Pianist-Arranger Gino Amato Releases New Album “Latin Crossroads 2” | LISTEN!
Gino Amato Releases New Album “Latin Crossroads 2”
The inventive arranger Gino Amato adds a Latin flavor and a creative use of an all-star roster of singers to a set of standards and a classical piece
Ranging from “Moonlight In Vermont” and “I Love Paris” to compositions by Paul Simon and Rimsky-Korsakov, each selection on Latin Crossroads 2 is not only Latinized but reborn in surprising ways
Gino Amato enjoys taking beloved standards, adding Latin rhythms and new riffs played by a big band, and mixing together top singers with skilled instrumentalists. He gives new life to even the most familiar songs with his imaginative arrangements.
Following up on the success of his Latin Crossroads album comes Latin Crossroads 2 which finds Amato utilizing an 11-piece band (not counting some notable guests), eight top-notch singers, and an a cappella group.
The program begins with a Latin groove on Paul Simon’s “Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard” with vocals by Arnold McCuller and Matt Cusson that turn the pop song into a joyful jazz mambo. The 1930s standard “I Only Have Eyes For You” features Kandace Springs‘ singing in the lead with a vocal ensemble consisting of Janis Siegel, Aubrey Johnson, Lauren Kinhan, and Kevin Osborne backing her. “When I Fall In Love” has the a cappella group Kings Return and tenor-saxophonist Lou Marini as the stars while the classic ballad “Moonlight In Vermont” is interpreted as a samba with Kevin Osborne as the lead singer.
“Tangerine” features the vocal ensemble along with a piano solo from Amato. Janis Siegel gets to scat and display her beautiful voice on “No Moon At All” (with musical director Oscar Hernandez taking a piano solo) while “I Love Paris” features Veronia Swift. “What A Wonderful World” gets a very rare Latin treatment with singer Arnold McCuller, violinist Leonardo Suarez Paz, and vibraphonist Joe Locke in the spotlight, “Someone To Watch Over Me” is a showcase for Siegel while “Windmills Of Your Mind” (arranged by Oscar Hernandez) has an excellent flugelhorn solo from Alex Norris and singing from Matt Cusson. The memorable outing concludes with the set’s only instrumental, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade,” which has trumpeter Randy Brecker introducing the piece while supported by the full band and a string quartet.
Gino Amato has had a diverse musical career with many influences and inspirations that form part of his musical personality. He has extensive classical training and studied music at William Paterson University, Rutgers, and privately with Don Sebesky and Jim McNeely. Amato gained important experience working with the Puerto Rican salsa band La Sonora Ponceña and pianist Papo Lucca. He is the musical director of the Royal Scam Tribute Show and was an arranger-composer at Deep Diner Studios, writing for many big bands and Latin ensembles. The release of Latin Crossroads in 2024 was a major milestone with his inventive and colorful arrangements turning songs from a wide variety of sources into infectious Afro-Cuban music.
Latin Crossroads 2 continues the concept and is filled with memorable performances that will certainly result in Gino Amato becoming a household name among those who enjoy sophisticated arrangements, creative use of singers, and Latin music.
Jazz Promo Services