Composers
Humberto Ramirez
Humberto Ramirez' debut in the jazz genre, accompanied by his group Jazz Project, was an indisputable surprise in the local artistic scene. International and local music critics praised extensively and were carried away by this young composer, musician and trumpeter born in San Juan Puerto Rico. Latin Beat magazine described it as "impressive". The prestigious New York Daily News predicted a great future for him in the very difficult jazz genre.
Today this devoted artist is successful again. After finishing his third album for Tropi-Jazz called "Portrait of a Stranger" he is enjoying the success of his second album 'Aspects". All the praise and commendations made by the specialized press has solidified his position as one of the best exponents of the jazz genre and this contributed to place the Latino talent in the position he deserves.
The Plain Dealer described him as "one of the most watched artists of Latin Jazz, especially as a musical arranger". CD Review points out that, "Humberto" is another candidate for Latin Jazz stardom"; "Aspects" is the best in contemporary jazz. Jazz Times magazine and Latin Beat compare Ramirez to the legendary Miles Davis.
Jazz Times indicates that the Ramirez "has a mature tasteful sound, that evokes Miles Davis…His compositions and arrangements are sensitive and clean". Latin Beat describes his work as "of attractive eloquence and steady shades, his trumpet solos reminds us of the sound of the great Miles Davis before the electronic era, of whom he shows a subtle influence".
The specialized magazines are not the only ones to praise Ramirez' work. His music has found a deserved and positive echo in Puerto Rico and foreign newspapers. Perhaps one of the more relevant commentaries on his work was published by Hispanic Magazine, in which it is asserted that "Ramirez represents a new generation of Hispanic musicians who are as comfortable outside of the Hispanic music idiom as they are in it". The review adds that his execution of the trumpet is " warm and melodious, an important new voice in the world of Hispanic-based instrumental music".
With all this praise and the success of his first two albums, Humberto Ramirez gives all of himself in "Portrait of a Stranger", a work in which he reaffirms his interpretative quality and his compromise to exalt the Latin jazz tradition.
This production contains twelve themes - eight composed by Ramirez himself - in which his collaboration with Guadalupe Garcia " Un Tipo Con Suerte" stands out. Also prominent in terms of content are three musical numbers by important composers: " Cuando Estoy Contigo" (Madrigal) by Felipe Rosario Goyco, "Sonando con Puerto Rico" by Bobby Capo, and "My Funny Valentine" by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.
"Portraits of a Stranger" also includes collaborations of well known exponents of the tropical genre. Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega imprint their vocal quality to "Un Tipo Con Suerte" in what represents an innovation in Humberto Ramirez' productions. On the other hand the composer dedicates two musical numbers: "The Ball Players" to the Puerto Rican baseball stars, Carlos Baerga and Ruben Sierra; and "To the King" to Maestro Tito Puente, whom Ramirez recognizes as one of his sources of inspiration.
The list of credits in "Portraits of a Stranger" has important names of the music world like Oscar Cartaya, Dave Valentin, Russell Ferrante, Mario Rivera, Willie Rosario, and other distinguished musicians in this genre. Recorded at Power Light Studios in Puerto Rico, this recording promises to surpass the expectations of the jazz public and catch the interest of every follower of excellent music.
Humberto Ramirez has shared the stage with great jazz stars like: Freddie Hubbard, Paquito D'Rivera, Justo Almario, Alex Acuna, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Tito Puente, Michel Camilo, Herbie Hancock and Eddie Gomez. At the same time, Ramirez appeared as an attraction in prestigious venues like the Catalina Bar & Grill in Los Angeles, Peabody's Downunder in Clevelend, Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. and the Blue Note in New York City.
The evolution of the music and the interpretive maturity of Humberto Ramirez is imprinted in "Portrait of a Stranger", a production that reaffirms the name of this Puerto Rican artist as one of the best exponents of the new generation of Latin jazz… and one of the protagonists of the history of our afro-antillian roots.
