Review Text
The Emergence Of A New Piano Stylist Samuel Quinto guides his trio through Salsa' N Jazz with a fiery passion, firmly based upon his broad musicianship and accomplished performance skills. As a pianist, Quinto repeatedly displays highly developed technical abilities, a deep knowledge of harmony, and a keen insight into melodic creation. His improvisations scream with a fiery spontaneity and a jazz intensity while his melodic interpretations reflect a thoughtful and reflective musician. He often reveals a strong Michel Camilo influence with bits of Chick Corea and Chucho Valdes thrown into the mix. Quinto has built upon these references extensively though, forging his own voice through a creative investigation of these musicians. His compositions serve as perfect showcases for his skills, displaying the wide range of his musicianship in full view. He manages to prioritize expression throughout his writing, mixing his extensive technical ability with well-constructed ideas. Santiesteban and Borges act as an ideal rhythm section behind Quinto's strong musical personality. They unobtrusively support his work at every turn, making musical choices that benefit each song. When given the opportunity to step into the spotlight, they appear as solid soloists with distinct personalities. With all these elements in place, Quinto holds the weight of the trio upon his shoulders with style and ease on Salsa' N Jazz, strongly declaring the emergence of a new piano stylist. The Latin Jazz Corner, July 23th, 2009.
