Recommend some Latin tunes?

[djero44]

Hey guys, i'm playing in a funk/latin/jazz band with keys, sax, drums and bass, i'm looking for some good numbers for us to learn in the latin vein. I have some exposure to the genre, but i'm far from educated and experienced, so i'm asking you for ideas...

One of the last latin flavored tunes we learned is Back To New Orleans by Poncho Sanchez. We have a nice arrangement of it, it's become one of our favorite songs to play and our audiences have really appreciated it. Our drummer wants to do an adaptation of a Tito Puente song (not sure of the name), we'll see how that one goes, it has many horns and a big percussion section.

Anyhow if you have any suggestions that would be awesome, even things to listen to to broaden my knowledge. Thanks!

[Stumbo]

~Latin
Learning Latin music
"The Latin Bass Book" by Oscar Stagnaro/Chuck Sher

http://www.streetswing.com/8latnmus.htm

[djero44]

Well, a lead's a lead! I bought a couple of book/cd's last winter; afro-carribian & brazillian rhythms for the bass and funkifying the clave, they are great and I should get deeper into them. Some of the ideas there have evolved into stuff for this project. I'll check out your link too, Stumbo, i'm excited to get into some new studies in the coming season.

I should probably have been more specific; I am looking for relatively simple songs also, my keyboardist is not too keen on reading or playing stuff that's too progressive. I'm looking for a few gems that are fun and easier to play if anything comes to mind.

[djero44]

Um, yeah, I did forget to google TB before posting. That other thread has some great ideas, i'm going to have to get ahold of a lot more music to listen to as well. I have five or ten cd's which isn't much really. I know it's a huge genre and I have plenty to learn, but that has been the funnest part of picking up a new style.