Orquesta Alto Maiz
"The Salsa Band"


decada
Década

A note from Bob Washut

This recording commemorates the tenth anniversary of Orquesta (de jazz y salsa) Alto Maiz. What began as a humble, but extremely fun project for the College Hill Arts Festival at the University of Northern Iowa in 1986 has evolved into a truly unique ensemble in the heartland of America. Over the past ten years Alto Maiz has developed a large and faithful following of dancers and fans whose support has encouraged our efforts in the exploration of this wonderful music known, generically, as "salsa" and Latin jazz.

Early on much of our efforts involved "copying" tunes from records in an attempt to learn to play the music authentically. As the band has evolved, however, we've learned to trust our instincts by contributing more original material to our repertoire. As a result, much of the music on this recording, Década, represents our efforts in this direction and documents our ten years of musical evolution.

Although we've been blessed to have had many excellent musicians pass through the band, the stability and longevity that has enabled us to develop has been possible because of the dedication of a core of musicians who have remained throughout the band's existence: Ed East, Jim Dreier, Dan Hummel, Al Naylor, Brent Sandy, and Steve Grismore. And with the addition of Tom Barry, our meticulous sound man, the band made a quantum leap. I am very honored to be associated with this group of misfits and I thank them, as well as all of the band's personnel, past and present, for the opportunity to have experienced so much fun and camraderie.

We would like to dedicate this recording to all of the dancers and fans who have provided us with the encouragement and support to stay at it for ten years. Here's to ten more...

- Bob Washut

Tracks

and Coqueton --(Bob Washut) and Pupi --(Fred Hoadley/arr: Bob Washut) and Bailoteo --(Bob Washut) and Cha-Chongo --(Jim Dreier) and) Paloma --(Bob Washut) and La Libertad --(Eddie Palmieri - arr: Steve Grismore/Brent Sandy) and Kinkamanche --(Eddie Palmieri - arr: Ed East) and Just Kidding --(Paquito D' Rivera - arr: Ed East) and Samba de Orfeu --(Luiz Bonfa - arr: Bob Washut) and La Bienvenida --(Ed East) and Mambo Galante --(Bob Washut) and Sopa de Caracol --(Bob Washut)