For his landmark 25th album as a leader Camilo wanted to do something truly special. The Dominican-born pianist set out to celebrate in a big way: namely, by reconvening his all-star big band for the first time in a quarter-century to explore the full scope and breadth of his remarkable career.
Essence, coming on the Resilience Music Alliance label, offers exactly that: the essence of Michel Camilo’s artistry spanning the last 40 years. The music, arranged in collaboration with trumpeter and long-time collaborator Michael Philip Mossman, is drawn from key points along Camilo’s storied trajectory. Most of the material has only been heard in trio settings in the past, while much of it hasn’t been revisited in the studio since the original recordings. All of it, however, vividly reflects the composer’s diverse influences, bringing together the various strands of his passion for jazz improvisation, Latin roots, and classical training.