This wonderful series of complete album transcriptions by Erik Veldkamp is a study of the Afro-Cuban style of trumpet playing. Machito’s band is the quintessential example of the genre, and his trumpeters are the finest lead players of his generation. One of the most notable trumpet players associated with Machito’s band was Mario Bauzá. Bauzá was a prominent figure in the development of Afro-Cuban jazz and played a pivotal role in shaping Machito’s sound.

“Barbarabae” gets things off to a very fast and jazzy start. A bossa nova returns to its samba beginnings with grunts (and some words from Graciela) and Walter Wanderley-esque organ. Almost the same formula plus flute continues the attack in a pachanga. The last track on side one, Ray Santos’ “Azulito,” really sets things aflame. This is jazz horn-blowing worthy of much earlier Machito with Dizzy Gillespie. Graciela gets carried away with “Tocame.” Whether it is cha cha cha, mambo, bossa nova, pachanga, or latin jazz, in this album it cooks.

These books each include the full lead trumpet part, plus any trumpet solos featured in the tunes. You can follow along with the original albums and hear exactly how they are meant to be played.

Below you will find a full writeup on the album, plus the song list. To the left, you can find some samples, and above you can grab an immediate digital download.

Song List

1. Barbarbae
2. Tu No Cambiaras
3. Coisa Nova
4. Llevate Esa
5. Selina
6. Azulito
7. Ni Chi Chi – Cha Cha Cha
8. Tocame
9. Eddy & Dany
10. Ritmo Pa’ Gozar
11. Spanish Harlem Express
12. Que Lindo Es Amar