Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
Changing of the Guard at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
On October 23, Ted Nash – having toured the world playing alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass…
Bassist Andy González, who died April 9, frequently worked with his brother, the trumpeter and percussionist Jerry González (1949–2018).
(Photo: Jazz at Lincoln Center)Bassist Andy González, who was famous for the influential Latin-jazz recordings he made with the Fort Apache Band, died on April 9. According to an NPR article, the cause of death was complications from a pre-existing illness. He was 69.
During his long career, González worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Eddie Palmieri, Steve Turre, Papo Vazquez, Bill O’Connell, Ray Barretto, Arturo O’Farrill and others.
He and his brother—the trumpeter and conga player Jerry González (1949–2018)—cofounded the Fort Apache Band, whose albums in the 1980s included The River Is Deep, Obatalá and Rumba Para Monk.
He received Grammy nominations for his work on Crossroads (1994) and Pensativo (1995), both credited to Jerry González and the Fort Apache Band.
In 2016, Andy González released the leader album Entre Colegas on the Truth Revolution Records label, earning another Grammy nomination, this time in the category Best Latin Jazz Album.
He was profiled in the June 2016 issue of DownBeat by journalist Ted Panken, who described the mid-’60s jam sessions that occurred at the González siblings’ home in the South Brox, attracting such musicians as Gillespie, Machito, Kenny Dorham, Jackie McLean, Larry Young and Rubén Blades.
“There were elements of that spirit—to play with abandon and grab some of the jams, González said, comparing the recording sessions for Entre Colegas with those informal jams. “I played with as much abandon as I could.”
In the same article, bassist and Truth Revolution Records co-proprietor Luques Curtis said, “Andy is easily [the] most influential Latin-jazz bassist ever.” DB
As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.
Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
On October 23, Ted Nash – having toured the world playing alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet and bass…
Larry Appelbaum with Wayne Shorter in 2012.
Feb 25, 2025 10:49 AM
Larry Appelbaum, a distinguished audio engineer, jazz journalist, historian and broadcaster, died Feb. 21, 2025, in…
“This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.
Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
The Blue Note Jazz Festival New York kicks off May 27 with a James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall.
Apr 8, 2025 1:23 PM
Blue Note Entertainment Group has unveiled the lineup for the 14th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival New York, featuring…
“You’ve got to trust that inner child, keep exploring, even though people think it’s wrong,” says Fortner.
Feb 25, 2025 11:20 AM
Every week at the Village Vanguard fosters its own sound. No one really knows how the music might evolve by Sunday, but…
