In a thrilling recognition for Hartford’s local jazz scene, hometown pianist and composer Zaccai Curtis has scored a Grammy nomination for his album Cubop Lives, which celebrates the lively, rhythm-rich genre known as Cubop, or Afro-Cuban Bebop. Curtis, a celebrity in the jazz community, is up for the Grammy award in the Latin Jazz category, marking a significant milestone in his career as a band leader and composer.
Curtis’s Cubop Lives is a tribute to the Latin Jazz genre that fused the complex rhythms and harmonies of Afro-Cuban music with American Bebop, a combination that became popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Musicians like Tito Puente, Machito, and Dizzy Gillespie helped propel the genre, blending Cuban percussion with jazz improvisation in a sound both bold and groundbreaking.
“Cubop isn’t something you hear much these days,” Curtis explained, “but itâs the music I fell in love with. It has a rich history that a lot of people have moved away from, but I feel so connected to it.” Curtis says his album is akin to a âperiod pieceâ that brings this musical era back into the spotlight. “I don’t play Cubop every day,” he admitted, “but itâs music that speaks to me on a deep level. Bringing it to new audiences feels like honoring its history and keeping it alive.”
Curtis was born in Hartford, Connecticut, where he developed a reputation as a virtuosic pianist with a deep respect for jazzâs many styles. His career has taken him from New Yorkâs jazz clubs to international stages, where heâs performed alongside well-known artists and contributed to Grammy-winning projects. However, this is his first nomination for an album of his own, which Curtis calls both “surreal” and “exciting.”
One standout aspect of Cubop Lives is Curtis’s ability to assemble a talented group of musicians skilled in the intricacies of Latin Jazz. Among his collaborators is his brother, Luques Curtis, a noted jazz bassist, and other top musicians who share Curtisâs love for Cubop. Curtis commented on the camaraderie within his ensemble: âIâm lucky to have found musicians who understand the nuances of Cubop. They bring authenticity and passion to the music, and thatâs what makes it special.”
The album Cubop Lives features both original compositions and new arrangements of Cubop standards, putting a fresh spin on classic songs while remaining true to their rhythmic core. Curtis explained, âI wanted to respect the original music but also offer something new. The arrangements on this album are uniqueâtheyâre designed to honor the past but with a twist that feels current.â
While Curtis is not of Cuban heritage, he emphasized the cultural connections jazz musicians share with Latin music. âJazz has always been a genre that embraces influences from everywhere,â he said. âAfro-Cuban music and jazz share a common language in rhythm and spirit. So even though Iâm not Cuban, I feel a deep connection to this music and its legacy.â
The Grammy nomination is a proud moment for Curtis and his family, as well as for the Hartford jazz community that has supported him since the start of his career. His fans are eagerly awaiting the Grammy Awards ceremony in February, where Cubop Lives will compete against other nominees in the Latin Jazz category. Curtis remains humble yet hopeful about his chances, emphasizing that his primary goal is to share this unique style with a broader audience.
For Curtis, this nomination is more than a personal achievement; itâs an opportunity to revive and celebrate a cherished genre of jazz that deserves to be heard by new generations. âTo see Cubop get recognition on a Grammy levelâitâs incredible,â he shared. âI just hope people listen, feel the rhythm, and love it as much as I do.â
This Grammy nod is not only a testament to Curtisâs talents but also a reminder of jazzâs vibrant history and its power to bring people together through music.
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