EZkeys MIDI inspired by the Latin jazz genre.
Even though the traditional rhythmic patterns and the unique drum and percussion phrasing of Latin America may have been the catalyst in the development of this niche of jazz, the piano has always played a pivotal role – both as a melodic vehicle but also as the backbone in trios and other smaller configurations post the mid-century big band era.
This EZkeys MIDI pack celebrates Latin jazz and the cauldron of influences, styles and immense width of cultures it brings together under its umbrella. Expect jazz as we know it – but saturated by the unmistakable rhythms, the inimitable melodic language and all the flagrant pastels of Latin music. This is just as ideal for composing backing tracks for jamming purposes as it is for adding a Latin feel to any passage of a song or for writing new ones from the ground up.
This collection of EZkeys MIDI was created in tandem with the Latin Jazz EZbass MIDI and Latin Jazz Grooves MIDI packs. As always, any MIDI pack is great on its own – but combined with its counterparts, they become a powerhouse of creative possibilities!
When and how did you discover your passion for music?
I started music at the Manuel Saumell Music Conservatory in Havana at age nine. But I didn’t find the passion for it until I was about 14 years old. At 14 is when I realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and really concentrated my studies in jazz. Especially 1950s and 1960s jazz recordings of people like Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Clifford Brown were immensely influential to my development as an artist.
How come you ended up playing the piano? Were you always drawn to this specific instrument?
My first instrument was the saxophone (at the conservatory), but luckily for me, everyone that enters the music system in Cuba must learn some piano. When I started playing the piano, I realized a deep connection with the instrument and it came to me a lot easier than the saxophone. I was playing both until I was about 16 years old.
You grew up in Havana, Cuba, and now reside in New York. What is the scene like for Latin music in “The City”?
When I first moved to NYC, the Latin music scene was very vibrant, but after 9/11 it really quieted down and I don’t think it really got back up. I remember there used to be a lot of salsa clubs in the Bronx with live bands. That was my main source of income during my early days in NYC.
For your own productions, you’re a user of both EZkeys and Superior Drummer 3. How do Toontrack’s products help in your creative process?
As a piano player, when I use EZkeys I hardly use the system to play the chords etc., but the sounds are fantastic and I often find myself gravitating to the EZkeys electric pianos. Superior Drummer 3 is another story, hahaha. I use that all the time. I love how even though it’s MIDI you can feel the drummer’s performance in the loop. I use the “Monster MIDI Pack 2 – Odd Meters” one a lot.
To you, what makes a great piano player?
A great (popular music) pianist is not only someone who has a lot of facility on the instrument, but a musician that can mold themselves to the situation they are in and provide what’s needed at the moment.
You have had a long career as a musician, toured all over the world and performed alongside countless artists. Looking back, name some of your personal standout moments.
That’s really hard to pinpoint! I’ve been lucky to have had many great experiences. But I have to say some of my favorite performances have been the times I have performed at Newport Jazz Festival. Newport Jazz festival is almost like the cathedral for jazz and you can feel the energy as you walk through the fort.
Here’s our very own Rikk Currence with three top reasons as to why your songs will thank you for using EZkeys and our collection of EZkeys MIDI.
A playlist of various videos showcasing how to work with EZkeys.
A playlist of various videos showcasing how to work with EZkeys.
This video series demonstrates the workflow of writing music with EZkeys. Learn how to add a piano to match your guitar track, how to find new song parts how to work with several instances of EZkeys.
A working installation of an EZkeys sound library.
