“Guitar and Tres” has 11 new songs composed and arranged by Kevin Connor (pictured) with emphasis on dance music from the US and Cuba. Three of them (a cha-cha-cha, a changui, and a bolero) include the talent of two artists familiar to Salsa lovers: Costa Rican Carlos Cascante (Spanish Harlem Orchestra) and percussionist Pedro Vargas (performer with Barbarito Torres of Buena Vista Social Club fame).

You will enjoy track 3 “Cha Cha Cha Pa’la LLuvia,” track 6 “Changui Para Ti,” and track 10 “No Mas Futbol.” The three have modernized Cuban sounds. “The rhythm and song structures are rooted in the swing tradition,” Connor explains. “But some of the melodies are more modern. And the three Cuban songs are definitely more modern – clarinet isn’t common in son.”

You will find the rest of the songs likewise enjoyable, with sounds of swing, jazz, even Charleston. The Swingtet features Craig Flory on violin, Jeff Norwood on bass, and JoJo Mascorella on drums along with special guests.