La Banda Ramirez - Cuban Butterflies (CD)

Notes on the Tunes
1. Rumbero Siempre, by Humberto Ramirez. This tune is our “show opener,” a fanfare introducing La Banda Ramirez (LBR) with brief, colorful solos.
2. Cuban Butterflies, by our dear friend Bill Jacobs, composer, vibraphonist, percussionist, and band leader. Carolyn completed the bridge section with her flute chorales.
3. Yambú for Two, written by Carolyn in 2020, highlights the interaction of flute and congas. It is based on an old Havana style of the yambú rhythm.
4. Guaracha Estupefacta, a guaracha by José Luís Cortés, in our transcription and arrangement.
5. Si te vieras con mis ojos – poem by Dora Glottman, sister of LBR pianist Jack Glottman, who composed the music of this beautiful love song.
6. St. Germain, by Chacho Ramirez, in memory of his sister, Augustina Gonzalez.
7. 2020, by Carolyn, contemplating the very sad and unexpected first year of the COVID pandemic.
8. Is, by Bill Jacobs, originally a swing tune, was one of Bill’s earlier compositions. We turned it into a mambo, as Bill had wanted to do, but never completed.
9. Bolero Oculto – by José Luís Cortés, a sultry combination of a bolero with funk rhythms.
10. Harina y quimbombó – by José Luís Hernández, alias Campeón, arranged by Arsenio Rodriguez as a traditional Cuban Son. Many thanks to Argelio del Nodal for bringing this arrangement to LBR.