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Chembo Corniel

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel studied music at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York City, Pastore Music in New Jersey, and also attended La Escuela National de Arte (ENA) in Havana, Cuba in 1997 and 1999 under the direction of Chucho Valdez. Chembo is a member of the faculty at Purchase College and teaches percussion. Chembo had the pleasure of working/touring and or recording with top artist as Chucho Valdez, Larry Harlow, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, Grady Tate, Hilton Ruiz, Dave Valentin, Willie Colon, Angela Bofill, Steve Wilson, Ray Vega, Buddy Montogmery, Bob Baldwin, Chico Freeman and many more. Chembo now leads his own Latin Jazz quintet “Grupo Chaworo” and also started his record company “Chemboro Records, Inc.” in 2004, working on his third CD production due Summer 2009.

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6
Album Review

Andrea Brachfeld: Brazilian Whispers

Read "Brazilian Whispers" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


While Brazilian Whispers marks Andrea Brachfeld's first thorough exploration of the titular stream of sound, you'd never know it from the results. Teaming up with Bill O'Connell, her longtime pianist and sounding board, the veteran flutist, who's typically engaged in Afro-Cuban affairs or straight ahead suggestions, sounds like she's been playing this music all her life. Rather than spread focus across a massive realm of Brazilian territory, Brachfeld homes in on the music of one of the ...

1
Album Review

Chembo Corniel: Afro-Blue Monk

Read "Afro-Blue Monk" reviewed by Steve Bryant


Nuyrican conguero Wilson “Chembo" Corniel is a member of the Afro-Latin New Wave, and has been making quite a name for himself as an accomplished composer and bandleader. Raised in Brooklyn, Corniel developed and honed his prodigious skills in the musically rich environs of the New York Latin scene. He performed with giants of Latin music including Tito Puente and Machito, as well as the stars of the Fania Records label. Not wanting to limit himself to the Latin dance ...

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Music Industry

Chembo Corniel + Poncho Sanchez

Chembo Corniel + Poncho Sanchez

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

For me, great Latin-jazz is almost exclusively about taste. Since one doesn't become a Latin-jazz musician without extraordinary instrumental and improvisational skills (the music is simply too complex), what separates great recordings from so-so or tedious ones is the artist's choice of material and how the music is served up. For many lay listeners who resist Latin-jazz, their big beef often is excessive, overwhelming percussion and open-ended solos that show off speed and endurance but offer little in the way ...

114

Interview

Chembo Corniel: Wanting and Doing

Chembo Corniel: Wanting and Doing

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

While hanging out with Harry Sepulveda last week, I had to interrupt him mid-sentence. Pointing to the speakers high up on the walls of his Latin-jazz record store, I said, “Hold it, who's this playing?" “Ahhh, Papa, you dig?" Harry said. “It's Chembo Corniel. A monster." I wasn't aware of Chembo [pictured], who plays conga and percussion. But as the CD played on, I had to agree with Harry. Chembo Corniel (pronounced CORN-yell) is one seriously soulful conga player and ...

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Performance / Tour

Creole Restaurant & Music Supper Club ‘Latin Jazz Legacy Series’ Presents Chembo Corniel Latin Jazz Quintet CD Release Party July 10th & 11th 8 & 10 PM

Creole Restaurant & Music Supper Club ‘Latin Jazz Legacy Series’ Presents  Chembo Corniel Latin Jazz Quintet CD Release Party  July 10th & 11th 8 & 10 PM

Source: Ann Forster

Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club continues to raise artistic and showcase standards while invigorating the Harlem Jazz scene and proudly presenting the Latin Jazz Legacy Series – featuring the top artists in the Latin Jazz genre – and kicking off with the Chembo Corniel Latin Jazz Quintet – Friday, July 10th and Saturday, July 11, 8:00 and 10:00 PM at Creole, 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NY, NY 10035. (212) 876-8838. Latin rhythms with Jazz roots reflect ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Ways In

JZAZ Records
2022

buy

Brazilian Whispers

Origin Records
2020

buy

Afro-Blue Monk

Chasm Records
2012

buy

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