Mamey & Ricano - Afro-Puerto Rican/Afro-Dominican Jazz featuring Julián Pujols Quall & Jonathan Suazo
MAMEY & RICANO: Julián Pujols Quall and Jonathan Suazo bring two music projects together in an exploration of Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Dominican Jazz.
A musical collaboration project founded by Julián Pujols Quall, Mamey brings together the disciplines they have been studying, while deepening their understanding of the influence the Caribbean arts have had in their musical creation. The project showcases original and contemporary Dominican and Haitian music of the diaspora, honoring its beautiful traditions and resilience, and striving to promote new and vibrant art. A classically trained artist, Julian’s work has acquired a broad artistic scope. Julián was also a founding member of the Peabody Improvisers Collective, bringing together experimental artists from the Baltimore area, and earned the Blue Ribbon Scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory, the highest distinction at the Merit School of Music’s Alice S. Pfaelzer T Conservatory.
RICANO is the very 1st original Afro-Caribbean experience that combines Puerto Rican and Dominican rhythms within a potent new Jazz Sound. On RICANO, award-winning saxophonist, composer, cultural seeder, and educator Jonathan Suazo offers us a captivating Afro-Caribbean experience that presents themes of exploration, integration, and self-acceptance. “Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2023”, says New York Times. John’s music treads a beautiful line between intensity and delicacy with notable influences from artists such as Kenny Garrett, David Sánchez, Miguel Zenón and John Coltrane.
