The Pace Report: "Visiting Bienestan" The Aaron Goldberg and Guillermo Klein Interview

Pianist Aaron Goldberg musically created a new musical world with the help of Argentinean composer and pianist Guillermo Klein in what would become "Bienestan." The Sunnyside Records release is a fuse of straight-ahead jazz mixed with world music influences featuring alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon, saxophonist Chris Cheek, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. Klein takes a break from playing piano and plays the Fender Rhodes electric piano and serves as the music director for the touring ensemble.
The musicians play a cadre of new music as well as standards on "Bienestan." This unit boldly takes on the Charlie Parker classic "Moose the Mooche," which is a pretty stark and crass take on the legend's music in a more contemporary and innovative style that jazz fans will really appreciate. Other standards include "All the Things You Are and "Manhã de Carnaval (Black Orpheus)." Their new originals like "Airplane Fugue," "Burrito," and "Yellow Roses" showcase the pure genius and artistic space and growth both Aaron and Guillermo have showcased throughout their 20 years in jazz music.
Aaron Goldberg hails from Boston, Massachusetts was playing and studying piano by the time he was 8. Goldberg has played with the likes of Betty Carter, Joshua Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Madeleine Peyroux, and Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He made his debut as a leader in 1999 with disc "Turning Point."
Guillermo Klein hails from Argentina and began studying music while in his teens. He played rock guitar and tried studying classical music at the conservatory. But due to his lack reading music, he as kicked out and decided to study music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Upon graduating school, Klein formed his band Los Guachos where he recorded and played at the legendary Smalls Jazz Club in New York City for almost a decade.

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This is one of those albums that you listen from start to finish every time!