The Christian Jazz of Doble Filo Small Ensemble

The relationship between Jazz and religion is not something new. Music from church was essential in those first years of jazz. But a relatively new movement is taking form in the Jazz world, called Christian Jazz.

In Puerto Rico, some of the best jazz musicians, like guitarrist Mike Arroyo and trumpeter Danny Fuentes are part of this jazz style. Doble Filo Small Ensemble, a group of young talented musicians is one of the newest addition to this movement in Puerto Rico.

One of the purposes of the group, says the leader and trumpeter Juan Pacheco, is to demontrates that christian musicians can play jazz, especially jazz standards. That's why most of the group repertoire are not christian themes but jazz classics like, God Bless the Child, Green Dolphin Street, Summertime and Bossas like Chega de Saudade. Pacheco is the one who select the songs for the group and he also wants to spread the christian message through jazz, so slowly the group will include some chistian related themes.

It is not required to belong to an specific church to be in the group, what unites this musicians is mostly their love for the music. Doble Filo formed in 2011 and already has done presentations around Puerto Rico, on local television and radio. The name comes from the "classical" Roman short sword called gladius, a sword with parallel cutting edges.

Juan Pacheco on trumpet and the pianist Antonio Rodriguez are the two young veterans on Doble Filo, both with vast experience in the Puerto Rico jazz scene and influences that range from Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Billie Holiday, to Chucho Valdes, Chick Corea and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

The other members of the group are extremely talented music students, ages around 21. Kike Rodriguez, bassist and student at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, cites as his influences, Jaco Pastorious, Jeff Berlin and Charlie Parker. Luis Seguinot on drums, University of Puerto Rico student, is the newest addition to the group after playing with mostly rock and salsa groups. And Doble Filo secret weapon, the wonderful voice and distinct phrasing of singer Grisselle. Born in New York, Grissele started singing in church and her influences includes jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day.

Doble Filo Small Ensemble
Director Juan A. Pacheco
Phone: (939) 269-5766