Didi

From the introspective “Mojo uno”, Gelbard’s solo piece on Moog, to the wild “Alevacolariea”, featuring the prolific Uruguayan Rubén Rada, Gelbard’s solo album offers no chance to remain indifferent.

Fernando Gelbard occupies a singular place in Argentine jazz history, remembered for his bold embrace of new sounds and his refusal to let boundaries define him. A pianist, flautist, and producer, he was among the first in Argentina to explore the possibilities of electronic instruments in jazz, creating a body of work that feels both rooted in tradition and ahead of its time.

Didi, recorded in 1974, epitomises this vision. Entirely performed on electronic keyboards such as the Moog synthesizer and Fender Rhodes, it fused bebop harmonies with bossa nova -Gelbard has a deep love for Brazilian music-, Latin grooves, and Afro-American rhythmic textures. The result was a kaleidoscopic soundscape that challenged conventions and opened doors for new directions in South American jazz. Tracks like “Alevacolariea”, featuring the Uruguayan Rubén Rada, with its rich percussion and chanting, reveal his interest in rhythm as a unifying force, while pieces such as “Chau, Ambrosio” show his skill at blending layered studio experimentation with a straight-ahead jazz sensibility.

https://altercat.bandcamp.com/album/didi