Tenor saxophonist/violinist Jose "Chombo" Silva was supposed to record with
Jerry Gonzalez's Fort Apache Band, but a stroke in 1994 ended his career and (a year later) his life. Rumbajazz is a tribute to the late Chombo, consisting mostly of songs that he had previously recorded (including "Perfidia," "Perdido," "Mongorama," and "Guajira at the Blackhawk") plus a few tributes. Victor Payano and David Sanchez are heard on tenors, Ricardo Davia Canino plays violin on one song, and the other musicians include bassist
Andy Gonzalez, trumpeter
Jerry Gonzalez, and various percussionists. There are also two trios by the Gonzalez brothers and drummer
Jimmy Rivera. A lightly swinging set of melodic music. ~ Scott Yanow