Orquesta Alto Maiz
"The Salsa Band"
veinte, orquesta alto maiz anthology
Veinte

20 years!

Whooda ever thunk it possible?

Such a privilege and an amazing experience it has been to participate in this unique musical aggregation known as Orquesta Alto Maiz - or less formally as "the Salsa Band." A lot of gray hair, receded hairlines, expanded waistlines, and tons of fun has transpired over these twenty years. We have become a real family, albeit slightly dysfunctional. I guess you could say that we've put the FUN in dysfunctional! Through it all we've experienced great camaraderie and played some exhilarating music. And we've all grown considerably trying to learn how to play these great musical genres known as salsa and Latin jazz.

To commemorate this important milestone, we have assembled a musical anthology culled from every recording session we've done. The tracks are presented in chronological order. The core personnel from our first gig in 1986 that has remained constant twenty years later is comprised of Ed East, Jim Dreier, Dan Hummel, and myself. Many other musicians have, or have had, lengthy tenures with the band, including Steve Grismore, Al Naylor, Brent Sandy, Rich Medd. Paul Cunliffe, Bob Thompson and Tom Barry. And, aside from the bass chair, which has been a kind of revolving door, Bill Bergren is the most recent addition to the current edition of the band. The curious listener is invited to peruse the personnel lists for each of the musical selections to get a glimpse of the band's evolution. We hope you enjoy this musical sampling of 20 years of our efforts. And we thank all of you who have made it possible for us to continue to keep on keepin' on. Here's to you!

-Bob Washut, El Presidente

Tracks

and Graciela (Steve Grossman, arr. Washut) Puerto De Tierra (1988) 3:57
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Craig McMillan - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Paul Smoker; Al Naylor - trumpets; James Miller - trombone; Paul Scea - tenor sax

and De Todo Un Poco (Lou Perez, arr. East) Puerto De Tierra (1988) 3:26
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Matt Glascock - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; James Miller - trombone; Paul Scea - tenor sax

and Arrepiéntete (Ray Barreto, arr. Washut) Casa Del Fuego (1991) 5:38
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Craig McMillan - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; James Miller - trombone; Peter Hart - tenor sax; Tim Crumley - percussion

and Abran Paso Abran Paso (Ismael Miranda, arr. Washut) Dancing In The Corn (1992) 3:45
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Tim Hughes - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Peter Hart - tenor sax; Tim Crumley - percussion

and Bang Bang (Joe Cuba, arr. Barry) Azúcar Caliente (1994) 5:55
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Forest Stewart - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Don Jaques - alto sax; Tim Crumley - percussion

and Cha Chongo (Jim Dreier) Década (1996) 8:39
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Forest Stewart- bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion

and Mambo Galante (Bob Washut) Década (1996) 5:13
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Forest Stewart - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion

and Kinkamanché (Eddie Palmieri, arr. East) Live At Montreux (1998) 7:41
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Forest Stewart - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion

and Manteca (Dizzy Gillespie, Walter Fuller, Luciano Gonzalez, arr. Alto Maiz) Añejando (2001) 6:18
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Steve Charlson - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion

and Vous Les Vous Danse (Jules Sagna, arr. East) Añejando (2001) 5:26
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Steve Charlson - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Brent Sandy, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion

and Vamonos Pal Monte (Eddie Palmieri, arr. Washut) Ritmo En Azul (2004) 7:31
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Mark Umess - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Bill Bergren, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion

and Basso Urnessto (Bob Washut) Ritmo En Azul (2004) 6:39
Personnel: Bob Washut - keyboards; Mark Urness - bass; Steve Grismore - guitar; Ed East, Dan Hummel - percussion; Jim Dreier - drum set; Bill Bergren, Al Naylor - trumpets; Rich Medd - trombone; Bob Thompson - tenor sax & flute; Paul Cunliffe - percussion