VOA常速英语2008年-'Afro Bop Alliance' Marks New Beginning for Re-

By Doug Levine
Washington
29 April 2008

The departure of two key members of the Caribbean Jazz Project marks a new beginning for the Grammy Award-winning jazz group. VOA's Doug Levine tells us about the formation of an exciting musical alliance between Caribbean jazz and Afro Bop.

When saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera and steel pan player Andy Narell parted ways with the Caribbean Jazz Project, many thought the remaining members would call it quits. But, according to vibraphonist and marimba virtuoso¹ Dave Samuels, who co-founded the group in 1993, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Samuels believes the Caribbean Jazz Project is bigger and better than ever.

Spirits are running high for their latest album, Afro Bop Alliance, featuring an Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble² of the same name. It's a pairing of two Latin jazz forces that surpasses Samuel's goal of being "a musical tour of the Caribbean."

The Caribbean Jazz Project gets a little help from a lot of friends on its latest collection, Afro Bop Alliance. Longtime fans will recognize the album's nine tunes³, previously⁴ recorded by the Caribbean Jazz Project, but updated with a broader range of Latin styles. Among the tracks is John Coltane's Naima, which first appeared on the group's 2002 Grammy-winning release, The Gathering⁵.

Also included are new arrangements of works by Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk⁶ and Oliver Nelson, as well as an original by Dave Samuels, dedicated⁷ to the late jazz drummer Elvin Jones, Five For Elvin.

1 virtuoso   

n.精于某种艺术或乐器的专家，行家里手

参考例句：

• He was gaining a reputation as a remarkable virtuoso.作为一位技艺非凡的大师，他声誉日隆。
• His father was a virtuoso horn player who belonged to the court orchestra.他的父亲是宫廷乐队中一个技巧精湛的圆号演奏家。

2 ensemble   

n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果

参考例句：

• We should consider the buildings as an ensemble.我们应把那些建筑物视作一个整体。
• It is ensemble music for up to about ten players,with one player to a part.它是最多十人演奏的合奏音乐，每人担任一部分。

3 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

5 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

6 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

7 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。