JOHN CALLOWAY

Diaspora
(Bombo Music)

The flute of John Calloway helped to spark a Caribbean musical renaissance in the 1970s, as part of the neo-traditionalist band Tipica Cienfuegos. With a cast that included John Santos, Greg Landau, Anthony Blea and others, this Bay Area band bred leaders and inspired its members to dig into the history of their instruments in the Cuban and Puerto Rican traditions. Calloway was bitten by the charanga bug and Left for New York City in 1980 to explore. He returned periodically, in between his studies and stints with Manny Oquendo & Libre, Charanga 76, Oscar Hernandez, Jimmy Bosch and others, to write, record and sit in with Batachanga, the evolutionary offshoot of Tipica Cienfuegos. His joining Batachanga for their second album, Mañana Para Los Niños, marked Calloway's return to the Bay Area music scene in the late 1980s. It was there that he exhibited his creative side as an arranger and composer. Since then, his work as co-director of the acclaimed Machete Ensemble and a long string of resident salsa bands has been formidable. As a full time music teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District, he has nurtured many young students and maintains an aura as a behind-the-scenes guy.

Now at long last, Calloway has come out of the shadows with Diaspora, an excellent debut recording that resonates with his musical life experiences. Offering 10 original compositions that illustrate his affection for jazz and Afro-Latin themes, he chronicles the sagas of 24th St. & Mission (El Gato) as well as his NYC days (Velero Sin Timón) and his Cuban present (La Habana). A seasoned improviser who can play a soulful funk-blues style (a la Hubert Laws or Herbie Mann), as well as traditional danzón textures, he creates ethereal, soothing melodies, and intense, hard-driving improvisations.

What John Calloway showcases here is a Home Stew, that like the tune that features African American gospel singer Joey Blake and sonero Orlando Torriente, speaks to a cultural composite we all become as our own historical Diaspora unfolds and is reshaped by the environments of our communities. Adding to the rainbow are friends Omar Sosa, Rebeca Mauleón Santana, Jesus Diaz, Edgardo Cambón, John Santos, Orestes Vilato and many others. This is music that speaks to the spirit and demonstrates the gifts of this unsung musical artist. With the guidance of executive producer Manuel Velasco, this is a recording that could sprout wings. (JV)

Jesse "Chuy" Varela
Latin Beat Magazine, December/January 2002

"John Calloway’s musical talent is on full display on Diaspora. John’s flute playing on this CD is outstanding. His concept and sound on the flute although influenced by the great Latin/Latin-jazz flautists of the past is uniquely all his own and he should be included when we speak of the great Latin-jazz flautists of today. As if this were not enough, John shows how prolific he is by composing and arranging most of the songs and also by playing some piano and percussion. As much as this CD is a testament to John’s talent, the excellent music you hear would not have been possible without the team of musicians who contributed their talent to make the great music heard on this CD."
Oscar Hernandez
New York. 2002

Editor's Pick:
One of my favorite current Latin jazz projects, this debut release from flautist and pianist John Calloway features a first-rate lineup including Michael Spiro, John Santos, David Belove, Rebeca Mauleón-Santana and other West Coast heavy-hitters. Danceable, and highly recommended. "

Bruce Polin
DESCARGA.com, November 9, 2001