Miriam Jarquin and Blues Latino

Miriam Jarquin and Blues Latino

     Prior to performing with Carole Camara, Miriam Jarquin embarked upon her career in 1977 with the Choir of Orquestra Sinfonica Nacional in San Jose. Four years later, in 1981, she became the lead singer for the rock band Chacal. In the nine year span between 1985 and 1994, she sang lead with Igni Ferroave, DCO and Route 66, and even did some work with Jazz Garbo. In 1991, she formed Academia de Musica Moderna with Carlos Pardo and Carlos Sanders. Yes, Miriam Jarquin has paid her dues and has the receipts to prove it.

     Hector Murillo had studied at the Conservatorio de Castella, where he later became a music teacher. After a two year stint in Chicago, he returned to Costa Rica to work at Academia Moderna, where he would meet and work with the aforementioned Sra. Jarquin. After a short stint together in Jazz Garbo, the two decided to form their own band, veering in a different direction musically and calling the venture Blues Latino. Now, they have released a CD of their collective effort on the renowned Papaya label. They recruited Checko Davida to play saxophone and flute, Pepe Chacon to perform their percussive tasks and with Sr. Pardo on bass guitar, vocal accompaniment and Hector on keyboards. Joining them on seven of the thirteen original songs on background vocals is the acclaimed Marta Fonseca, who has also provided vocal tracks for Grammy winners Editus, among other bands.

Miriam belting it out Live

     The result, according to Murillo, is “born from a deep experience in classical music, the improvisation of modern jazz, the power of rock and the restlessness of our original music.” The album, dedicated to the memory of Miriam’s father, her musical inspiration, definitely lives up to its own hype. Sra. Jarquin has a voice as sweet and clean as any fruit from Costa Rica. Her torch songs are as warm and breathy as a local tropical breeze. And Murillo juxtaposes between piano and accordion to accommodate the mood of each particular song. Pardo’s bass riffs carry the rhythm with a solid beat that sticks every time.

     The CD opens with “Blues de Hatillo” and “Capullito de Aleli”, two catchy, very danceable tunes. “Que Vamos a Hacer” is a dreamy number with lilty, electric piano meandering through it. The entire album alternates in this mode: between upbeat, finger-snapping songs to torchers guaranteed to burn the house and your heart down. And the band was smart enough to include three instrumental numbers in the collection, to add to the overall span of the album. This CD is a very impressive recording, especially considering it is their first.

    

     Blues Latino is available at Jaime Peligro book stores in Playa Tamarindo, Nuevo Arenal and Quepos, where they will gladly sample the music for their customers.All comments concerning this article are welcome.