21 Para Todos Ustedes,
Smithsonian Folkways, 2005 – Grammy Nomination,
Bebo Valdez – Bebo de Cuba, Calle 54, 2005 –
Grammy, Best Latin Jazz Album
Papo Vázquez Pirates Troubadours – Carnival in San
Juan, Cu-Bop Records, 2003
Wayne Shorter -Alegria, Verve, 2003 – Grammy, Best
Jazz Instrumental Album
Jack Bruce – Shadows In The Air,
Sanctuary Records Group, 2001
Freddie Cole Rio de Janeiro Blues, Telarc
Chico O’Farrill “Carambola” Fantasy
Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues movie soundtrack
Papo Vázquez “Pirates & Troubadours – At the Point
Vol. I” Cubop
Papo Vázquez “Pirates & Troubadours – At the Point
Vol. 2” Cubop
Milton Cardona “Cambucha” American Clave
Arturo O’Farrill “Bloodlines” Fantasy
Chucho Valdes “All Stars Bronx Lebanon New
Directions Project”
RMM “Jammin’ in the Bronx” Papo Vázquez Band,
Chucho Valdes & The Machito Orq RMM
Chart Busters with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lenny White,
Hiram Bullock, Craig Handy, Papo Vázquez, et.al.
Chico O’Farrill “Pure Emotion” Fantasy
Steve Berrios “First World” Fantasy
Descarga Boricua “Descarga Boricua” Tierrazo
Dave Valentin “Tropic Heat” GRP
Juan Luis Guerra 440 “Fogarate” 440
Papo Vázquez “Breakout” Timeless
Ruben Blades “Amor y Control” “Antecedente” &
“Caminando” Sony
Hilton Ruiz “Mannhatan Mambo” Telarc & “Hands on
Percusion”
RMM Tito Puente “Out of this World” Tito Puente
“100th” RMM
Jerry Gonzalez Fort Apache Band “Obatala” “Live in
Berlin” Enja & “Ya Yo Me Cure” American Clave
New York Latin Jazz All Stars “Feliz Navidad”
Bobby Valentin “Presenta al Cano Estremera” –
Bronco Records
Batacumbele “Con Un Poco de Songo” & “En Aquellos
Tiempos” Tierrazo
Ray Barretto “Ricanstruction” Fania
Slide Hampton “World of Trombones” WEST54
Chico O’Farrill “Calle 54”
Fania All Stars “Habana Jam” Fania
Willie Colon & Ruben Blades “Siembra” Fania
Willie Colon & Celia Cruz Fania
Hector La Voe “De Ti Depende” Fania
Mon Rivera “Vuelvo a Vivir” Fania
Credits:
Ponte Duro: The
2010Fania All Stars
Story
2010Reverse Thread
Fania AllStars
Regina Carter
Trombone
Arranger,
Composer
2008Marooned/Aislado
2008Song for Chico
2007Comet Ride
Papo Vazquez
Arturo
O’Farrill
Willie
Williams
Composer,
Primary Artist
Arranger
Cover Art
2007From the Badlands Papo Vazquez Primary Artist
Papo Vazquez
Pirates
2007
Troubadours from
Papo Vazquez Primary Artist
the Badlands
Arranger, Main
2006Come Fly with Me
Dave ValentinPersonnel,
Trombone
Standards Rican2006
ditioned
Ray Barretto
2005Bebo de Cuba
Bebo Valdés
Main Personnel,
Trombone
Trombone
Arranger, Guest
Artist,
2004Ritmo Afro-Cubano
Soloist,
Trombone
Arranger,
Choir/Chorus,
Composer,
Mixing,
Carnival in San
2003
Juan
Papo Vazquez
Percussion,
Primary Artist,
Producer,
Synthesizer,
Trombone,
Vocals
Viva Cubop!, Vol.
20033: More Jazz the
Afro Cuban Way
Primary Artist,
Trombone
Garden Party (The
2002Cool Sound Of The
Grass)
Primary Artist
Calle 54 [Music
2001from the Motion
Trombone
Picture]
2001On the Cha Cha
2001Soho Stories
Primary Artist
Ian Shaw
Trombone
Arranger,
Composer,
At The Point, Vol.
2000
Papo Vazquez Primary Artist,
2
Producer,
Trombone
2000Carambola
Chico
Consultant,
O’Farrill
Trombone
Composer,
2000Future World Funk
Performer,
Primary Artist
Luna Latina: The
Best of Latin
2000
Jazz-The New
Generation
Composer,
Performer,
Primary Artist
New York Latin
2000Jazz Allstars:
Feliz Navidad
New York
Latin Jazz
Allstars
No Categories,
Performer,
Primary Artist
Primary Artist,
2000Vol. 3: Ubiquity
Trombone
Compilation
At the Point, Vol.
Composer,
1999
Papo Vazquez
1
Primary Artist
1999Blood Lines
1999Cambucha
Arturo
O’Farrill
Milton
Cardona
Composer, Guest
Artist,
Trombone
Guest Artist
Choir/Chorus,
Composer,
No Categories,
1999Vol. 2: Ubiquity
Compilation
Percussion,
Performer,
Primary Artist,
Trombone,
Vocals
The Heart of a
1999
Legend
Chico
O’Farrill
Trombone
Composer,
The New
1999
Latinaires, Vol. 2
Performer,
Primary Artist
Choir/Chorus,
Viva Cubop!: Jazz
1999
the Afro-Cuban Way
Performer,
Primary Artist,
Trombone
1998Somos Uno
Descarga
Boricua
Trombone
Fiesta Picante:
1997The Latin Jazz
Trombone
Party Collection
Abrazate: Descarga Descarga
1996
Boricua, Vol. 2
Boricua
Trombone
Composer,
Jammin’ in the
Editing,
Bronx: A Live
1996
Concert Tribute to
Leader,
Performer,
Machito
Primary Artist,
Trombone
1995Chartbusters!
The
Chartbusters
Trombone
Composer,
Percussion,
Primary Artist,
1993Breakout
Papo Vazquez Producer,
Trombone,
Vocals, Vocals
(Background)
1992Manhattan Mambo
Hilton Ruiz
Composer,
Trombone
Trombone,
1990Out of This World Tito Puente
Unknown
Contributor
Role
1987Arawe
Daniel Ponce Trombone
1982Yo Soy Latino
Larry Harlow Trombone
Con Un Poco De
1981
Songo
Batacumbele
1980Asi Soy Yo
Larry Harlow Trombone
1979Feliz Navidad
1979Rican/Struction
Héctor Lavoe
Ray Barretto
Soloist
Main Personnel,
Trombone
Main Personnel,
Trombone
Agogo Bell,
Arranger,
Choir/Chorus,
Oasis
Papo Vazquez Composer, Coro,
Primary Artist,
Producer,
Trombone
Spirit Warrior
Source:
Papo Vazquez Primary Artist
http://www.papovazquez.com/#!bio