Spirits of Havana

by Scott YanowOn this remarkable CD, Jane Bunnett (doubling on flute and soprano) performs Cuban music on its own terms quite successfully. Bunnett and a pair of fellow Canadians (trumpeter Larry Cramer and bassist Kieran Overs) recorded in Havana with some of the top Cuban musicians, including Guillermo Barreto (who supervised the sessions, played some timbales, and was an inspiration to Bunnett); singer Merceditas Valdes; pianists Hilario Duran, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Frank Emilio; several top percussionists; and others. The very original music (including a fresh rendition of Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy") is well worth several listens and is a classic of its kind.