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New York Times article
"In some cases, a trip south is not necessary. The bassist Luques Curtis, 33 — who, along with his brother, Zaccai, recently released “Syzygy,” a strong album of Latin jazz fusions — learned at the elbow of mentors like Andy González (a nominee in the Latin jazz category this year), while also studying straight-ahead jazz at a conservatory." - Giovanni Russonello (New York Times)
curtis Brothers Quartet : Syzygy
“Joined by Richie Barshay on drumset and Reinaldo De Jesus on percussion, they navi- gate bebop, boogaloo, urban, bolero, bomba and rumba grooves on repertoire spanning Bud Powell (“Hallucinations”), Dizzy Gillespie (“Bebop”), Horace Silver (“Quicksilver”), Wayne Shorter (“Yes And No”), Charlie Palmieri (“Start e World”) and Mongo Santamaria (“Afro Blue”) as well as r&b and Tin Pan Alley material. Luques’ syncopation, time feel and note choices refract the essence of such Atomic Era jazz heroes as Paul Chambers, Oscar Pettiford and Wilbur Ware through a tumbao lens informed by González, Bobby Rodriguez and Cachao. ‘I think our ability to combine those different sounds into our own thing—blessed by the elders, you could say—is unique,’ Curtis said. He referred to the aspiration- al message of the ‘Truth Revolution’ imprimatur: ‘It means being a free mind, doing something musically or spiritually positive. That’s our goal.’” - Ted Panken (Downbeat)
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Interview with Tomas Peña "Bassist Rising"
"Before I met or had a working relationship with The Curtis Brothers – Luques and Zaccai – I was a follower. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of watching them grow personally and professionally.
The inspiration for the interview stems from a brief conversation about Luques making the leap from sideman to leader. At the time he was hesitant but, as he states (below), he is slowly warming up to the idea.
If you haven’t noticed (it’s hard not to) Luques is one of the hardest working cats in the music business. When he’s not performing with Eddie Palmieri, he shares with Orrin Evans, Bill O’ Connell, Albert Rivera, Sean Jones, Donald Harrison, Eva Cortes, Gary Burton, Brian Lynch, Little Johnny Rivero and Andy Gonzalez among others.
The future looks bright for Luques Curtis and Truth Revolution Recording Collective, the label he and Zaccai co-founded on the principle that a free mind, and doing something musically and spiritually positive is the way to go." - Tomas Peña (Jazz De La Pena)