The Plaza Jazz Trio is one of
George Haslam's Latin bands -- a relative of
the Anglo-Argentine Jazz Quartet, if you will. The trio takes its name from the Plaza Jazz Festival of Havana (Cuba), where it was created in December 2000, but this debut album is comprised of studio recordings from two sessions held in October 2001 and June 2002. The track list is dominated by Latin and jazz standards. The scaled-down arrangements required for two horns (baritone sax and trumpet) and congas bring a breath of fresh air to tunes like "Tea for Two" and "Recado Bossa Nova."
Robin Jones' congas take up a lot of room in the mix, which is just what should happen.
Haslam's round, warm tone fits these Latinized versions like a glove, although some listeners may think he stays bit too much to the softer side of things on this particular album. His own "Soft Awakening," a languorous melody, features well among the familiar tunes. The eight-minute title track sees the trio make an attempt at free improvisation, but since
Jones can't (or isn't willing to) break free of a typical conga pattern, it sounds more like "free Latin" (as in "free jazz"). For
Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine," Steve Waterman trades his acoustic trumpet for an electronic valve instrument, an ill-advised decision. It gives the tune a trite, easy listening sound. But the other pieces offer a valuable dose of sunny chamber Latin jazz with a light free jazz touch. ~ François Couture