New York Resident

The Week of November 28, 2005.
www.resident.com page 40

PUERTO RICAN PIANIST MUNOZ AT JAZZ STANDARD

Pianist Carli Munoz grew up in Puerto Rico but at an early age he covered a lot of ground musically and geographically. In 1969, he went to Los Angeles on a weekend visit and ended up doing studio work and tours with a variety of artists, such as Wilson Pickett, the Association, Jan and Dean, and the Beach Boys (for 11 years). Eventually Munoz was able to work with artists whose vision was closer to his own: George Benson, Chico Hamilton, Les McCann and Charles Lloyd. In December 1998, he opened his own jazz supper club, Carli Café Concierto in Old San Juan . He comes to New York periodically to record on his own label, Pelosenel Records. His latest recording, “Maverick,” features his own trio, which has a world-class rhythm section: bass player Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette. His two guest stars on the album are also class acts — saxophonist David Sanchez and clarinet player Don Byron. The leader favors simple, childlike melodies (such as Keith Jarrett's “Margot” and his own “Katira's Waltz”), both tunes written for each composer's wife. The trio itself forms a happy marriage, in which there is an ongoing elegant conversation between the piano, bass and drums. On Nov. 30, Munoz and his trio will perform music from “Maverick” at the Jazz Standard ( 116 E. 27th St. , between Park and Lexington avenues, 212- 576-2232, www.jazzstandard.com).

—Barry Bassis Please send responses to New York Resident editor in chief Sara Bonisteel at sarab@resident.com.