Gang, our friends from ASNMSU have lined up another great musical event for our listening pleasure.

¡Cubanismo!, a 15 piece Cuban dance band, has recently released their new CD "Reencarnacion" and we'll get to hear some of it next week.

¡Cubanismo! is the brainchild of renown Cuban trumpeter Jesús Alemañy, formerly of Sierra Maestra, and includes the highly respected conguero "Tata" Güines, pianist Ignacio "Nachito" Herrera and flautist Orlando Valle "Maraca".

In 1996, Jesús, who resides in London, returned to Cuba with fellow emigrant, pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, to organize the earlier, self titled CD, "¡Cubanismo!". Rehearsals were sometimes few and far between, due to political issues and travel restrictions. Diplomatic strings had to be pulled to allow the members to tour in the U.S. It's nothing short of miraculous that these folks "hear" each other as well as they do. The quality of their music is a tribute to the band's spirit, dedication and energy.

The big brassy sound of a dance band has always appealed to me and, since I was quite young, have found myself drawn to Latin music. This band combines the best of both those styles for me, and It just doesn't get much better. In my years of listening, I've been lucky to hear a few bands who had a magical quality. Something almost unstated, which separated them from less gifted, though still very good, bands. ¡Cubanismo! falls into that magical category, and "Reencarnacion" is some kind of special CD.

During my first listen to the CD, I found myself quite mesmerized by Jesús' prominent horn. He's fast, accurate and creative. But something nagged at me as I listened to that sweet horn. There was a slight familiarity to the style. A light vibrato and a big "splatty" "in your face" sort of sound. Eventually, it dawned on me that Jesús was reminding me of Doc Severinsen of Tonight Show fame. Doc played and recorded with many of the stellar Latin artists, including Antonio Carlos Jobim, prior to joining the Tonight Show band. I guess it should come as no surprise that Doc and Jesús would compliment each other's styles.

During the second listen, I began to focus on the rest of the band. They certainly live up to the high standards set by Jesús' horn playing, and are quite amazing. ¡Cubanismo!'s music is often very intricate. There can be several layers of rhythm happening at the same time-an exercise in counterpoint, but all perfectly in sync and wonderfully complimentary. Musically, there might be two or more voices "speaking" simultaneously. Different melodies, intertwined at some level, but separate and identifiable as individual. So perfectly contrived that one wonders, "why don't I hear music that way"?

The answer to that question, according to some of my Hispanic friends and neighbors, is that it's cultural. There is a sheer joy and love of life brought forth by Latin music, which is unfamiliar or not apparent to many of us of European roots. We often grew up learning about and listening to the works of dead, powdered wigged old composers, many of whom wouldn't know joy if it bit 'em "you know where".Thank goodness we live in a shrinking world where communication and the breaking down of barriers allow us all to partake of the good things that other countries and cultures can offer.

Now, before you start to think that I don't appreciate the classics, let me assure you that I do indeed love Bach Beethovan and many of the other classical composers. They're just not as much fun as ¡Cubanismo!.

The Boston Globe's May, 1997 review of the CD "¡Cubanismo!", has a headline which reads "¡Cubanismo! leaves no choice - you gotta move". They sure got that one right. If you're like me, not much of a dancer, you still belong at this concert. It would be nearly impossible to listen to this band and not tap your foot or bob your head. Or maybe tap, and bob and weave. Whatever you find yourself doing, you're going to enjoy this band.

So, let's meet at the Corbett Center ballroom on Tuesday, March 14th at 8:00PM. Admission is $20.00 for the general public, plus service charges. There is a $2.00 discount for NMSU students with a valid ID card.

You might bear in mind that traffic will be challenging, due to another major event in the Pan Am Center the same evening.

One last note. The machinations that ¡Cubanismo! has had to endure just to share their music with us, on our soil, are a sad commentary on the state of relations between our country and Cuba. These fine musicians aren't crazed commies or mad bombers. They're ambassadors of good will and joy. My opinion is that we, as a nation, need to re-think the position and attitude toward Cuba which have been imposed upon us by our political leaders. Cuba has a rich culture, wonderful music and food, and people just like you and me. Folks who want only to carve their little niche out of the world and try to be happy. The time has come for change.

-- John Swalby, jswalby@zianet.com
First published in the Las Cruces Bulletin on March 23, 2000