Reviews: 'Conjunto Kathar is a unique Gospel Salsa aggregation that successfully balances the essence of African American Gospel roots and Latino elements in it's own unique blend. After experiencing them perform at Flushing Town Hall I was both impressed and uplifted by their spirit filled performance. Clyde Bullard/ Producer at Flushing Town Hall This might be the first time that I've ever seen a band that performs Gospel Salsa, however, I found it interesting and enjoyable. Conjunto Kathar was impressive and I see potential with the group and sound. I am always interested in hearing our music performed in different ways and with a message. Louis Laffitte/ WKCR Radio Conjunto Kathar, led by produced by award winning trombonist/ composer/ arranger Demetrios Kastaris with former fame leading the the Latin-Jazz Coalition in the genre of Afro-Cuban Jazz. CD title: 'Te Exaltamos con Trombones', (We Exalt You with Trombones) (pronounced: Se Imnoume me Tromponia, in Greek). Released November 2, 2013. 'Te Exaltamos con Trombones' includes 41 stellar world class artists, 15 songs, and 78 minutes of highly diverse music including Afro-Cuban, Puerto Rican, Gospel, Praise and Worship ballads Jewish Hora, Greek Kalamatiano, Hasaposerviko, and Byzantine music, in addition to Johann Sebastian Bach Baroque Music with exceedingly original arrangements. Recorded in New York City and Athens, Greece requiring three and a half years (between 7000 hours to 7500 hours of intensely diligent and passionate work in administration, musical arranging, and recording to complete). Most of the music is extremely up-beat music from the Spanish speaking Afro-Caribbean diaspora, all with Gospel lyrics, followed by the Praise and Worship Ballad genre, and then the other genres listed above. Songs sung in Spanish, English, Greek, and Hebrew. Included in this recording is six time Grammy winning Gospel singer Susan Quintyne (vocal soloist of the world famous Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir). Also doing much of the piano performing and arranging is Latin Jazz virtuoso/ arranger Edy Martinez who composed and arranged many of the selections that won Grammy's for 10 time Grammy winner Tito Puente and 10 time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri. Jazz Icon, virtuoso trombonist/ conch shell player, Steve Turre who is a 12 time Downbeat Magazine Jazz Poll winner and long term member of the Saturday Night Live Band participated in five selections on this production. Mr. Turre has recorded and toured the world with every major world class American Jazz artist going back to his teen years in the 1960's and 1970's. Participating on almost all of the tracks is classical trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos of Athens, Greece. After winning the position as Principal trombonist in the esteemed Athens Radio Symphony Orchestra while still in his early 20's, Achilles currently tours the entire world 15 to 20 days a month with the legendary Canadian Brass (considered the top Classical Brass quintet in this genre by all experts). Achilles does concerts with Salsa Icon Ruben Blades, and world tours with Pink Martini on his days off from the Canadian Brass. Pete McGinness, Jazz trombone virtuoso, composer, arranger, Jazz vocalist, three time Grammy nominee and College Jazz Professor of Jazz Arranging at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. Mr. McGuinness wrote numerous strikingly original/ breath taking arrangements specifically for this project. Pete is also a Jazz trombone clinician for the Conn/Selmer musical instrument company and tours the world giving Jazz clinics during the summers when is he off from his full time college music teaching activities. Pete received a prestigious award for outstanding musicianship at the debut record release concert with Conjunto Kathar. In reference to the three Greek songs included in the production, world class virtuoso Jazz vibraphonist Christos Rafalides, virtuoso bouzouki players Kostas Psarros and Theofilos Kathechis, folkloric Greek clarinet virtuoso Lefteris Bournias, master bass player, singer, percussionist Panagiotis Andreo
