On August 29, 2025, alto saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón—a MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim recipient, Doris Duke Artist, and 2024 Grammy Award winner—releases Vanguardia Subterránea, the long-awaited first live recording from his acclaimed quartet. Out on Zenón’s own imprint Miel Music, the album will be available on vinyl, CD, and all major streaming platforms. To celebrate, the quartet will return to New York’s legendary Village Vanguard for a special week of performances, September 16–21, 2025.
A Landmark Anniversary
For two decades, Zenón’s quartet—featuring pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawischnig, and drummer Henry Cole—has been one of the most enduring and innovative ensembles in modern jazz. Though the group has performed hundreds of concerts across the globe, Vanguardia Subterránea marks their first official live release, recorded over two unforgettable nights in September 2024 at the Vanguard.
“This album has an energy that's really different than all our other records,” Zenón reflects. “It was recorded in this sanctuary of music. It’s the dream of every jazz musician to play in that legendary room.”
New Compositions, Bold Arrangements
The album showcases six original Zenón compositions plus daring new arrangements of salsa classics: Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe’s “El Día de Mi Suerte” and Gilberto Santa Rosa’s “Perdóname.” As always, Zenón bridges Puerto Rican traditions, jazz improvisation, and cutting-edge rhythmic concepts into a singular artistic voice.
Highlights include:
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“Abre Cuto Güiri Mambo” – a mambo-inspired opener that positions the quartet as “another drum.”
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“Vita” – a deeply personal piece originally written for Zenón’s grandmother, expanded into a lyrical chacarera-style gem.
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“Dale la Vuelta” – a rhythmic counterpoint experiment balancing 7 and 8 beats, executed with effortless fluidity.
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“Coordenadas” – based on the geographical coordinates of the Vanguard and each musician’s birthplace, symbolically uniting them in sound.
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“Bendición” – a heartfelt tribute to Zenón’s mother and the tradition of seeking blessings from elders.
The title track, “Vanguardia Subterránea,” ties the project together as a “melodic poem inspired by the history of the club,” layering groove and floating textures that eventually lock into unity.
A Legacy in Motion
With Vanguardia Subterránea, Zenón captures the raw vitality of a live performance while honoring his roots, his quartet’s unique chemistry, and the profound relationship between jazz and Latin American music. It’s not only a 20th-anniversary milestone, but also a bold artistic statement that adds to his already remarkable body of work.
For fans of improvisation, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and adventurous contemporary jazz, Vanguardia Subterránea is a landmark release—one that embodies the living spirit of the Village Vanguard itself.
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Formats: Vinyl, CD, Digital Streaming
Release Shows: Village Vanguard, NYC | September 16–21, 2025
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