Los Arregladores

The art of listening anew

Arrangements drive this album. Minino Garay and Baptiste Herbin bring together musicians with different backgrounds to revisit Latin American songs and jazz standards. They shift the pulse, find a different color in a familiar melody and give every interpretation room to take shape. The writing is precise, and the playing leaves space for surprise.

For Garay, Los Arregladores marks a major moment: Qobuz calls it his most accomplished album to date. Latins de Jazz highlights its sensitivity and daring. Swing meets Latin American rhythms with close attention to detail and a shared energy that always serves the songs.

For more than 35 years, Garay has expanded the language of percussion in France. His more than 250 recordings span jazz, Argentine music and collaborations across musical traditions. His bombo legüero, Peruvian cajón, drums and deep voice build atmosphere, tension and a distinct pulse. Herbin brings a precise, imaginative saxophone voice; his affinity with South American music enriches each exchange.

Baptiste Herbin is an alto saxophone virtuoso whose brilliant technique goes hand in hand with real musical depth. Le Jazzophone places him among today’s great improvisers. On Los Arregladores, he puts that command at the service of the group: responding to Minino’s accents, bringing each melody into focus and finding subtlety even in the most intense passages.

Pianist Leo Montana and bassist Felipe Cabrera complete a quartet in which each musician has something to say. Patricio “Tripa” Bonfiglio adds bandoneon to two tracks. Cueca, habanera, landó and chacarera mingle with jazz syncopation; “Llorando se fue” and “La Peregrinación” share space with Monk and Wayne Shorter. The album celebrates arrangers, whose work can turn a familiar piece into a fresh experience.

On the album and its musicians: Qobuz, Latins de Jazz and Le Jazzophone.

“A learned, sensitive and daring album that invites us to hear familiar songs differently; a multicultural musical journey rich in discoveries.”Court-Circuit / Jazz Station · translated from French