News

Discover the fascinating musical universe of the Vistel Brothers in the latest In&Out JAZZ article! Ricky Lavado immerses us in the magic of “Fiesta en el Batey“, the new album that perfectly fuses contemporary jazz with the rich Afro-Cuban tradition. Accompanied by the stunning photographs of Valentín Suárez, the article unravels how brothers Jorge and Maikel Vistel have evolved into true masters of music, weaving sonic bridges with a unique personality and creativity. Let yourself be carried away by the vibrant energy of Santiago de Cuba and the tribute to the Ballet Folklórico Cutumba in this unmissable musical journey! 🎶🎷#VistelBrothers #FiestaEnElBatey #JazzAfrocubano

We share publication of skJazz, a jazz news and reviews website in Slovakia and around the world. It offers information about jazz concerts and festivals, as well as about artists and their albums. 🎶 On this occasion they publish a review of our latest album, Fiesta en el Batey. We encourage you to read it!

Azul presents the En el Mar Project, a unique initiative that fuses music, literature and environmental awareness to inspire the Latino community to care for our precious marine resources.

Music that Connects Hearts: The project includes a captivating musical album produced by the talented Maikel Vistel. Featuring renowned musicians and singers such as Omara Portuondo, Daymé Arocena and Alaín Pérez, the music will immerse you in the depths of the ocean and take you on a sonic journey that celebrates the beauty of our seas.

Words that Resound: En el Mar’s literary anthology features 16 works by diverse Latin authors. Each story, poem or essay weaves narratives that explore our connection to the sea, highlighting the importance of preserving and protecting our oceans for future generations.

Conversations that Inspire: Dive deeper with the 8-episode podcast series hosted by Roko Pachukote. The episodes are dedicated to raising awareness in Latino communities about the vital importance of protecting the ocean and our coasts.

Discover all that the En el Mar Project has to offer by visiting enelmar.org. Join us to celebrate the richness of our oceans and learn how each of us can play a crucial role in protecting them. The sea connects us all, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to take care of it!

Solar Latin Club presents the long awaited return of Cuban saxophonist Maikel Vistel with his Orquesta Gigante in the new album “Azul Presents En El Mar“. This third album, six years after “Pasos”, is a tribute to the oceans and seas, with 14 pieces carefully selected and vocalized by Dayme Arocena and Lazaro Armenteros, with the special participation of the legendary Omara Portuondo in one of the tracks.

The album immerses us in a musical journey that encompasses Cuban rhythms such as Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Son Montuno, Guaracha, Mambo and Danzón, with arrangements by Rafael Aguila and musical direction by Maikel Vistel himself. From the sublime Cha Cha Cha Cha “La Jaibera” to the powerful guaracha “Deja Que Suba La Marea”, the album offers a diverse and richly nuanced experience.

Highlighting compositions by artists such as Daniel Santos, Compay Segundo and Arsenio Rodríguez, as well as reinterpretations of classics such as “El Pescador” and “La Barca”, the album achieves a unique connection between Cuban and folkloric sounds from diverse regions. “Sopa De Caracol”, popularized by the Honduran band Banda Blanca, also finds its place, revisited with a deep flavor and respect for the Garifuna language.

With “Azul Presents En El Mar”, Maikel Vistel not only celebrates the richness of the oceans, but also invites us to immerse ourselves in the richness and diversity of Latin music. You can read the full article in Solar Latin Club and discover the charm of “En El Mar”.

Begoña Villalobos presents the album “Convergence” on In and Out Jazz, a vibrant project created by Swiss drummer and composer Florian Arbenz.

The album brings together internationally renowned jazz stars, with Jorge Vistel on trumpet, Maikel Vistel on tenor sax, Nelson Veras on guitar, Jim Hart on vibraphone, Rafael Jerjén on bass and, of course, leader Florian Arbenz on drums. Inspired by great references such as Art Blakey and Max Roach, “Convergence” weaves a musical narrative that goes from abstraction to melodic structures, highlighting the excellent interactions between the musicians.

The original compositions, especially those by Jorge and Maikel Vistel, bring unique nuances to the album. From the soft dialogue in “Little Idea” to the intense interaction in “Strong Steps”, each track reveals the richness of polyrhythms and the deep connection between the instrumentalists. The album culminates with the charm of “Edificio17”, another gem by Jorge Vistel that closes this international musical experience with a flourish.

“Convergence” is more than an album; it is a fascinating encounter of cultures, styles and virtuosity that invites listeners to immerse themselves in the magic of contemporary jazz. For more details, visit In and Out Jazz and let yourself be carried away by this exciting sonic journey.

Joan Carles Abelenda immerses us in a fascinating musical journey through his latest article in Jazz TK, where he unravels the intricacies of the album “Trio On” by Maikel Vistel, Reinier Elizarde and Juanma Barroso.

The article highlights the trio’s bold approach, characterized by an almost completely original repertoire, highly creative parameters and an unconventional lineup of saxophone, double bass and drums. Abelenda recognizes Maikel Vistel as the main protagonist, highlighting his dexterity on both tenor and soprano, while highlighting the crucial work of Elizarde and Barroso in the sound construction of the album.

Throughout the seven tracks that make up the recording, Abelenda reveals the trio’s perfect rapport and their approach outside the traditional canons, fusing modernity and an amalgam of diverse styles. Vistel’s influence, rooted in the traditional school of tenor saxophone, intertwines with elements of Warne Marsh’s saxophonism and Mark Turner’s musicianship, creating a unique amalgam of long, stilted and open lines.

Abelenda concludes by highlighting the trio’s music as risky and interesting, urging listeners to immerse themselves in multiple listens to discover the musical richness that this exceptional work treasures. For a full exploration, read Joan Carles Abelenda’s complete review in Jazz TK. Get ready for a sonic journey that defies contemporary jazz expectations!

Álex García shares his experience of the Miralta – Vistel Quantic concert in a vibrant chronicle in Jazz TK. The quartet, made up of the Vistel brothers, the Japanese double bass player Kamaguchi and Marc Miralta from Barcelona, offered an exceptional musical experience at the Refugio Jazz Club.

The amazing complicity between the members, who barely knew each other before a jam session, translated into a brutal energy transmitted to the audience. Garcia highlights the mutual admiration, the shared fun and the complicit smiles that characterized the concert. He notes that the presentation was divided into two sessions, both brilliant and exciting, with a repertoire composed entirely of original songs by Jorge, Maikel and Marc.

The chronicle describes the concert as a modern jazz experience, where the constant interaction between the members during the solos generated a sensational result. Garcia concludes his account by noting that the concert left the audience with the desire to hear this group many more times. Find out more about this electrifying encounter by reading Álex García’s full report in Jazz TK. Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of Miralta – Vistel Quantic!

We share this wonderful piece by Esther Cidoncha, Retratos de Jazz, dedicated to Maikel Vistel.