Paquito D'Rivera & Chano Domínguez: Quartier Latin

Two of Latin jazz's best-known practitioners, Spanish pianist-composer Chano Domínguez and Cuban-born saxophonist-clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera, join forces for the first time in this 2006 concert recorded at the Teatro Real in Madrid. Backed by four able musicians, the pair take the stage on the Latin Quarter set from a production of Puccini's La Bohème, which explains the inclusion of an arrangement by D'Rivera based on one of the opera's arias. The eight other pieces include a bossa by D'Rivera, versions of songs by Duke Ellington and Nat Simon, and five pieces composed by Domínguez. Featuring fluid widescreen camerawork (captured on high definition video) and superb sound (with Dolby Digital surround and stereo options), this invigorating collection of jazz tunes with saucy touches of flamenco, bossa, bolero, and rumba should have wide appeal. DVD extras include a music-only option that omits the song introductions and verbal interplay between the players. Recommended. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)