Marita Albán Juárez Quartet - Jazmines (2022) [Hi-Res]

The quartet comprises Polish-Peruvian siblings Marita and her brother José Manuel, Dominik Wania and Andrzej Święs. They explore themes ranging from tropicalismo and Afro-Peruvian music to free improvised forms that extend beyond Latin jazz. Their first album, Aguas Calientes (Youkali Music, 2015), was dominated by an intense groove section, a dazzling piano sound with sweeping harmonies and a sensitive interpretation of consciously chosen lyrics accentuating the issues of equality and feminism.
The quartet’s music has been broadcast by stations in Poland, Spain and the UK. The musicians regularly perform in the most interest clubs (possessing a piano) and music festivals.
Their second disc, Jazmines (premiered in December 2022), was recorded live at the Jassmine club in Warsaw. The seven works on Jazmines are original compositions immersed in Afro-Peruvian and Latin American sources and in all those which the quartet’s musicians hear in their musical imagination and in reality. As usual, the themes revolve around what is most important in life – love, freedom – although seen from a broader perspective than in previous works.
As Marita says: ‘The lyrics were written quite recently, following my sisterly conversations with women from Peru, Chile, the UK, the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Poland. All these women speak with one voice’.

Marita Albán Juárez vocals
Dominik Wania piano
Andrzej Święs bass & bass guitar
José Manuel Albán Juárez drums