Athenas

The musical styles of this contemporary jazz group are as varied as its members themselves. Within the innards of this group you can find the clave of Latin music, the groove of Kansas City swing, and the jumping rhythms of the Caribbean. On their debut album, Let The Music Play, Athenas provides a little bit of something for every musical taste. Jazz, Funk, Latin, Swing - it's like the United Nations of Music. The album's 9 compositions are mainly of the contemporary jazz variety and they are a true reflection of the many moods of Athenas. With the caliber of musicianship that exists in this group, music can only be understood as a medium through which communication is possible - nothing less. And of course, the basis of that concept lies in the fact that the members of Athenas all share a musical background that is rooted in Jazz - one of the many 'dialects' of music. And to help accomplish their task, Athenas recruited 2 formidable diplomats of Jazz -- trumpeter Pete Minger and percussionist Bobby Thomas for a few cuts.

Pete Minger's resume reads like the definitive Who's Who of Jazz. Not that you haven't heard that expression before; but in this case its appropriateness can't be overstated. However, Pete is probably best-known for his work with the Count Basie Orchestra and for his stint with The Tonight Show Band. On Let Let The Music Play, Pete takes us on a Latin excursion with the song 'Que Sabor'. Pete's trumpet solo adds the proverbial 'last straw' to the mix; sending the entire song over the edge. Hey! Diplomacy is great work -- if you can get it.

Percussionist Bobby Thomas was a member of Weather Report as well as of the Joe Zawinul Syndicate. Impeccable time is without a doubt a pre-requisite for playing with either of these notoriously groove-intensive groups; and impeccable time is definitely an attribute of Bobby Thomas. On Let The Music Play, Bobby's lively and spiritual percussion work can stand on its own as a true accompaniment to the rest of the music. This is a testament to Bobby's gift for finding his spot within the music - a challenge for any musician on any instrument.

On this album, Athenas performs 8 of their original compositions written by various members of the group as well as 'Can We Talk', a #1 R&B Single originally sung by Tevin Campbell and produced by Babyface. Since the musical styles on this album are varied, it is an interesting (but not difficult) journey. The group was formed four years ago by musicians who sharpened their chops by playing throughout the South Florida area with different groups until discovering each other. The chemistry that existed at that time is what keeps this group bonded as a solid unit to this day.

Guitarist Jorge Garcia brings all the richness of Latin rhythms from his birthplace of Cuba into the folds of this ensemble. Garcia's intense passion for his instrument is immediately visible while audible through his soulful compositions. Impeccable, melodic solos and supportive, rhythmic guitar work are Garcia's trademark and are always a joy to experience. As a matter of fact, Garcia's sensitivity to his fellow musicians is uncharacteristic in the land of the 'guitar-slinger'.

Complex chord structures and a knack for creating equally complex compositions are two things that Kansas-born native Paul Banman has come to be known for among his fellow musicians. Paul is a favorite with vocalists because of his unusual ability to merge his musical ideas and inspiration with those of the vocalist who he happens to be accompanying. This is always truly a magical moment both for fellow bandmates as well as for listeners who are usually left dazzled. And as if that's not enough, Paul can also swing with the best of them! Not that growing up so close to Kansas City 'had nothin' to do with that', but Paul has also fine-tuned his skills at the world-renowned University of Miami School of Music.

Bassist Tony Smith was born on the tropical island of St.Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Growing up in an environment bursting with rhythmic music and a colorful culture is an experience that has given Tony a solid foundation on which to develop a tremendously diverse vocabulary of rhythmic styles. An early exposure to Calypso, Reggae, Soca, and R&B can be considered a delicacy in the world of the contemporary rhythm player. And of course, being classically trained on the trumpet only helps to give Tony an even more diverse palette of useful ideas.

Athenas as a group exemplifies a very simple formula that time after time results in outstanding accomplishments: excellent musicianship + tasteful music. This simple combination is what Athenas uses to ensure that their brand of music will continue to satisfy audiences well into the future.