| World Jazz |
If the cover of this album might strike you as timeless, its contents are something else entirely. From the very first notes of the opening track, the quality of the compositions is immediately evident. For those of us who receive dozens of albums each week, that first track is often decisive; and here, what appears to be a classical style blends seamlessly with a fusion of jazz, drawing inspiration from classical, popular, and other musical genres—a true pleasure to listen to. Entre Amigos, a Chicago-based group featuring rising stars Roy McGrath, Hana Fujisaki, Kitt Lyles, and Gustavo Cortiñas, brings forth the art of collaborative writing and performance.
At a time when nearly every artist seems to pursue their own solo trajectory, striving to establish an individual name, discovering a genuine ensemble—a band where musicians unite their emotions and talents, surrendering individual egos to form a unified, luminous identity—feels like a refreshing, invigorating plunge for the listener, distinctly contrasting with the sounds of a lone, brilliant mind. Here, where the individual is transformed into a character, the group becomes an entity: an infinitely refreshing soundscape, where the interplay of minds opens a world of unforeseen possibilities. Such is the beauty and impact of Entre Amigos, who, fresh from a month-long tour across Asia with near-nightly performances, dove into the studio upon their return to record Entre Amigos, the product of weeks of preparation, arrangement, and meticulous refinement of a repertoire they know as well as they know each other.
The result is fascinating. One senses that the musicians brought a touch of inspiration from their travels, and there’s a playful engagement with each member’s contribution, as the ear revels in arrangements that are as clever as they are joyous, sweeping through emotions that range from the most romantic to the most rhythmic. The formation of Entre Amigos formally marked the celebration of ten years of musical friendship. Originally organized by Roy McGrath, these four friends united to create a collaborative ensemble reflecting both their unique voices and the enduring relationships they share, all catalyzed by their tour across Asia. Yet the tour was not the end goal; it served as a spark to craft music that would capture their collective identity, ready to record upon their return. This vision was realized between January 29 and 31, 2024, when, staying true to their dream, the musicians went straight from the plane to the studio to record sixteen tracks, divided between *Entre Amigos* and their upcoming album.
The creative journey varies for each artist, yet one thing remains universal—the influence of the stage. Here, it’s a multi-headed force that has brought forth this beautiful alchemy within Entre Amigos. Chosen as both the name of the group and the debut album, Entre Amigos, or “Among Friends” in Spanish, encapsulates the multicultural spirit of these musicians and the joyful ambiance that permeates the album. At the heart of their music lies a playful, free spirit, expressed in the tradition of jazz jam sessions where musicians come together to play, to share a moment.
We can only applaud this beautiful endeavor. Though Chicago may be far, we can only hope that Entre Amigos might pass through Austin someday; it would be a joy to witness this magical moment in person. However, it’s definitely deserving of a top spot as one of our favorites (“coup de coeur”) for 2024.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 7th 2024
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