Monday Recommendation: Gabriel Alegría Sextet

Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet 10 (Zoho)

Trumpeter Alegría’s resourceful band of Peruvians and New Yorkers (Newyoruvians?) continue to meld Latin and North American traditions. Their stimulating fifth album alternates between the continents and blends musics, including an intriguing combination of “Take Five” and “El Condor Pasa.” A blistering version of the traditional “Taita Guaranguito” and other tracks are pure Latin fire. A decade following their debut, the sextet’s success allowed Alegría to attract major artists to join in this demonstration of compatibility and versatility. Among them are bassists Ron Carter and Essiet Essiet, pianists Arturo O’Farrill and Russell Ferrante and tablas master Badal Roy. The repertoire includes the Peruvian and US anthems. Tenor saxophonist Laura Andrea Leguía finds a throbbing Latin vein in her solo on “The Star Spangled Banner.” Over a bed of insistent percussion, she and Alegría are haunting in Ornette Coleman’s “Lonely Woman.”