RUMBA CALZADA

Generations Festival * * *

The Vancouver band Rumba Calzada dedicates Generations, its second CD, to longtime leader Rene Boying Geronimo, who died while touring with the band two years ago. Boying's son Raphael now assumes leadership of this hard-driving octet. Generations throbs with the energy created by percussionists Geronimo, Kary Taylor and Edgar Romero and bassist Ariel Lopez, with keyboard work by Mike Simpson and Nick Apivor (who also plays, in addition to organ, vibraphone), the multiple-horn playing of Victor Bongat (saxophone, flute, trombone) and vocals by Rene Oliver Santamaria. Several guest artists add to the sound. Apivor's Tu Nombre provides a break from the up-tempo program, a lovely medium-tempo number in which Apivor's vibes, Simpson's piano and Santamaria's vocals create a bittersweet mood, enhanced by guest Paul Baron's trumpet solo. It's a fitting tribute to Geronimo Sr.