Marcos Morales Advances Orlando Jazz Scene with ‘Elfos’

Marcos Morales, a Cuban jazz drummer and composer, has been enriching Orlando’s music scene through his Elfos series, which emphasizes pure jazz improvisation. After relocating to Orlando three years ago, he has carefully chosen his collaborators, with his latest edition featuring accomplished saxophonist Ryan Devlin. Their synergy is highlighted in Elfos Vol. 8, as Devlin skillfully navigates between melodic lines and more avant-garde expressions, effectively complementing Morales’ vibrant percussion.

Tracks like “Saturn” and their interpretation of “Nature Boy” highlight Devlin’s ability to ground the music amid Morales’ energetic complexity. The duo’s improvisational pieces, “Impro I” and “Impro II,” demonstrate their remarkable chemistry as they explore free jazz. This mini-album stands out as Morales’ most exciting collaboration in Orlando so far, now available for streaming.