Carlos Henriquez: Back in the Bronx

By Josiah Omotosho

Jazz bassist Carlos Henriquez returned to the Lehman Center for his first performance in the Bronx in 16 years September 12. But just so you know: “I never left, for those who asked.” These were Henriquez’ words before launching into a performance with the help of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra that defied rigid characterization. An eclectic merge of Afro-Cuban, Boricua and jazz, Henriquez’s pieces, proved a unique experience to some, many of whom were not there to see Henriquez in the first place.

Take Newton Salmon, for instance, a student at Lehman College, and a long-time jazz fan. “I took an Intro to Jazz class at my old college and I was familiar with Marsalis’ work,” he said. “I heard he was here, so I wanted to check him out.”

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By “Marsalis” he meant the Lincoln Center Orchestra’s artistic director and Wynton Marsalis, a celebrated jazz trumpeter and composer. It was his name, it seems, that drew much of the younger attendees of the event, many of whom had a very clear idea of what they expected from the experience, and came out surprised and a little intrigued.

“It was different,” said Charles W., a Lehman student studying finance. “Marsalis was the one that drew me here, but this was not the usual jazz. It was more up-tempo, more Latin-infused. That was my first time experiencing that.”

Playing both original arrangements from his new album The Bronx Pyramid as well as old classics — the oldest piece dated back to the 1920s — Henriquez’s performance was a very personal one. The bassist used the short breaks between arrangements to share anecdotes, tell jokes and acknowledge far-reaching influences in his musical life. His friend and frequent collaborator Frankie Vasquez provided vocals for more than a few of the arrangements. Three of them (“Joshua’s Dream,” “Kiko’s Vibe” and “Slick Al”) were written for his three sons Joshua, Carlos – ‘Kiko’ – and Alex. His wife of 15 years, Sara, received some heartfelt praise from the bassist, as did his father.