Venezuelan percussionist Gerardo Rosales and French pianist and arranger Guillaume Marcenac, who present their most recent album entitled “Charanjazz,” released on July 8, 2025.
This work masterfully fuses the sophistication of jazz with the contagious energy of Afro-Cuban rhythms, leading to a rich, diverse and deeply rhythmic musical proposal.
The duo finds inspiration in the golden age of the Cuban Big Bands and the great masters of the genre such as Bebo Valdés, Cachao and Pérez Prado, offering a production that pays tribute to the legacy of Latin jazz.
The album stands out for its impeccable execution and instrumental wealth. Topics such as Charanjazz and “Mambo pa” Gozarlo, deploying the full power of the band, with an irresistible Caribbean swing in the hands of Marcenac’s piano and Rosales’ explosive percussion.
Violinist Myrthe Van de Weetering provides a unique sensitivity, while Patricia Manchéño on bass and Cuban vocalist Eduardo (Coco) Alfonso complete a luxury formation.
Compositions like Come to the House and Colinas de Bello Monte explore from the traditional Venezuelan airs to the danzón, achieving a connection between the popular and the academic, the festive and the refined.
With this production, Gerardo Rosales and Guillaume Marcenac not only consolidate their place on the international scene of Afro-Latin jazz, but also bring a fresh work that revives classic sounds with a modern and elegant approach.
Charanjazz is not just an album: it is a musical journey that crosses borders, unites cultures and demonstrates the power of sound mestizaje.
His contribution enriches the evolution of contemporary Latin jazz, positioning them as indispensable references in the dialogue between tradition and innovation.