Arsenio Rodriguez: Adivinalo

The contributions of Arsenio Rodriguez, the Cuban tres player and composer, to the development of Latin jazz have long been underappreciated. Rodriguezs band featured innovative music, rooted in the Afro-Cuban tradition, without which modern Latin jazz and salsa would have been much different. This track is part of a compilation from Rodriguezs best music. Adivinalo features trumpet and piano improvisations relying on chromaticism and modern jazz harmony. Along with Rodriguez, several other musicians who would become integral to the development of Latin jazz are on this album, including trumpeters Felix Chappotin and Chocolate Armenteros, and pianist Luis Lili Martinez. The percussion section drives this piece, which definitely captures the power of the Afro-Cuban tradition.