JONATHAN SUAZO "RICANO VOL. 2 - FRUTO DE MI CORAZÓN" ALBUM RELEASE
Jonathan Suazo, Francisco Alcalá, Zaccai Curtis, Ian Ashby
The Jazz Gallery1160 Broadway, New York 10001
Jonathan Suazo brings his working quartet to The Jazz Gallery for the release of Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón, with Suazo on alto saxophone, Zaccai Curtis on piano, Ian Ashby on upright bass, and Francisco Alcalá on drums. The music joins jazz improvisation to rhythms including plena, bomba, pambiche, salve and cuembé.
The Puerto Rican saxophonist, composer and educator coined “Ricano” as a blend of Puertorriqueño and Dominicano, reflecting the Puerto Rican and Dominican roots in his work. The New York Times called the first Ricano “richly built, effusively played Latin jazz, written from the heart and packed with complexity,” while Jazz Views praised Suazo’s “bright, commanding tone.”
The Jazz Gallery offers a focused listening room experience on the fifth floor of a Midtown office building, where the audience gathers to hear progressive jazz performed by emerging and established artists. The space is designed to highlight the music without distractions: seating is arranged to bring listeners close to the performers, fostering a direct connection with the sound. There is no food service, but a bar is available, and ticket prices are modest, encouraging accessibility. Shows typically run from 7 to 11 pm on select nights, featuring multiple sets that invite deep engagement rather than casual socializing. The venue’s commitment to artistic growth is evident in its support for new compositions and collaborations, making an evening here a chance to witness jazz as a living, evolving art form in a setting that respects both the musicians and the audience.