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Tuesday September 11, 2001

By HARRIE CURRIE
KW Record staff writerfor the KW RECORD - Kitchener / Waterloo's newspaper
Entertainment Section

Guelph Jazz Festival
Comes To And End
-- Nick Ali and CRUZAO -- 
"No wonder they were picked"

          The eighth annual Guelph Jazz Festival wrapped up over the weekend with a couple of full days of events, ranging from the almost out to the far out. ...

        ... A dazzling surprise was the 4 p.m. Carden Street Tent concert by trumpeter Nick "Brownman" Ali and his group CRUZAO.  Known locally as a young trumpet player with potential when he was a student at the University of Waterloo in the early 90's, Ali has matured into an instrumentalist at the top of his game, with a stunning technique and inventive powers. 

         CRUZAO is on the cutting edge of Latin/jazz/funk, boasting powerful originals and dynamic playing ability from the five players: Ali himself on trumpet and flugel, his younger brother Marcus on alto, Chendy Leon from Cuba on drums, Luisito Orbegoso from Peru on congas and Paco Luiviano on bass.

          This is a solid, driving band, with bold, adventurous solos from the brothers Ali. 

           No wonder they've just been signed to JUSTIN TIME Records!

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