Cuban pianist and composer Kemuel Roig may be better known in Christian and New Age music circles but the pianist has toured with the renowned Arturo Sandoval for eight years. So, although Genesis is his fifth album, it’s his first jazz album as a leader. He’s tapped quite an impressive array of talent that join him including Randy Brecker, Chris Potter, Ed Calle, Alain Perez, Julio Padron, Joel Hernandez, Milton Sesenton and Mercy Brass. While Genesis is Roig’s first official jazz recording, he has an impressive jazz resume. Over the course of his 18 years in Miami, Roig has established himself as a first-call pianist and arranger whose resume boasts recording sessions and live dates with Al Di Meola, Isaac Delgado, Brian Lynch, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Aymee Nuviola, among others.
Genesis is a highly personal recording for Kemuel Roig, who came to the United States at 12 years old in 2002 from Camaguey, Cuba. The album title is meant to be taken literally, as the album showcases Roig’s Cuban roots and traditions. The album is drawn mostly from Roig’s seven originals, but he also interprets three covers. It is both autobiographical and meant to celebrate the musicians he has met and learned from. As such, both strains of classic jazz and Cuban forms weave through the selections. Tempos and moods vary considerably too.
The album begins with the energetic bebop of Bud Powell’s “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm,” given an Afro- Cuban treatment, featuring Latin GRAMMY-winning tenor saxophonist Ed Calle and the powerful sounds of Mercy Brass. Roig fondly remembers the first time he heard Powell perform this Walter Jurmann tune: “I was fascinated by how Mr. Powell performed this musical jewel, and I was fixated by his phrasing and the shape of his chords in the left hand. I ran to the piano to transcribe it immediately.”
”Genesis 41 (Recurring Dream),” the first of three explicitly Christian songs, creates quite a contrast as Roig paints a spiritual, contemplative landscape. The others are the cinematic “All For You,” Roig’s personal dedication to God featuring orchestrator Milton Sesenton. The orchestral backdrop is a bit jarring at first, so different than the sound of most of the album but it serves as a kind of relaxing interlude that features Roig’s piano, some fine bass work from Lowell Ringel, and explosive percussion at the climax. The closer “The Prayer” features vocalist Joel Hernandez and has some rather surprisingly interesting blues elements before ending as a glorious hymn.
The other originals mostly have a Cuban element of some kind, less so in “Conversation,” one of Roig’s favorite love songs and live staple, which features the distinctive sound of Randy Brecker’s soaring trumpet. “Kendrick (Blessed Child),” on the other hand, is a tender Bolero written almost immediately after the birth of Roig’s son. “Midnight Impromptu” is a dazzling interlude to “Cafe con Leche”, an ode to his native land. Beginning as a Cha-Cha-Cha, this infectious tune develops into a Son with a piano tumbao.
“Pare Cochero” is a direct reference to his Cuban roots as it is universally known by Cubans everywhere. Featuring iconic Cuban trumpeter Julio Padro, singer Alain Perez and again, Mercy Brass, “Pare Cochero” demonstrates the danzon and evolves through son Cubano, a style that comes from a blend of Spanish and African origin to the modern edge of Timba. Roig’s treatment of “Inner Urge” features a burning solo from saxophonist Chris Potter and is performed in an Afro-Cuban 6/8 feel.
Throughout Roig plays elegantly and restrained, much differently than other Cuban pianists such as the great Chucho Valdez, Harold Lopez-Nussa, or the inventive David Virelles. Generally, unlike most Cuban music, it’s not danceable fare but one to admire for its variety, spirituality, Roig’s ever-present sense of melody, and strong guest contributions.
Personnel
Kemuel Roig – Piano, keys. Percussion
Lowell Ringel – Bass
Hlano Bell – Drums, Percussion
Jose “Majito” Aguilera – Percussion
Randy Brecker – Trumpet
Chris Potter – Tenor Sax
Ed Calle – Tenor Sax
Alain Perez – Singer
Julio Pardon – Trumpet
Mercy Brass: Osvalo Fleites (tp), Gerardo Rodriguez (tp),
Bayron Ramos (tb), Roilan Vaquez (ts)
Joel Hernandez – Singer
Miton Sesenton – Arranger and Conductor
