Born in Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents, Chembo was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn. It was during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as, Tommy Lopez Sr., "Little Ray" Romero, Louie Bauza, and Cachete Maldonado.
Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the great Chucho Valdés.
His intense studies with such legends noted above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson "Chembo" Corniel has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the public. Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around.
Chembo teaches percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music a also at The Collective and leads numerous clinics throughout the United States where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions. Among his credits, Chembo was chosen to create his own instructional DVD called, "An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume I—Congas". It was released in December of 2000 and with distribution by Warner Brothers it has been a success.
He's been a vital endorser of Latin Percussion instruments since 1982 as he is currently for Remo drum heads, Vic Firth sticks and Sabian cymbals.
His touring credits are as long as his performing credits. Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the "Bill Cosby Show" and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon's children show, "Dora the Explorer".
Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz quintet, "Chembo & Grupo Chaworó". This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states:
"a sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with 'un chin' de charanga."
ARTISTS: RECORDINGS:
Chembo Corniel & Andrea Brachfeld - Beyond Standards - 2006
Wilson "Chembo" Corniel – Portrait In Rhythms - 2004
Ray Vega - Squeeze Squeeze- 2004
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – Paradise In Trouble - 2003
Steve Wilson - Soulful Songs - 2003
Larry Harlow's Latin Jazz - Live At Birdland -12/02
Chico Freeman - By The Way -4/2002
Ray Vega - Pa'lante -3/2002
Blood, Sweat & Tears - Christmas Album -12/02
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS – The Other Side - 4/2001
David Gonzalez & LLB – Sofrito- 3/2000
Bobby Sanabria BIG BAND-Live At Birdland -2/2000 (Grammy Nominated)
Chris Washburne & SYOTOS - Nuyorican Nights -10/99
Ray Vega – Boperation- 8/99
Larry Harlow - Latin Legends Band - 5/98
The Bronx Horns - Silver in the Bronx - 4/98
Greg Abate - Sweet Samba - 3/98
Buddy Montgomery Trio - Here Again -1/98
Ray Vega - Ray Vega -12/97
Willie Colón - Honra y Cultura
Louie Ramirez - El Genio de la Salsa
Jose Bello - Jose Bello y su Orchestra
Bobby Rodriguez y la Compañia – Hay Que Cambiar La Rutina
La Sonora Ponceña - Back To Work (Bata)
ARTISTS: TOURS/PERFORMANCES:
·Chucho Valdés
·Hilton Ruiz
·Buddy Montgomery
·Angela Bofill
·Tito Puente
·Larry Harlow
·Willie Colón
·Ray Vega
·Bobby Sanabria Big Band
·Charlie Sepulveda
·Blood, Sweat & Tears
·Jose Alberto "El Canario"
·Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez
·Orchestra Broadway
·Tito Nieves
·Louie Ramirez
·Chico Freeman
·Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana
·Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band
·Chico O'Farrill Big Band
·Bobby Rodriguez y Compañia
Wilson "Chembo" Corniel | Chemboró Records, Inc (2007)
By Chip Boaz comments
Our expectations shape our listening experiences, even before we hear an artist's recorded work. We anticipate musical genres based on a musician's past and assume that the bandleader will be featured prominently. We judge unfamiliar artists on their instrument, album covers, or websites; and then we decide whether that artist deserves our attention. Once we listen to a recording, we constantly compare how the work aligns with our pre-conceived notions. Percussionist Chembo Corniel shatters all expectations on For The Rest of Your Life with a diverse exploration of Latin jazz approaches.
Many tracks emphasize Latin rhythms, but maintain complex harmonies and open forms found in traditional jazz. A spacious melody glides over a Guaguanco in "Chaworó en la Calle," eventually giving way to flugelhornist John Walsh's nimble jazz phrasing. Saxophonist Ivan Renta meshes bebop melodies and intricate rhythms, before the band breaks down to percussion and vocals. The group revisits Emiliano Salvador's classic "Puerto Padre" with a sensitive melodic interpretation. Pianist Tino Derado shapes a personal statement until flautist Oriente Lopéz's rhythmic improvisation moves over a strong montuno. Corniel shines through an assertive conga solo, played with fierce musicality. These tracks clearly display Corniel's balance of rhythmic integrity and focused jazz roots.
Several songs highlight improvisation and intricate harmonic movement while keeping a connection to Latin rhythms. The rhythm section introduces "Rejuvenate" with a short vamp until the melody rides over swing and Latin rhythms. Alto saxophonist Bobby Porcelli develops bebop-flavored lines while showcasing fiery Latin syncopations. Vocalist Grady Tate's expressive qualities demand focused attention as "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" builds into a subdued mix of ballad and bolero. Porcelli shapes an introspective statement until Tate completes an album highlight performance. Corniel exposes another side to his experience on these tracks, exploring a variety of jazz approaches.
Other pieces present folkloric rhythms, touching on Cuban traditional music. Vocalist Pedro Martinez opens a short canto on "Orunmila," soon accompanied by Corniel, David Gomez, and Louie Bauzo on bata. The piece's sparse texture creates a defined mood until a strong coro accompanies Martinez. Corniel and Bauzo display their rumbero roots on "Sueña Negrito," playing traditional cajones. Corniel delivers a passionate quinto performance that exposes his deep love for rumba. These authentic songs bring a studied and passionate side to his musicianship.
One might expect a conguero to create a percussion heavy salsa-jazz album, but Corniel easily sidesteps that unfair judgment with a firm connection to both jazz and Latin music. Many songs utilize Latin rhythms, but they work purely as jazz performances. At the same time, Corniel's technique, style, and musical choices constantly reflect his wealth of Latin music experience and in-depth stylistic knowledge. His inclusion of folkloric music displays historical knowledge and commitment to the full breadth of the style. As Corniel reminds us with his outstanding work, expectations should be forgotten and we should simply open our ears and find new, refreshing music.
Visit Wilson "Chembo" Corniel on the web.
Track listing: Chaworó En La Calle; Nuyorican Groove; Melodies; Rejuvenate; What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?; Freedom Drive; Puerto Padre; Orunmila; Sueña Negrito; Moon Temple/Ochun.
Personnel: Wilson "Chembo" Corniel: tumbadoras, bata (okonkolo), quinto, talking drum, cajón quinto, shekere, clave, guataca, guiro; Ivan Renta: tenor sax, soprano sax; Ruben Rodriguez: acoustic bass; Tino Derado: piano; Vince Cherico: drums; Bobby Porcelli: alto sax (4, 5); John Walsh: flugelhorn (1); Oriente Lopéz: flute (7); John Dimartino: piano (5); Pedro Martinez: vocals (1, 7, 8, 10); Lisa Maria Sale: vocals (1, 7, 8, 10); Pedro Domech: voclas, clave (9); Johanna Castaneda: vocals (9); Louie Bauzo: bata (Iya), cajones, palitos, shakers; David Gomez: bata (itotele); Jorge Maldonado: guira (3).
Style: Latin/World | Published: November 11, 2007
