Official website of Nick Ali & CRUZAO

Nick Ali & CRUZAO

Led by young Trinidadian born, New York trained trumpet player Nick "The Brownman" Ali, who himself has just under 100 CD recording credits as a side man to his name, this hard hitting latin-jazz unit funkifies it's audiences with Brownman's original latin-funk compositions and high-energy virtuositic jazz soloists. The amalgamation of authentic latin rhythm, jazz harmony and modern funk groove, this group began it's career as a musical experiment for Brownman in the tonal qualities of latin music composed in a chordless setting (no piano, no guitar). Since the late '50s jazz musicians have richly explored this unique musical texture creating a 5 decade chordless jazz tradition, however this texture had never been explored in Latin America, due to the dominance and omni-presence of the piano "montuno" or equivalent guitar structures.

The result of this musical experiment - Nick Ali & Cruzao - the first chordless latin-jazz-funk unit in history -

Cruzao is modeled in that jazz tradition of 'the chordless quintet',and takes the same approach in a latin-jazz context.

Featuring the Ali Brothers - Nick "The Brownman" and Marcus Ali - and dedicated to the amalgamation of latin rhythm, jazz harmony and funk groove, Cruzao. explores the inner workings of these artforms through Brownman's original compositions, intense *improvisation-interaction and raw energy.

Discography

Media Files