''Crossroads'' is an album by the American musician

Jerry González Jerry González (June 5, 1949 – October 1, 2018) was an American bandleader, trumpeter The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the hig ...

, released in 1994. He is credited with his Fort Apache Band. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Latin Jazz Performance".

Production

''Crossroads'' was produced by Todd Barkan. Steve Berrios played on the album, as did

John Stubblefield John Stubblefield (February 4, 1945 – July 4, 2005) was an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, and oboist. Early life Stubblefield was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. He studied music at the Association for the Advancement of Crea ...

. "Lament" is a cover of the J.J. Johnson song; "Fort Apache" is a cover of the Jackie McLean song. "Thelingus" is a tribute to Thelonious Monk,

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

, and

Charles Mingus Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians and ...

Critical reception

The ''

Edmonton Journal The ''Edmonton Journal'' is a daily newspaper in Edmonton, Alberta. It is part of the Postmedia Network. History The ''Journal'' was founded in 1903 by three local businessmen — John Macpherson, Arthur Moore and J.W. Cunningham — as ...

'' wrote that the band is "equally adept at diving into bop arrangements, ballads and Afro-Cuban rhythmic patterns with considerable zeal." The ''

Times Colonist The ''Times Colonist'' is an English-language daily newspaper in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It was formed by the Sept. 2, 1980 merger of the ''Victoria Daily Times'', established in 1884, and the ''British Colonist'' (later the ''Daily Co ...

'' called the band "the world's premier Latin jazz group," and praised the "great writing, dynamic soloing ... thoughtful arranging, and fiery rhythmic grounding." The ''

Toronto Star The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and part ...

'' deemed the album "Afro-Cubop at its best, a live-wire 12 tracks mixing rumba and riff, Western horns with fierce Latin rhythms over constant percussive cutting sessions." '' The News & Observer'' praised the "baked-in-coals rhythm section." ''

The Wichita Eagle ''The Wichita Eagle'' is a daily newspaper published in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is owned by The McClatchy Company and is the largest newspaper in Wichita and the surrounding area. History Origins In 1870, ''The Vidette'' was the fi ...

'' declared: "Perhaps today's best blend of Afro-Cuban music and jazz, this 15-year-old sextet is stunning as it roars through a varied program." AllMusic wrote that the band "somewhat de-emphasizes the Latin side of its music in favor of swinging hard bop."

Track listing

References

{{authority control Jerry González albums 1994 albums Milestone Records albums