Photo of Jeremy Ledbetter and CaneFire

Jeremy Ledbetter and CaneFire

Jeremy Ledbetter and CaneFire Radio

General Info

  • Genre: Jazz / Latin

    Location Toronto, Ontario, CA

    Profile Views: 15304

    Last Login: 4/6/2011

    Member Since 8/16/2006

    Website www.canefire.ca

    Record Label Independent

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    “If Dizzy Gillespie were still with us, he would love CaneFire” -- Vancouver Sun In 2010, Toronto-based Caribbean jazz powerhouse CaneFire celebrates their fifth year together with the release of their sophomore album, “Pandemonium”. The follow-up to their 2005 debut, “Kaiso Blue”, “Pandemonium” embodies all the sizzle and twice the sophistication of its predecessor, as Canadian pianist/composer Jeremy Ledbetter leads an all-star cast through more of the hard-hitting, explosive Caribbean Latin jazz that CaneFire has become known for. Joining Ledbetter on “Pandemonium” are Canadian-born steelpan virtuoso Mark Mosca and Cuban trumpeter Alexis Baro, as well as Braxton Hicks (saxophones), Chendy Leon (drums), Yoser Rodriguez (bass), and Alberto Suarez (percussion). The album also features guest performances by Brazilian jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal and Trinidadian calypso superstar David Rudder. CaneFire’s signature sound revolves around its unconventional use of the steelpan – the Trinidadian percussion instrument that transforms oil barrels into sound vessels, and as such the only petroleum byproduct in the world that is actually good for you. Eight of the album’s eleven tracks are original compositions by Ledbetter, who has fashioned a repertoire that combines the best of several worlds: the white-hot energy of Cuban rhythm, the blinding musicianship of modern jazz, and the unbridled joy of the music of the Caribbean. Pandemonium opens with “The Madman’s Jig,” an outrageously energetic Latin jazz piece written in 27/4 time. But in terms of pure explosive energy, there is hardly anything out there to rival “Baptism by Fire,” CaneFire’s take on a hybrid Trinidadian church music called “gospelypso”. The album includes some New York-style latin jazz (“Nothing by Mouth”), a touch of reggae (“Two Cousins”), and a meeting of calypso and be-bop on “Donna Lee (Goes South)”. Three pieces are inspired by the birth last spring of Ledbetter’s daughter Leila, to whom Pandemonium is dedicated: “Welcome Home,” a gentle ballad that combines Afro-Brazilian rhythm with Trinidad steelband; the playful “Little Bell”; and the bonus track, “If I Could Sing,” an astonishing singing debut by then five-month-old Leila. A final song of note is the distinctly CaneFire cover of “Trini to the Bone,” Trinidad’s unofficial national anthem, voiced by none other than David Rudder, the soca superstar behind the original. For more information visit www.canefire.ca

  • Members

    Jeremy Ledbetter -- piano; Mark Mosca -- steelpan; Alexis Baro -- trumpet; Braxton Hicks -- saxophone; Chendy Leon -- drums; Alberto Suarez -- percussion; Yoser Rodriguez -- bass

  • Influences

    Caribbean Jazz Project, Michel Camilo, Andy Narell, David Rudder, Ralph Irizarry, Irakere, Johnnie Johnson, Pinetop Perkins, Aquiles Baez, Aldemaro Romero, Andre Tanker, Mervyn Williams, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson.

  • Sounds Like

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