Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz Orchestra: Humility

The track may be called "Humility," but this band has no need for false modesty. Led by a 2nd-generation Latin jazz master (Arturo's father is the celebrated Chico O'Farrill), the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra is a top- notch ensemble, combining strong charts with solid musicianship. Here the band tackles a Tom Harrell chart, which starts at a simmer with minimalist percussion and thick Kentonian chords. But shortly after the 1½-minute mark, the pot begins boiling over. Trumpeter Jim Seeley offers up a fluid and dynamic solo, prodded all the time by throbbing and rumbling horns in the background. But the performance hits its high point with a gripping trumpet and percussion interlude right before the return of the melody.