(Fusion) Negroni's Trio - Just Three - 2010, APE (image+.cue) lossless

José Negroni, pianist and composer with an outstanding creativity, has acquired recognition in the world of Jazz. His band, Negroni’s Trio, is formed by his son Nomar Negroni, talented drummer and of great vigour (product of the Berklee College of Music); and of guest bass players like John Benitez, Marcos Panascia and Jonathan Estés, amongst others. The master performances of Negroni’s Trio achieve a truly amazing combination where jazz, classic lyricism and Afro Latin punches, merge.
Negroni is native of Puerto Rico and disciple of the salsa legend Papo Lucca, and technique and classic music teachers like the outstanding Alicia Morales. He was a teacher in the Music Conservatory in Puerto Rico for more than sixteen years. He had the chance of perform with the salsa’s greatest like La Sonora Ponceña and Apollo Sound. At the same time that he was establishing a successful career like one of the directors, producers and pop music arrangers most wanted; he was on tour as pianist and director with the biggest Latin sensations, for example: José Luis Rodriguez El Puma, Chayanne, Carmita Jiménez and Braulio.
His first album, “Naturaleza/Nature” (2003), in Universal Music Latino, combines progressive jazz elements, pop and Latin music, and at the same time gives homage to the spirit of his native island. Since its release, Naturaleza/Nature, has achieved places on the charts of jazz and new age radio stations, throughout the United States of America.
His next album, “Piano/Drums/Bass” (Universal Music Latino), was nominated in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album for the Latin Grammy (2005) and achieved the place amongst the top fifteen on the charts (Jazz Week Charts, USA). This album combines classic and , Afro Caribbean elements; bass lines with great rhythmic sense, piano vamps and brilliant percussion solos. With airplay in more than 370 worldwide radio stations, Negroni’s Trio has received an international ovation considerably since his release in the United States. In 2005 the album was released in Japan, Spain, Argentina, England, Greece, Uruguay, Indonesia and Mexico.
In 2007 Negroni offered up “Father & Son” on the Cacao Musica Label. Once again José and his son Nomar expand on their Latin roots with the help of Marco Panascia, double bass, Peruvian percussionist Alex Acuña on the cajon, vocalist Maria Nahima, and Puerto Rican Quique Domenech on the cuatro. This is their most ambitious project to date and is sure to gain momentum as people have a chance to listen and appreciate the music.
The audiences of Negroni’s Trio are seduced by their classic lyricism, innovative and fresh piano improvisations, in the standard repertoire and in the original one as well. They maintain, actually, a vast schedule of international festivals and local presentations, which electrify repeatedly, a vast range of new audiences and followers.

One way to keep a piano-led trio from sounding like so many others is to write original music for the group. Another is to take a page out of Jose Negroni's playbook, splitting time between acoustic and electric pianos.
The Puerto Rican composer/pianist taught for 16 years at the Island's Music Conservatory. After moving to the United States, he became director of Sony Music Publishing, a position he held for 10 years. He has been nominated for a Latin Grammy, and his music has gotten as high as 15 on the Jazz Week charts. Negroni's play on the electric piano brings Eumir Deodato to mind, while his acoustic play more closely resembles that of Chick Corea.
Negroni's Trio includes his son Nomar on drums and, for Just Three, acoustic bassist Marco Panascia.
"Fingers" is a free-spirited piece, the trio jamming from the first note, the solos that follow riveting, and the background instrumentation superb. "Bailando Rumba" is a danceable Latin tune, where the bass lays down a groove that's soon accompanied by drums before the piano comes in. As the song picks up, the trio engages in a series of stop-time phrases. "Milani," although very different, employs similar elements. The acoustic piano solo is among the album's highlights, with the intensity high and the fingering swift.
"Preludio en la Noche" is a solo acoustic piano piece. Without accompaniment, Negroni begins coolly; the piece slow, quiet, almost brooding, but a bit disjointed. It shifts from an ambient melody to a hypnotic, oceanic passage.
Negroni's Trio participates in recording sessions and teachings at Miami Dade College's Latin Jazz Institute. The group has also performed at numerous festivals around the world. The music mingles jazz, Latin and African styles, with a hint of classical composition.
By WOODROW WILKINS
Published: November 14, 2010

Jose Negroni: piano; Nomar Negroni: drums; Marco Panascia: acoustic bass.