Israel Varela - The Labyrinth Project (2019)

"A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. Its elaborate structure combines circles and spirals in a meandering but purposeful path. It represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world".
Labyrinths have been used for centuries as a tool for meditation and prayer. The music's main objective in the "The Labyrinth Project" is to exit our egos and visit "what is inside" - our sacred space. It's a journey to the center of our deepest self, which enables us to return to the world with a greater understanding of who we are."

Israel Varela | drums, vocals
Florian Weber| piano
Alfredo Paixão | electric bass
Special guest:
Ben Wendel | sax

01. Israel Varela - Flowing Wind (7:09)
02. Israel Varela - Shadow (1:25)
03. Israel Varela - All Directions (5:11)
04. Israel Varela - Ascended Soul (0:56)
05. Israel Varela - Heliópolis (7:38)
06. Israel Varela - Azul (4:16)
07. Israel Varela - Nueve Secretos (3:14)
08. Israel Varela - Cuatro (11:31)

Israel Varela & The Labyrinth Project. A cosmopolitan ensemble led by the renowned Mexican drummer-composer-vocalist that brought together extraordinary world-famous artists of different musical and cultural heritage, giving life to an avant-guarde and refined album with fresh, original atmospheres enriched with pure and free improvisation. It embarks listeners on an authentic journey to mesmerizing soundscapes and evocative atmospheres. Every concert is different, every choice of color, sound, effect, is in harmony. Varela - who has performed with renowned artists such as Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, and Diego Amador - Grammy-nominated Ben Wendel, one of the greatest alto players, together with the exceptional German virtuoso pianist Weber and the mythical Brazilian Grammy Award winner Paixao, offer us a unique concert of its kind.
Israel Varela, drummer-composer-vocalist, born in Tijuana, Mexico is actually a citizen of the world: after his debut in his native country, he moved to the United States to study with Alex Acuna and Dave Weckl, then Milan to study at the conservatory, after that to Spain to study flamenco, and finally settled in Pontinia, Italy. He has collaborated with leading Jazz, Flamenco, Classical and World Pop musicians including Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Yo Yo Ma, Mike Stern, Jorge Pardo, Diego Amador, Rita Marcotulli, Victor Bailey and Pino Daniele.
Ben Wendel, is considered among the best saxophonists in the world and is also highly regarded as a composer. Founding member of the Grammy-nominated group ''Kneebody '', he has collaborated with musicians such as Tigran Hamasyan, Ignacio Berroa, Gerald Clayton, Snoop Dogg, and Prince.
Florian Weber is a firmly established global star. On stage and in the studio, Weber has worked with Tomasz Stańko, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny and Albert Mangelsdorff. Winner of the Steinway Prize for solo piano at the Montreux Festival; 1st prize at the Monaco Jazz competition; ECHO jazz "best national pianist" in the jazz category; the WDR Jazz Prize for improvisation. His first album "Minsarah” was awarded the German record critics prize.
Alfredo Paixao is one of the most requested and respected bass player-composer-vocalists in Italy and abroad. His expansive curriculum of recordings includes Corazon partio and El Alma al Aire by Alejandro Sanz, both awarded with the Latin Grammy and selling millions of copies worldwide, Canailla by Nina Pastori and Vicente Amigo's Ciudad de Las Ideas (also Latin Grammy winner). Alfredo also recorded with Armando Manzanero, Ketama, Pino Daniele, Emanuel and Laura Pausini, to name a few. World Rhythm, Ogum and Fala Baixo are some of his solo recordings.