• 01. La Elección 04:20
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Alvaro Is Rojas
Published by Alvaro Is Rojas
• 02. Giant Steps 04:39
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by John Coltrane
Published by Jowcol Music
• 03. A Day in the life 05:43
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Published by Northern Songs
• 04. The Meaning of the Blues 10:49
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Leah Worth, Bobby Troup
Published by Universal Music Corp.
• 05. Come Rain or Come Shine 03:44
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Published by Chappell and Co, Inc.
• 06. He Searched for Plenitude Through Equidistant... 04:37
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Alvaro Is Rojas
Published by Alvaro Is Rojas
• 07. Global Misery 05:14
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Alvaro Is Rojas
Published by Alvaro Is Rojas
• 08. Light Blue 04:20
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Thelonious Monk
Published by Thelonious Music Corporation
• 09. Manhattan in the Spring 06:00
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Hoagy Carmichael
Published by Songs of Peer, Ltd.
• 10. I Tried So Hard 04:27
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Alvaro Is Rojas
Published by Alvaro Is Rojas
• 11. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 02:15
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Charles Mingus
Published by Flying Red Rhino
• 12. You Don't Know What Love Is 08:42
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Don Raye, Gene de Paul
Published by Universal Music Corp.
• 13. Duende 03:07
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Alvaro Is Rojas
Published by Alvaro Is Rojas
• 14. You Are So Beautiful 06:27
Performed by Alvaro Is Rojas
Music by Alvaro Is Rojas
Published by Alvaro Is Rojas

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• Alvaro Is Rojas - piano

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Duende by Alvaro Is Rojas is a reminder of the European origin of the people behind what we know today as "Latin" music. While Latin music itself is a Pan-American phenomenon, a part of its origin lies in Spain and Portugal, whose folk music still has resemblance to most non-swing type grooves in jazz. Duende refers to the Spanish term used in performing arts, especially Flamenco. The meaning of duende as in tener duende (having duende or "having soul") is a rarely-explained - yet recognizable - concept or feeling, having to do with emotion, expression and authenticity. El duende is the spirit of evocation. It comes from inside as physical and emotional response. It is what gives you chills, makes you smile or cry as a bodily reaction to an artistic performance that is particularly expressive. It is thus as universal in its meaning as it is immensely personal and culturally contextual by its nature. It is this tradition, combined with Spanish classical music, which pianist Alvaro Is Rojas has brought into the world of improvised music. On his third album for Blue Music Group, he has found a colorful, yet deep and soulful, form of expression. He improvises freely on jazz standards, but often diverts to his roots in his strong mood-setting introductions and imaginative solos. Additionally, Rojas' original compositions, La Elección, the title track Duende, and most of all Global Misery, demonstrate his background at its strongest. It is this sound which has caught the attention of many pianists - such as Chick Corea - when searching for original and progressive Spanish folk moods.

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