Iraida Noriega
Ven Conmigo
(Independent)
Regarded as one of the great new voices in Mexican jazz, Iraida Noriega deserves recognition beyond the borders of her country. On Ven Conmigo, recorded live at Mexico City’s Papa Beto Jazz Bistro, the singer’s talent shines through a collection of originals blended with personal renditions of a handful of covers.
On the title track, Noriega – the daughter of Mexican pianist and vocalist Freddy Noriega – scats with steady backing from her trio of bassist Israel Cupich, pianist Nicolas Santella and drummer Luis Mario Rivera. Santella’s dynamic solo transports the tune to even greater heights. Noriega takes a Brazilian detour on Duke Ellington and Peggy Lee’s “I’m Gonna Go Fishin’.” The arrangement enhances the tune’s percussive side, affording plenty of opportunities for the musicians – especially Rivera – to stretch out and explore. Noriega’s “Medicine Doctor” features vibraphonist Miguel Alcérreca, who beautifully interacts with Santella during his solo, and with Noriega on her vocal improvisations.
With luck, North American audiences could catch a Noriega performance in the near future. If she sounds half as good live as she does on disc – and more than a few attendees of this past December’s San Miguel de Allende Jazz and Blues Festival will attest to that – she might be this year’s greatest surprise. – Ernest Barteldes
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I just want to say what a lot of people knows already, that Iraida is without a doubt one of the most intense, propositive and strong jazz singers in México city and people out of mexico should dig on her work, I´m sure you´ll like a lot.