Six Degrees of Separation.....Cont'd

It took us a while to work our way across from Espoo a suburb of Helsinki to the other side of town, which is where we were to rendezvous with Jimeno. As we worked our way through the labyrinth of streets and the hodgepodge of new and old architectures, we arrived at the site where we were to meet up.  Slightly late, and only to find that the rehearsal was over, we decided to hit the cell phone and try to locate him.  So we headed for a local pub to strategize, quench the thirst and after a few phone calls, located Jimeno. 

Now getting to Jimeno's house was something out of a sixties sci-fi movie, with it's modern monolithic appearance and streets devoid of people (well it was already 9pm).  What struck me most was that there were no local neighborhood stores, odd i thought, but I was quickly reminded that I was in Finland as the street signs flashed by.  Arriving at the complex which was comprised of mixed architecture and futuristic building, we quickly made our way. After the customary introductions and greetings we sat down to chat.

Setting the correct theme, we quickly began with the question that sparked the quest: Where is the point of distinction between Latin Jazz and Salsa?  Jimeno looked at me for a few seconds, placed his hands on his chin and said " That answer should not be given without first thinking about it"  after hearing that I figured ok let it go for now, we will get back to it later. So I explained to him my mission in making people aware of our culture and our music, and then he did something that ultimately would have me acting like a kid in a candy store.  He left left the room, only to reappear with his treasure... Forty years of recorded interviews with the greats of Afro-Cuban music, inclusive of pictures.  I could tell by the look on his face as he was exhibiting his collection that it was a prize worth its weight in gold.

You see Jimeno is a very fortunate man, as he worked at the Egren studios, and was responsible for documenting all the music recorded in Cuba during that era as well as the classic, he also taught at the music conservatory in Cuba and was a regular at the famed Club Tropicana along with Paquito D'Rivera and the likes. 

Such was his talent that on one occasion delegates from Finland approached him in Cuba with a problematic piece of music that they having difficulty transcribing, and quickly he requested a pad and pen sat to listen to the piece and on the spot began transcribing the work.  They were so amazed by this ability that he was recruited while still living in Cuba to act as a consultant, professor in Finland. Well to make a long story short 16 years later he is still teaching the music he loves (folkloric music of Cuba) and has successfully fused Cuban sounds into the Finnish culture resulting in the group Afro-Suomi.

Ever the musician he is still an  active performer and is sought out by many musicians as professor, advisor, coach and friend.  One such group you may have heard of, the grammy award winning group "Vocal Sampling" where Jimeno was teacher, mentor and advisor during the fledging years and still maintains contact. 

In part III of this saga, we continue to share our discussion with the Latin Jazz Percussionist and Maestro.

John Irizarry/Jazz Enbreve

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