CHRIS CORTEZ Awakenings Blue Bamboo Music

Chris Cortez is not just your average musician, putting out an average CD. A consummate musician, Cortez’ skill range has given him the ability to teach advanced jazz guitar studies, play with an assortment of musical groups of varying styles as well as releasing his own vocal and instrumental solo projects.

In 1996 Cortez was named one of the winners in the “Jazziz Magazine Guitars on Fire” contest. With the release of his latest, AWAKENINGS, Cortez once again chooses the path of diversity, offering us a pleasurable and noteworthy concoction of original instrumental tunes with fresh and inventive Latin rhythms.

Opening the set with “Arlington Park,” Cortez (along with fellow band members Glen Ackerman on bass, Ryan Ogrodowicz on drums, Paul Peacock on tenor sax and Devin Collins providing the piano) lets us know right up front he is not afraid to challenge his listeners with innovation and improvisation.

Tender and melodious, “Palmettos” is engaging in its simplicity and gives us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the splendor of Cortez’s guitar talent – You may listen to this selection on SmoothJazz.com Radio.

“Let The Cat Out” scampers and amuses as its namesake implies it should. Absorbing and satisfying, AWAKENINGS is the very essence of COOL.

~BETH LEWIS