Miguel Zenon's Puerto Rican Songbook: Newport Jazz 2011

GBH | By Patrick Jarenwattananon

Published August 8, 2011 at 9:22 AM EDT

Miguel Zenón performs with his Puerto Rican Songbook group, including Luis Perdomo on piano (left), on the Quad stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Lately, the alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón has been listening to some of his parents' favorite music. That is, he's adapted a handful of classic popular songs from his native Puerto Rico for his jazz quartet. And on his forthcoming album Alma Adentro, he even contracted his friend Guillermo Klein to write backing arrangements for a 10-piece woodwind section. Lush and verdant — like the tropical isle which inspired them — the charts saw a rare public performance at Newport's central Quad Stage.

Personnel

Miguel Zenón, alto saxophone

Luis Perdomo, piano

Hans Glawischnig, bass

Henry Cole, drums

Nathalie Joachim, flute

Jessica Schmitz, flute

Domenica Fossati, flute

Alexey Gorokholinsky, clarinet

Christof Knoche, bass clarinet

Katie Scheele, oboe

Keve Wilson, English horn

Brad Balliett, bassoon

Jennifer Kessler, French horn

Ian Donald, French horn

Guillermo Klein, conductor

Set List

Silencio

Alma Adentro

Olas y Arenas

Perfume de Gardenias

Tiemblas