John Santos Raices Returns, SJ Summerfest Preview, Music News 8/9/2022

Raices, the curated series of cutting edge Latin music by renowned musician, bandleader and educator John Santos is returning to the Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison St. in Berkeley this week. The series is featuring the Meridian Brothers, the Colombian indie band that is enjoying a serious buzz since they are the first signed act on the famed rebooted Ansonia label. Their new recording “Meridian Brothers & El Grupo Renacimiento” showcases their take on 70’s Salsa Dura mixed with dub, bomba and rock descargas along with the band’s recording concept of resurrecting a fictional band’s repertoire. They will be appearing at the Freight tomorrow evening, Wed. Aug 10th at 8 pm.

The esteemed Cuban hip hop/spoken word artist Telmary (pictured Left) and her group HabanaSana will play the Freight on Friday, Aug. 12th at 8 pm. Telmary Diaz is considered to be one of the pioneers of the genre popularizing hip hop in her native Cuba and is one of the first Cuban hip hop artists to have their recordings reach the US in 2006 with her cd “A Diario“. Telmary proclaims through her lyrics a positive message of empowerment. Her latest recording “Maradentro” on Produciones Colibri features collaborations with Pedrito Martinez and the rumba group Osain Del Monte. The results are stunning. For tickets & more info, visit thefreight.org.

The San Jose Jazz Summerfest takes place this coming weekend from Friday, August 12 though the 14th at various stages in downtown San Jose. The festival will be featuring the likes of Omar Sosa’s Quartet Americanos, Ray Obeido with Peter Michael Escovedo, Raul Midon, Brian Andres Quartet, Carlitos Medrano & Sabor De Mi Cuba, Clave Dura, Orquesta Taino, Telmary, Mario Y Su Timbeko, Orquesta Latin Heat, Danie, Orquesta Borinquen and other great acts such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stanley Clarke, Charlie Wilson, Ledisi, Lee Fields, Leela James, Durand Jones and the Indications, Bobby Watson and many others. The Latin Tropical Stage now curated by NPR reporter, author and KPFK host Betto Arcos has had a bigger representation of Latin acts from the Los Angeles area in recent years. This year is a bit more balanced between LA and SF acts. The Latin Tropical stage acts start at 3 pm this year. Telmary, Omar Sosa, Raul Midon and Ray Obeido will be appearing at different stages. For more information on tickets and schedule, visit www.sanjosejazz.org.

Charley’s LG is the new South Bay scene happening on Thursday nights at 15 N Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos. Their schedule features the Franco Brothers and Orquesta Actualidad, this Thursday, Aug. 11, VibraSON on Aug. 18 and Edgardo Cambon and Candela on Aug 25. Dance lessons with JC Camarena start at 8 pm. Live band starts at 9 pm. Tix and Info: charleyslosgatos.com.

That’s it for this time. Ciao 4 now!