Catching Up with Chembo

 

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel projects a measured ebullience. Hands moving in a blur across his tumbadoras -- i.e., congas, though he prefers the Spanish term -- he maintains a strict posture and only the faintest traces of a smile. It’s clear that he sees his work as serious business, even when his music sounds like the essence of jocularity. 

At Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club in East Harlem on Friday, he made a few genial attempts at stage humor, along the lines of “The more you drink, the better we sound.” The awkwardness of his patter underscored the composure of his playing. Showmanship may be among the requisites of a Latin-jazz bandleader, but Corniel illustrated just how sharply a performance could speak for itself.

Leading his crisp working band, Grupo Chaworo -- Ivan Renta on tenor saxophone, Elio Villafranca on piano, Carlo DeRosa on bass and Vince Cherico on drums -- Chembo was celebrating the release of an excellent album called Things I Wanted to Do (Chemboro).

The set began with the same overture that kick-starts the record: “Buena Gente,” a modal original with a shifting rhythmic premise. (It can be streamed at his MySpace page, along with the album’s title track.) During Renta’s surefooted solo, the tune plunged into a driving New York hard-bop mode. Corniel sat that section out entirely, nodding every once in a while at the suave exertions of his crew.

The oscillation between clave and swing occurred a few more times during the set -- notably on “The New Arrival,” by the late Hilton Ruiz -- and each time the strategy was the same: Corniel refrained from playing. When I was introduced to him after the set, I brought up this point, to which he had a well-considered response. “I want those swinging sections to feel like the real thing,” he said, “and I want the guys to be able to stretch out and do their thing.” What about the Ray Barretto school of playing over swing? Most conga players can’t quite pull it off, he said, and end up sounding “corny.”

There are many such thoughtful decisions on Things I Wanted to Do, which includes some effective guest turns: Chembo, who has worked with a spectacular array of Latin-jazz artists, makes a judicious leader. (Read his interview with Marc Myers in this recent JazzWax post.)

Incidentally, his engagement inaugurated a Latin Jazz Legacy Series at Creole. This Friday it continues with a sextet led by percussionist Steve Kroon, who was there last week to lend support. More at the club website; I’m told the gumbo is another reason to go. 

Comments

[dho3 (dennis h. ouchi)]

you're always interesting reading...and i learn about new and old musicians...that being said, i love music and your column helps me immensely. i play some gitar and have started doing some jazz gigs...i'm an older guy new to the scene. thanks for sharing your passion.
aloha
dho3