The Cuban-American pianist and composer Aruán Ortiz has finally arrived on the international jazz scene, following a few earlier releases. His excellent new album "Hidden Voices" recorded as a trio with bass player Eric Revis and drummer Gerald Cleaver is the proof.

Ortiz, who grew up in Santiago de Cuba, has been called the latest Cuban prodigy to arrive in the US. His carefully structured music is an exciting mix of contemporary classical sounds, afro-cuban rhythms and powerful jazz improvi-sation. All these elements are fused to make a very individual sound.

“I was thinking about this album as a circle with no beginning and no end,” says Aruán Ortiz. After working with seven original works as well as tunes by Ornette Coleman and Thelonious Monk, the 42-year-old has turned to a traditional song “Uno, Dos y Tres, Que Paso Más Chevere,” that “everybody in Cuba knows from festivities and carnivals."

Liner notes: Ted Panken
Photos: Jimmy Katz & Mariona Lloreta

All compositions written and arranged by Aruán Ortiz, except Open & Close and the Sphinx, written by Ornette Coleman, Skippy written by Thelonious Monk, and Uno, Dos y Tres, que paso written by Rafael Ortiz.Recorded March 21, 2015 by Chris Allen at Sear Sound Studios. Mixed May 18 and June 5, 2015 by Chris Allen. Mastered Jun 15, 2015 by Michael Fossenkemper at Turtle Tone Studios NY.