Other Tongues by The Paul Carlon Octet

A case in point is his latin reassessment of Strayhorn's venerable Smada, the only piece not by Carlon and ample evidence of the kind of imagination and self-belief he brings to the idiom."

--Ray Comiskey, The Irish Times

*****Other Tongues has been on JazzWeek's World Music Chart for 14 weeks, debuting at No. 45 on Nov. 20, 2006, and having reached a high of number 28!*****

In a combination that is both blisteringly Afro-Cuban and elegantly Jazz-inflected, this ensemble’s collective voice speaks of Strayhorn, New York City Jazz, the funk of Bootsy Collins, the humor of Fellini, and the influences of Cuba, Brazil, and Colombia. Featuring African mbira (also known as the kalimba), a collection of brass and woodwinds, and a traditional jazz rhythm section, "Other Tongues" also displays the talents of some very special guest artists.

Vocalist Ileana Santamaría brings a lyrical, lilting timbre and deep knowledge of Afro-Cuban rumba and Yoruban chants to the recording. She has been making waves of her own with her group, the Ileana Santamaría Orchestra, for which Carlon serves as musical director.

Rumbatap pioneer Max Pollak engages in two memorable duets on Other Tongues; “Rumbatapestry”, written as a feature for Pollak’s innovative and world-renowned mix of tap, Afro-Cuban folkloric dance and body percussion, includes a startling musical conversation between Pollak’s percussive tap and Carlon’s tenor. And on “Extraordinary Rendition”, Pollak and drummer William “Beaver” Bausch embark on some measure-bending trading against the odd-meter groove of the horns.

Very special guest Buddy Terry, veteran of many recordings and some of jazz’ mightiest bands (Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Ray Charles, Count Basie, et al), brings his soulful, gutbucket tenor sound to “Street Beat”, jumping into some bluesy trading with Carlon on tenor and Anton Denner on alto saxophone.

The regular personnel of the Paul Carlon Octet includes many of New York’s current crop of established young jazz and Latin jazz artists: Dave Smith on trumpet, Ryan Keberle and Mike Fahie on trombones, Anton Denner on alto saxophone and flute, John Stenger on piano, Dave Ambrosio on bass, and William “Beaver” Bausch on drums.

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