Music News 9/12/2022

Renowned Flautist/Multi-Instrumentalist Dr. John Calloway (pictured left) brings his Flute Odyssey ensemble to the SF Jazz Center’s Joe Henderson Lab this coming Friday evening, Sept. 16th with shows at 7 and 8:30 pm. Joining Calloway will be long time ensemble member, Miguelito Martinez (pictured center) on flute, alto flute and indigenous flutes and newcomers Chloë Scott Jones on flute and alto flute, Erika Oba on flute and Japanese bamboo shinobue, and special guest Karl Young on shakuhachi. This fine ensemble of flautists will be backed by a top-shelf rhythm section led by pianist Murray Low, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after Latin Jazz accompanists. During a recent interview on my KPFA program Con Sabor, Calloway said that he will play a variety of flutes including a bass flute and the Cuban 5 key wooden flute played by masters such as Jose Fajardo and Richard Egues. Calloway who is also a member of the John Santos Sextet has plans to record with the Flute Odyssey in the future.

Cuban piano maestro Chucho Valdes will be bringing his latest project “La Creación” to the Paramount Theatre in Oakland presented by SF JAZZ on Thursday, September 22nd at 8 pm. Chucho will be joined by a Yoruban Orchestra featuring the sacred Bata drums with Music Director Hilario Duran and the Monkestra led by Music Director John Beasley. La Creación is a suite that Valdes composed during the pandemic and premiered late last year in Paris to great acclaim. These performances have only be presented in a handful of cities worldwide and the SF Bay Area is one of the chosen places since Valdes has made a strong connection with this area for many years. For tickets and more information, go to www.sfjazz.org.

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley presents another one of their monthly Baila event this coming Friday, September 16 featuring the salsa sounds of N’Rumba, KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz in the theater, DJ Ron in the Bachata Lounge from 10pm, a new Ritmos Tropicales lounge scene from 8 to 10 pm, Dance Lessons and a whole lot of fun! Doors open at 7:30 pm. You can get your advance tickets and more information by visiting www.lapena.org

This week: This Wednesday night, Sept. 14 will be the last EL Timbon party at the Slate Bar, 2925 16th Street in SF. Producer and resident DJ Walt Digz will be moving the popular timba night to the new Bissap Baobab which is located at 2243 Mission Street in SF. Digz started his Wednesday night parties at the original Bissap Baobab which closed down a while back due to owner Marco Senghor’s legal problems. Since that time, Senghor has resolved his issues and has announced the opening of the new Bissap Baobab club and restaurant which is really good news for all lovers of World and Latin music.

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents as part of their monthly free outdoor Salsa/Cuban dance events, the return of popular sonero Fito Reinoso and Ritmo Y Armonia. Fito will be appearing this Thursday, September 15 from 6 to 7:30 pm at Jessie Square, 760 Mission Street across from the Yerba Buena Gardens between 3rd and 4th Streets in downtown SF. If you’re ready for Son, Timba y Descarga Cubana, check out the great voice of Fito Reinoso and the smokin’ sounds of Ritmo Y Armonia.…Also this Thursday down in the South Bay, Charley’s LG located at 15 N Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos will be presenting the ever popular Edgardo Cambon y Candela. Dance Lessons with JC and Katie at 8 pm, Live music starts at 9 pm. The popular VibraSON will be there next week on Sept. 22nd For information and advance tickets, visit charleyslosgatos.com.

That’s all for this time! Ciao 4 now!