Gonzalo Rubalcaba

A post-bop keyboard phenom, Rubalcaba uses his own compositions -- and a new found New York funkiness -- as a springboard to rediscover the jazz styles of his native Cuba. Rubalcaba's changes (in writing and improvisation) are often surprising and his playing is as deft and off-kilter as ever -- although he relaxes and showcases a lovely melody on "See, So Far."