Ray Obiedo: “Latin Jazz Project Vol. 1” on Rhythmus Records, is the 8th release by the Bay Area guitarist and composer. This project is a collection of Latin Jazz standards, including three of Obiedo’s original compositions.
Obiedo enlisted some of the music industries top musicians and longtime co-horts for the project. Percussionist Sheila E., Yellowjackets’ reed man Bob Mintzer, flutists Elena Pinderhughes and Roger Glenn, trumpeter Ray Vega, timbale master Orestes Vilató, percussionist Peter Michael Escovedo and vocalist Sandy Cressman all make significant appearances. Santana members David K. Mathews, Karl Perazzo and Jeff Cressman also contribute their expertise.
This Latin Jazz collection also features sax and flute player Norbert Stachell, steel pan player Phil Hawkins, pianist Peter Horvath, and brothers Marc and Paul van Wageningen on bass and drums.
Ray has 5 previous releases on the Windham Hill jazz label. This is his second release on his Oakland-based Rhythmus Records label.
The music on Ray’s Latin jazz project is a highly-energized and hypnotically rhythmic soundscape revealing all the passion, flavor, color and style of the San Francisco Bay Area which conceived, nourished and inspired Obiedo’s latest musical venture.