Can You Play Latin?
Exploding onto the Latin jazz scene with spirit and poignancy, seasoned bassist and songwriter Jim Rojas has created a refreshing debut album Can You Play Latin? (2023) that celebrates sounds from Latin America and pays tribute to an array of latin jazz musicians who inspired his divine love for music.
Produced and recorded by Joey Arreguin @ Love & Laughter Music Studios, Can You Play Latin? features 10 original tracks and a brilliant roster of 28 accomplished and award winning musicians, including: Jimmy Branly (drums), Joey DeLeon (percussion), Justo Almario (flute), Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr (guitar), Francisco Loyo (Keys), Ricky Zahariades (guitar), Francisco Torres (Horns), Bobby Sparks, Andrew Reyes, Lisa M. Arreguin (vocals), Roberto Montero (vocalese), Gabrielito Gonzalez and the Ric Flauding String Quartet.
Written in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, Jim approached his life long friend and producer Joey with the idea of writing some songs. The idea quickly turned into a 14-track deluxe album featuring 28 amazing musicians and a tapestry of sound that honors the influence of diasporic jazz and the power of connection that music brings. Each original track shines with Jim’s driving bass lines and solo’s, while the production and effortless arrangements bring the songs to life.
The title of the album Can You Play Latin? comes as a humorous twist on Jim’s experience spending long hours gigging with in Southern California as a Latino. Much like a great painter brings color to canvas, Jim has created a collection of songs that say “thank you” to those artists that meant so much to him — George Duke, Ivan Lins, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Brothers Johnson, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Arturo Sandoval, Pete Cetera of Chicago, Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, Abraham Laboriel, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Carlos Santana — and that their gifts of composition, style and flare help us all to understand ourselves more deeply.
Dedication: I want to thank my family for supporting me and praying for the completion of this album. David, Lou, Mimi – I can’t say enough about what it means to be a part of this amazing family. I know how you prayed for this thing to get done. Your love is something that has sustained me throughout my entire life as it does to this day. Our parents, Felipe and Naomi Rojas, are rejoicing in heaven to see that we have all turned out so well.
In Memoriam: During our string recording session in July of 2021, we were privileged to have our good friend and string arranger Ric Flauding join us virtually for the session. He tragically passed away a week later to be home with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Although we mourn his loss, a part of him and his artistry will always be preserved on this album.
ALBUM TRACK LIST