On his previous solo recording, Joseph Diamond described himself to the world in the album’s title as Not Your Typical New Yorker. The airtight Latin-informed jazz on that disc certainly supported his claim; how many New Yorkers do you know who can make a piano sing and groove at the same time, and make you want to listen all night?
What Joseph gets into on Island Garden leads me to suggest that very little is typical about this amazing pianist and composer. For starters, these aren’t your typical Latin tunes. Just about any decent player can create an album of rhythmic, listenable music that appeals to the background jazz set. But Joseph takes a path much less traveled, which results in a much more rewarding experience for you, the listener. Joseph hasn’t just thrown some montunos together and played pretty melodies over them for this disc. He’s written a collection of great compositions: Tunes with direction, rhythmic vitality, humor, harmonic twists and turns, and most importantly, variety. They get more interesting each time you hear them.
It’s rare that a single album will draw from such diverse Latin traditions without sounding contrived. Joseph makes it sound like the real deal because he’s the real deal himself. A fortuitous set of circumstances led him to spend years traveling the Caribbean basin, absorbing the rhythms, phrasing, and sensibilities of dozens of music cultures and traditions as he gigged from island to island. The mambos, merengues, guaguancos, sons, and calypsos underlying the tunes on this album sound as though they’re fresh off the boat. Of course, great tunes aren’t anything without great playing - another area in which Joseph excels. His solos are masterful but not overbearing, inventive without losing their focus. His montunos are monstrous. He’ll tear your head off one moment, then turn around and infect your heart with an unforgettable phrase. He makes you wonder what he’s going to do next.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s brought in a stellar array of colleagues to support him, many of whom are luminaries in their own right in the Latin jazz scene, and who count themselves as members of Joseph’s live band when they’re in town. Bassist Leo Traversa is so deep in the pocket it’s ridiculous, whether he’s playing fretted or fretless electric. Vince Cherico is the heartbeat of the band on drums, with a host of percussionists laying down the perfect parts for each tune. Joseph knows what to do with a great melody, and he’s handed several of his off to players equal to the task, such as Rob Thomas on violin, Eddy Zerveignon and Bruce Williamson on flute, Marshall Sealy on French horn, Adam Niewood on tenor sax, and Guido Gonzalez on flugelhorn. The result is a collection of tunes that are orchestrated to perfection, with just the right voice singing to you at every turn, invigorating, inspiring, and intriguing you. Your biggest challenges will be to sit still while you listen, and to wait to see what Joseph Diamond does next.
(This is what latin jazz piano legend Oscar Hernández
had to say about Not Your Typical New Yorker)
"This debut CD by Joseph Diamond offers an interestingly new and refreshing
perspective on latin jazz piano.
A truly enjoyable listening experience. ¡Tremendo trabajo Joseph!"
(These are Maria von Dickersohn's original liner notes for
Not Your Typical New Yorker,
before they had to be pared down to fit on the CD booklet)
In 1995 the Grammys finally recognized the existence of Latin Jazz as a genre
that just wasn't going away. Thank goodness for that because on his debut
album Not Your Typical New Yorker, Joseph Diamond demonstrates a talent
worthy of the coveted prize. Wait'll you hear the 11 formidable tracks
Joseph has written for your pleasure.
One day out of the blue I received a voicemail from a man who said he was
Joseph Diamond. In all honesty, I thought, "who is this guy?; another
pianist trying to make it in an ocean already overflowing with starving
musicians?" Let's face it, as the saying goes: if I had a dollar for every
cassette or CD I've gotten from musicians aspiring to be acclaimed, I'd be
rich. But I listened to the message and out of sheer curiosity I returned
his call because you never know. Shortly thereafter I got the demo. My
radio show is over at 1 a.m. so getting home means hanging out in front of my
computer until 3 or 4 in the morning. This particular morning I sat down
to read my email and that's when I threw Joseph Diamond's music into the
CD-ROM and boy, was I blown away. Can't wait for you to hear it.
It's important for you to know that I had just spent the last 7 hours
listening to music. Two hours of my commute in the car to and from home.
Five of those hours at CD 101.9 doing my DJ thing. So I was pretty saturated
by the time Joseph Diamond strutted his mighty stuff via my computer. I sat
straight up in my chair as I heard his percussive piano grab me on track 1.
Here he was Joseph Diamond, the man from Liberty, New York without an
ounce of Latin blood in his veins playing the music I love with such verve.
But how could Joseph Diamond not have a true gem for the airwaves? He went
out and got the best. Not only does he ring all your bells, he does it in
the greatest company. Check this out: he's got impeccable drummer Vince
Cherico who has quickly become one of the most "in demand" drummers on the
Latin Jazz scene. Vince currently performs with Grammy Nominee Ray Barretto
and New World Spirit. He also performs on Ray Vega's self titled CD on the
Concord Jazz label. He's recently toured with The Caribbean Jazz Project,
which includes Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Samuels, and Andy Narell. He has also
performed with Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Chico
O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Vince currently holds a teaching
position at the Drummer's Collective and is endorsed by Zildjian Cymbals,
Latin Percussion, and Vic Firth Sticks so it's no surprise that Joseph
Diamond would tell Vince what he wanted and Vince would nail it. On top of
that Vince recommended Leo Traversa for the bass work. Leo has worked with
New York Voices and a host of other prolific artists so Leo was also able to
take off with Joseph Diamond's vision. When it came time to overdub the
congas and bongoes Pocholo Segundo and Rudy Romero were the ones to fill the
bill, and then to round out the group Joe brought in Emedín Rivera to play
percussion. Emedín has played with just about everybody and he brought to the
session tons of stuff along with his vivid imagination. Drew Francis
shows his mastery on flute, sax and synths. Add Dean Bailin as engineer
for the sessions and the mixes and Sharon Thorne who along with Drew Francis
came up with the synth parts and what you get is a pristine culmination of a
lifetime of work at what Joe Diamond loves the most, his music.
There's no doubt that the talents of Joseph Diamond are dripping, oozing out
from this introductory album. So for those of you who listen to Joseph's
music, your hearts will fill with the joy that only comes to the true Latin
Jazz lover who recognizes quality. And for those of you who don't take the
time to drink in Joseph Diamond's music, you don't know what you're missing
but one thing's for sure, if you do, Joseph Diamond will make a believer out
of you. He'll never let you go. These 11 tracks are his original
compositions that sizzle, mesmerize and dazzle but most of all Joseph
Diamond's music is a must-have for your collection. It sure is in mine.
And now ladies and gentlemen, join me in a round of applause for Joe Diamond
and Not Your Typical New Yorker.
CD101.9