Waldo Fabian Garido's High Five

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Waldo Fabian was a founding member of The catholics. He is a bassist, composer, singer and producer who has worked with various pop, Latin and jazz bands and musicians such as The Party Boys, Floyd Vincent, Disco Montego, Swoop, Anthony Copping and Robin Loau as well as having two solo Latin albums to his credit (Dejame Tocarte, a South American release through Sony and Loco (Festival/Mushroom records). Waldo has played along-side some of Australia’s and Latin America’s top Jazz and Latin musicians.

An active writer signed to Albers Music, Waldo has just released his new Latin album ‘Groovy Cumbia’ out through Bambozle/MGM. Waldo has also completed a Chilean influenced Jazz album with Carl Dewhurst, Sandy Evans, Ed Goyer and Jacskon Harrison.

His versatility also includes writing film scores including Random 8, winner of a Bronze Palm in the Feature Narrative section of Mexico International Film Festival and on Emma-Kate Croghan’s film Strange Planet.

Waldo has finished his PhD Music at Macquarie University under the supervision of Dr Andrew Alter where he also lectures and tutors in a number of units in music. He also held tenure as an associate lecturer at Southern Cross University and his results of his thesis will be released as a CD and published as a book.

As an academic, Waldo has written and published a number of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and presented various conferences on popular music, small island studies and music psychology. He is working on a number of publications with world renowned academics like Professor Philip Hayward, Professor Bill Thompson, Dr. Dan Bendrups and Sandra Garrido amongst others.

Waldo is currently writing a book on the history of music publishing in Australia as well as conducting a number of research projects on popular music, small island studies, music production and music psychology.

1. DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET - 7th Festival Internacional Providencia Jazz Santiago Chile, 2008

In Chile, there is very well organised and popular Jazz festival. This Festival takes place in the city of Santiago. I was fortunate to be able to see the Dave Holland Quintet in the 2008 version of this Festival. In this occasion, Holland was backed by a formidable group of musicians that included Robin Eubanks on trombone and cowbell, Steve Nelson on marimba and vibraphone, Chris Potter on saxophones and Nate Smith on drums. The music was a mixture of progressive post-bop and avant-garde jazz, with asymmetrical rhythms, creative harmonies, emphasis on group improvisation, and extended forms. The repertoire was a both accessible and edgy.

2. STANLEY CLARKE AND MIROSLAV VITOUS - Sydney Town Hall

This concert took place a long time ago therefore, it is difficult to remember exactly the tracks that they performed. The opportunity to witness such an incredible performance was invaluable as a developing young bassist. Stanley Clarke is my biggest influenced as a bass player. I have followed his work since the day my dentist played me a Return to Forever track while trying to calm me down as he proceeded to inflict some incredible pain on me; I was 14 years of age then. He and Miroslav traded chops and beautiful lines with both artists demonstrating their amazing techniques and musicality. I remember going home and spending the whole night listening to both Weather Report and Return to Forever and feeling very inspired.

3. LOS VAN VAN - Sydney Opera House, 2010

The opera house audience were very receptive. On this night the band was made up of a 16-piece band on, among other instruments, flutes, violins, keyboards, trombones and percussion, and the four singers. I really looked forward to this event as every Latin musician know that Los Van Van is the greatest Cuban dance band of the modern era. What the Wailers are to Jamaica or the Beatles were to Britain, so Los Van Van is to Cuba. It is very difficult to stay still to Cuba’s most famous orchestra. My wife was pregnant and the baby would not stop moving to the rhythms of Los Van Van. One of the most impressive features of the band is the drummer Samuel Formell, son of Juan Formell, the bandleader. He mixed clave rhythm with timbale-style hits and killer grooves. There were some great solos by the rest of the band. The brass section was incredibly vibrant and tight, typical of Cuban music. This was a great concert.

4. JOAO BOSCO - 9th Festival Internacional Providencia Jazz, Santiago Chile, 2010

I saw Joao Bosco perform at the ninth Festival International Jazz Festival, Santiago Chile in 2010 during a research trip to Chile. I have always been a great fan of Brazilian music and in the work of this great musician. Bosco combines samba, bossa nova, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and ethnic styles. His music on the night was an eclectic, intensive and challenging mix. Some tracks were reminiscent of Airto Moreira’s music with long percussion and vocal scat solos. This was a superb concert. In fact, I could watch a show like this five times, each time focusing on the unique talent of each musician. His accompanying musicians are among Brazil’s best. I was lucky to have been in Chile that year.

5. RICHARD BONA - 9th Festival Internacional Providencia Jazz, Santiago Chile, 2010

On the same festival, I was incredibly fortunate to see Richard Bona perform with his band. This group consisted of drums, percussion, trumpet, sax, guitar, keyboards and Bona on vocals and bass. This was the first time that I had ever heard Richard Bona. I was so impressed by his versatility and virtuosity with blistering fingerpicking, his left hand speeding up and down the fretboard with amazing precision. Bona’s voice was equally impressive and sweet sounding. Moods varied from relaxed ambience to deeper, sharper grooves and smooth jazz.