BOBBY ROZARIO
Guitarist ~ Composer
CONTEMPORARY FUSION REVIEWS, Dick Metcalf"I seldom get “that” excited by a new album these days ( I’ll be 77 next month, if the chemo don’t get me first, lol), but the absolutely scorching guitar originality that guitarist brings to this new album will have you RAWKin’ from the opening notes to the end of the 11 superb tunes offered up (think Santana at Woodstock – yeah, THAT KIND of excitement, people)…"
ROOTS MUSIC REPORT, ROBERT SILVERSTEIN"Seattle-based Origin Records is one of the most prolific jazz-centric recording labels in the world today and they keep the hits coming with the 2023 CD release of Spellbound, the seconds album to date by NYC-based guitarist Bobby Rozario. Drawing on the melting pot of incandescent sounds that is New York City, the 11-track album for an enthusiastic fusion romp that often sounds very influenced by guitar giants like Al Di Meola and even Carlos Santana. To help execute his musical vision, Bobby has drawn on some of the finest fusion sidemen including Dennis Chambers (drums) along with a wide range of musicians adding drums and percussion, bass, keys, horns with singers adding backing vocals on several tracks. Spellbound has a kind of Latin and South Asian feel to it, yet for the most part, it's very guitar-based instrumental music that combines hard driving grooves layered with a definite jazz-rock fusion vibe on several tracks. Produced, arranged and composed by American Guitarist Bobby Rozario".
jazz weekly, GEORGE W HARRIS
"Someone has been drinking the waters of Carlos Santana, and his name is Bobby Rozario. The guitarist / vocalist plays with a fiery drive & biting tone, searing through a collection of originals, supplied by a mix of musicians that included Robby Ameen, Dennis Chambers, James Genus, Edsel Gomez, Tim Ouimette, and a wide array of percussionists and vocalists. The sauntering "Gitana" includes the voices of Chris Alfinez, Jose Pepito Gomez and Kate Saba in passionate form, while Ismael Kouyate sizzles with trumpeter Tim Ouimette on "Spellbound". Some rich flamenco sketches take place on "Carmen's Lover" and Rozario's strings snarl around "Peace Pilgrim". Some easy blues are felt on "Heal Me" while some gospel ideas float on "Sun Wil Shine" and "Beat The Devil". The mix of Latin percussion, fusion grooves and Rozario's riveting chops make for a caliente atmosphere. Oye!"
about
Bobby Rozario is an American guitar virtuoso of Indian and Brazilian-Portuguese descent, based in New York City, well-known for his blazing, idiosyncratic style interprets melodically fervid lines and fiery speed while he blends them into captivating music injected with Afro-Latin and jazz/rock/fusion vocabulary backed up by a lineup of Grammy-winning master musicians in his band. On his second solo album "Spellbound" Rozario dives deep into heavy Latin and Afro Latin rhythms, with his 11 originals accentuated by the virtuosic grooves of Dennis Chambers and Latin drumming master Robby Ameen, and the bass wizardry of Gary Grainger, James Genus and Melvin Gibbs, Edsel Gomez with a total lineup of 17 musicians on his latest album. With Spellbound, Bobby Rozario has sculpted an album that resonates with entrancing guitar craftsmanship, the HEARTBEAT of global rhythm and song, and unparalleled sonic excellence.
