Holman, Bill: Cubajazz

Rarely does a piece turn up like this one. Although written for Stan Kenton (the mid-1950s), the chart never was recorded by the band (Holman doesn't know why), and it was lost for years. It is a sensational piece, combining Afro-Cuban rhythm (Latin) and Swing, and featuring solo space for tenor sax, trumpet and drums. It utilizes counterpoint between the wind sections over a Latin vamp and explores the perfect balance between counterpoint and dynamic ensemble writing in the Swing sections. This is Holman at his very best! 5-5-5-4