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Raised in Detroit, Michigan Lonza Lester discovered his step dad's trumpet as an eight year old and has been working the trumpet as his instrument ever since. He's applied his tone in the big bands of Jimmy Wilkins and Ed Nucelli and alongside jazz notables Marcus Belgrave and Herbie Williams. His footprints have also been left in the R&B world as he has played in those great Motown bands that backed Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and Gladys Knight & The Pips. He came to Los Angeles in **** and has been kept busy in a city that is easy to get lost in. Although his background is varied, Lonza's preference is to play the music that is the oldest child of the Blues, Jazz. And he most likes to play it in a small group setting.
He formed his first small group in **** and hasn't looked back, playing all over Southern California and beyond.
This recording is his first release. As I listened to it, it became immediately obvious that Mr. Lester has learned his craft quite well.
Playing trumpet and flugelhorn, he leads a basic quintet that swells and constricts depending on the song. The one constant in all the different incarnations is the guitarist, Ronald Muldrow, who is also quite the arranger. In fact, Lonza and Ronald split the arranging of the seven tunes and share in the arrangement of the lead song. Monty Alexander's - Monty's Serenade. It's a delightful study in Caribbean and Afro-Cuban rhythms beautifully executed by percussionist Munyungo, and played wonderfully on the tenor saxophone by Benny Maupin, long a fixture in Southern California. Ronald's guitar work is excellent as it leads to Lonza's creative trumpet solo that really seems to balance the intensity and explain the other side of the tune. The rhythm section plays with a maturity and cohesiveness that is undoubtedly brought about by dedication and practice but also by the settling influence of long time Count Basie Band bassist James Leary as he rhythmically mentors the youngsters pianist Donald Vega, a rising star in his own right, and Lorca Hart who has established himself as a world class drummer and veteran recording artist.
Lonza's trumpet plays the role of introducing us to the story that is Cristo Redentor. Performed quite inventively by the Chorale that was arranged by Ronald Muldrow, who also composed the lyrics. Bennie contributes the Bass Clarinet to a harmonious effort that is put forth by all in the band owing to a reverence for the tune.
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