Juan de Diego & Grebalariak (the strikers)

The restless and prolific trumpet player from Bilbao, Juan De Diego, is back with a new project, and that is always good news for lovers of the bold, elegant and nuanced jazz that he always exudes. Grebalariak (the strikers), recorded on this occasion in a novel format never used by Juan until now, of an acoustic quartet (piano, double bass, drums and trumpet) is no exception and adds a point of rest to his compositions and rhythms that allows us to appreciate in detail the delicacy with which the melodies are woven into a colorful and beautiful tapestry of sounds. In a be-bop register with classical features, built with a vivacity that knows more, much more, of pure enjoyment in the personal exploration of its infinite possibilities than of mere nostalgic recreation.

Grebalariak (the strikers) is based on 10 previously unpublished compositions by Juan himself and features contributions from three superb and sought-after artists: the Mallorcan pianist Toni Vaquer, the double bass player Pere Loewe and the drummer Ramón Prats. Pere has performed with artists such as David Allyn, Gorka Benítez, Chano Domínguez, or Perico Sambeat and has been a member of various Big Bands and Symphony Orchestras such as the one from the Barcelona Conservatory or the Julià Carbonell in Lleida. Ramón graduated from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC) and has been a member of groups such as Adel Lee Davis Big Band, Mediterraneum Ensemble, Liquid Trio, Sindicato Ornette, Movin’ Wes, MAP, Morgat Morgat as a sideman, highlighting the duo Duot with the drummer Albert Cirera. Finally, Toni is one of the great promises of jazz piano today; trained at the Conservatori Liceu and with a Master’s degree from the Berklee College of Music, specializing in composition and arrangements and bringing his talent to various projects in addition to his work as a professor in the Department of Jazz and Modern Music at the Conservatori Liceu. Musicians, therefore, with extensive stage and teaching experience, especially in the case of Pere, whose Brazilian and Latin preferences slip in through small drifts that make this delicious collection even more appetizing. Juan de Diego, who has lived in Barcelona since 1993, is no slouch and has been part of projects such as Freaky Trio, Juan de Diego Trio, Juan de Diego Trakas, DEDIEGO BROTHERS, both as a solo and shared leader. He has performed and recorded alongside Benny Golson, Nicholas Payton, Jesse Davis, Frank Wess, Perico Sambeat, Jeff Ballard, Armando Manzanero, Olga Guillot and Ruper Ordorika.

Grebalariak (the strikers) does not forget the sociopolitical concerns that always permeate Juan’s albums, and in this case he refers to the 100th anniversary of the general strike of La Canadiense in 1919. Thanks to it, among other things, the 8-hour work day was established, and the song Greba itself is dedicated to those people who fought and gave their lives for it. He also doesn’t forget to leave a small nod to Jack Johnson and the disastrous consequences of his resounding victory over the white boxing champion in the African-American community. Thus, he became a symbol of struggle, to which the great Miles Davis referred at the time with a tribute album and whose echoes resonate in the beautiful phrasings of Juan’s trumpet. Tribute, commitment and pure sonic pleasure.