Once upon a swingin' time, down an old Mexican road lined with cactus, near a mineral spring and a cobblestone bridge, live a jazz singer. Every morning at sunrise he walked his dog, singing through the corn fields to the wind rustling the yellow stalks, dreaming of New York.

Set back from a tree-lined lane near a red picture postcard barn, green fields and horses, was a bass player on a tractor. One night at a gig in northern New Jersey, he discovered his old music school chum up from Mexico.

A piano player just back from Switzerlnd, on this way to play a conceert in New York, met the singer in an elevator.

Soon, lyrics were written, a demo recorded, photos taken and a tape sent off to the Thelonious Monk Instutute Vocal Competition in Washington, D.C. where it advanced to the semifinal.

Like down in the cellar of an established house, back amongst the barrels to that one special bottle, a taster's treasure, the Fine Wine Trio was born. Our purpose is to pop the cork and bring forth a palette of Fine Wine sounds.

Bobby Kapp interprets lyrics and scat sings with a charming, casual approach. His tune, "Back Alleys," appears to be biographical. A blues that describes how one has paid his dues, the song reminds us that life is full of ups and downs. In the end, what matters is that we are able to do something with that.

From the semifinals of the Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition, to a current Kennedy Center-Department of State Jazz Ambassadorship, Kapp's trio appears to have made its mark. When he catches fire, the singer spins impressively. One of two up-tempo arrangements set the singer's spirit free. When scat singing fours or bopping rapidly with piano and bass, Kapp turns a better performance.

The album's three instrumental numbers, "Darn that Dream," "My Old Flame" and "Beautiful Friendship," become high points of the session, where all three artists come together with passion. Whether comping or stretching out, Richard Wyands puts in a stellar appearance.

By Jim Santella
Cadence Magazine
Vol. 27 No. 11
November 2001

Jazz is an international language instantly understood in every corner of the world, which probably explains why there’s never been a market for an “Armstrong to Japanese” or “Ellington to Spanish” translation course. Jazz overrides politics, culture, race, and language with a message so positive that it, and the musicians that play it, are welcomed even in times of international crisis.

With this in mind it should only make sense that two guys from New Jersey should hook up with a Cuban piano player in Mexico and start a group.

Rewind a little.

R. B. Kapp and Gene Perla (the New Jersey contingent) hadn’t seen each other in 25 years or so when they ended up on the same gig in 1998. They quickly decided to form a trio with Richard Wyands on piano and in 2000 released their first CD, “Fine Wine Trio.”

Fine Wine went on to play all over Europe, North Africa and the Near East as well as gigs in the U.S. and Mexico. It was on a gig in Mexico in 2006 that Kapp and Perla, in need of a new pianist, hooked up with Gabriel Hernandez (representing Cuba in our equation). Jazz form’s it’s own chemistry when all the right elements come in to play and Fine Wine had a new piano player. 

Fast forward to the present.

The songs on “Mexico Express” cover a lot of musical terrain. Kapp’s Armstrong influenced vocals swing on the standards “Night and Day,” “I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You,” “On the Sunny Side Of The Street,” and “It Could Happen To You.” R. B. covers new vocal territory by adding lyrics to Hank Mobley’s “Diggin’ It All,” Bob Ackerman’s “Purple Dreams,” and T. Monks “Monks Mood.” The blues are represented by “I Don’t Want Nobody” complete with a harp solo by Kapp.

Gabriel Hernandez contributes two instrumentals to the mix. “Mysterio De Una Infancia” is both urgent and wistful with the tempo shifting back and forth in an almost conversational manor. The Gershwin flavored “New York Cha-Cha” is an intimate celebration of “The International City.” The joyful, straight-ahead “New York Attitude” by pianist Kenny Barron allows R.B. to stretch out on brushes, and a sterling interpretation of Herbie Hancock’s beautiful “Dolphin Dance” rounds out the instrumentals.

Gene’s bass radiates from the heart of the mix, weaving the melody, changes, and tempos together in a way that only someone of his stature could. His lyrical solos throughout the CD add an element that urges his fellow players to respond in kind and they do, making this CD a pure pleasure to listen to.

With the completion of “Mexico Express” Fine Wine is getting ready to hit the road. Immediate plans take them back to Europe and Mexico. It would seem the world really is their stage. It makes sense after all, they already speak the language.

Jim Gilheany