Conjunto Karabali, (pictured left in action-Photo: Luis Medina) the all-star ensemble featuring Santana percussion phenom Karl Perazo and the renowned percussionist/producer Michael Spiro made their annual appearances in San Francisco this past week. These two musicians are so in-demand that the group rarely plays together but it’s explosive fireworks when they do get the group together. I caught their performance at the monthly outdoor free live Salsa showcase at Jesse Square, part of the San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
The show started off as if Karabali where the band left off….swinging from the first note! Karabali showcased new members: Orquesta Borinquen bandleader/trumpeter Bill Ortega Jr., a newcomer just out of high school Ora on trombone and pianist Antonio De Barrio as they locked in with seasoned players such as bassist Saul Herrera, bongocero Oscar Soltero, vocalist Edgardo Cambon, trescero Camilo Landau, Flautist Miguelito Martinez with percussion titans-co-leaders Spiro and Perazo to create this tight, excellent ensemble. Original songs such as“Salsa Y Guaguanco” pack an irresistible swing that compels you to hit the dance floor. They also performed at the Seahorse in Sausalito.
SF JAZZ started a weekend of Latin Jazz and Caribbean Roots with trumpeter Bill Ortiz and his group this evening, Thursday July 27th at the Joe Henderson Lab of the SF JAZZ Center in SF. SF JAZZ is also co-presenting renowned Oscar winning singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler with Stanford Lively Arts at 7 pm at Stanford’s Unversity’s Frost Ampitheater. A double bill featuring two astonishing Cuban pianists: Harold Lopez-Nussa in a duo with his brother, the phenomenal Ruy Adrian Lopez-Nussa. The opening act will be the amazing Aldo Lopez-Gavilian solo piano at the big Minor Auditorium this Friday, July 27 at 7:30 pm. Mario Y Su Timbeko will be bringing their timba drenched sounds to the Joe Henderson Lab for an intimate dance party at 7:30 and 9 pm on Saturday, July 28th.
The hype is out and huge on The Meridian Brothers psychedelic cumbia sound for two shows at the Miner Auditorium on Saturday at 7 and 9:30 pm. Jesus Diaz y Su QBA will be playing their blend of modern Cuban dance music to Miner Auditorium on Sunday, July 29th at 7 pm. Don’t forget that master bassist Stanley Clarke will have a residence at SF JAZZ from Thursday, Aug 9th though the 13th. In particular interest to Latin Jazz aficionados, Stanley Clarke will perform in a duo setting with the great Gonzalo Rubalcaba on Friday, Aug. 10th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are going fast for these events so don’t sleep! For more information and tickets, visit www.sfjazz.org.
This Friday, July 28th at 9 p.m., Jaffe Events will be presenting Cuba’s beloved spoken word artist Telmary at The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Avenue in Oakland. This show is entitled Latina Summer Showcase with good reason as it also features the dope sounds of The Locura Trio, rapper Chika-D and all-star DJ Leydis de Cuba! Telmary gave an incendiary performance at the Freight and Salvage last year displaying her prowess on the mic which deeply connected with the audience that evening. Expect the same fireworks this Friday!
Exciting Cuban bassist Yadier Noa will be bringing his group to the Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery on Saturday evening, July 29th at 9 pm……..Last but not least, the Grammy Award winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be performing at the outdoor Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael. Doors open at 6 pm. Dance lessons at 6:30 pm followed by Pacific Mambo Orchestra at 7:30 pm. PMO always puts on a great show. So check It Out!!!
Live Appearances
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