“Not only am I elated to see the success of this exemplary young man in his goals of becoming a renowned pianist of jazz and an accomplished structural engineer, I am excited about the quality of the songs and overall musicianship showcased in ‘In Due Time’, a recording that undoubtedly will stand the test of time!”
Global release date: August 1st, 2018 The album features my original compositions and arrangements, as well as the musical talents of my quartet - Greg Tanner Harris -vibes, Gonzalo Teppa-bass, Manuel Lopez-drums, and guest artist Josh Quinlan.
Please follow my music in SoundCloud and YouTube ...... Starting August 1st, 2018 you can purchase my debut album directly from the CD BABY music store at https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/WalterGorra1
Paquito D'Rivera and the Walter Gorra Septet.
Geoff Anderson, KUVO's host of Tuesday's Night Beat wrote a review of the Cuba's Damas de Blanco Benefit concert played by this same group the next day.
Jazz, pass it on.That was a big part of what happened last Friday night at the Mount Vernon Country Club.
National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master and 15-time Grammy Award winner Paquito D’Rivera led an ensemble of primarily college students in an evening of Latin Jazz. The groove was solid, the song selection impeccable and the learning experience priceless.
The jazz program at the University of Colorado at Boulder was the specific beneficiary of D’Rivera’s visit. The student leader of the band, pianist Walter Gorra, doubles as a civil engineering student. In between the students and the master were a couple of well-known professional Denver musicians, including vibes man Greg Harris and percussionist Manuel Lopez.
Rounding out the band was Josh Reed on trumpet, Greg Wahl on tenor sax, BK Kahn on drums and Mike Facey on bass.
D’Rivera acted as Master of Ceremonies throughout the evening, often speaking of his love for Brazilian music when he introduced tunes he wrote in the Brazilian style. A particular highlight of the set was a D’Rivera original - a tribute to James Moody called “Who’s Smoking?” - that featured such tight, intricate playing by the front line that it sounded like the group had been playing the tune together for years rather than mere days. The band also played a Gorra original called “Jazongo,” which won the 2014 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award.
Though the set list was mainly comprised of Latin Jazz varieties, there was room for some straight ahead jazz including Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia.”
D’Rivera led by example, not only with his relaxed and humorous stage banter, but especially with his alto sax and clarinet playing. His sax tone was delicious, strong, pure and highly confident. His solos were consistently intricate and inventive. Harris also laid down several memorable solos where his mallets nearly became invisible due to their speed over the vibes. Through their solo slots, each band member demonstrated why they were selected to be in a band with a master. The playing all around had the sound of jazz veterans.
This concert benefited the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) - women whose husbands, fathers and brothers are being held as political prisoners in Cuba. D’Rivera defected from Cuba in 1981 and Friday’s concert was meant to raise awareness of the repression that still exists on the island.
NOSOTROS by Pedro Junco Jr.
Victor Mestas and Walter Gorra in concert at Grusin Hall in Boulder, CO. Video credit - Van Wampler (Cinema Raven) March 15, 2015 at Grusin Hall - College of Music, University of Colorado Boulder.
A classic Cuban love song written by Pedro Junco Jr in 1943 has been sung and played by many artists. You have surely heard the piece as it is one of the most romantic boleros of all times. Victor and Walter play this duet at Grusin Hall bringing all of the emotion that this piece deserves.
Recorded LIVE at the Phillis A. Greer Performance Studio| KUVO-Denver. on February 26, 2015. Personnel: Walter Gorra - Piano, Mike Facey - Bass, BK Kahn - Drums, Greg Wahl - Tenor Saxophone, Josh Reed - Trumpet, Greg Tanner Harris - Vibraphone, Manuel Lopez - Congas and Percussion.