Last Modupue Sunday@ Rocky’s; Music News 8/27/22

My wife Isidra and I paid out last trip out to Rockys Market at Oakland last Sunday afternoon. We wanted to check out the hot Javier Navarette and his Socially Distant Friends featuring violinist Anthony Blea trombonist Raul Navarettte (Javier’s Brother) up from NYC, vocalist/percussionist Hector Lugo, guitarist Kai Lyons, guitarist Camilo Landau, saxophonist Charlie Gurke, timbalero Mio Flores and others. Coming off a hot gig at SFs Yerba Buena Gardens Festival on Thursday, Javier and the Friends played their last gig at Rocky’s. They jammed, people danced and it was a beautiful, sunny day. (Photo: Javier Navarette on right; Anthony Blea-center at the KPFA Studios. Photo-Luis Medina)

The Brooklyn Basin outdoor venue that brought music lover’s spirits up during the age of COVID is closing down at the end of the month. Sadly, the owners can’t make it at the Basin venue due to lack of foot traffic, hard to find free parking close by and the massive construction of condos surrounding Rocky’s. Another great venue bites the dust.

In other news, Victor Manuelle “El Sonero De La Juventud” will be headlining a concert dance tonight at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Burlingame. Merengue favorites Oro Sonido will open up the show and long time DJ Tony O will be spinning the sounds. There are still tickets to this JC Coral/Bosco Vega production by visiting www.ticketri.com.

Other News…Renowned percussionist Michael Spiro will be interviewed on my radio program Con Sabor this evening from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM. Spiro will be debuting his new Afro-Cuban Jazz ensemble Spirology that features Jesus Diaz, Malecio Madaluyo, Carlitos Medrano, Julio De La Cruz and Ernesto Mazar Kindelan this coming Friday, Sept. 2nd, 8 pm at the California Jazz Conservatory, 2087 Addison Street in Berkeley.…..Juan Escovedo will bring his All Stars to Yoshi’s Jack London Square in Oakland on Thursday, Sept 8th for two shows at 8 and 10 pm. Juan, son of the legendary Pete Escovedo who has played with everybody from Prince to Tito Puente released his first solo recording “The J” late last year. The recording has guest appearances from El DeBarge, Raphael Saadiq and Santana vocalist Andy Vargas. Juan is still part of the Pete Escovedo Orchestra and performs as a guest artist with such luminaries as Malo. For more information, visit www.yoshis.com.

Coming off their triumphant appearance at Europe’s Tempo-Latino festival in France, Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be appearing at 1 pm on Saturday, September 24th at South San Francisco’s Concert in The Park Culture and Community Festival at Orange Memorial Park. PMO will be featured on a show with Rick James’ Stone City Band. They will be kids activities, food and beverage booths. Go PMO!! Check it out!!!

That’s all for this time! Ciao 4 now!