Pascal Bokar Afro Blue Grazz Band & John Nava & the Latin Jazz Collective at 3rd Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Fest this Sat.

Pascal Bokar’s Afro Blue Grazz Band and the Latin Jazz Collective with John Nava are two intriguing acts that will be appearing at the 3rd Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival this coming Sat. Aug. 20th. The Afro Blue Grazz Band is the brainchild of composer, guitarist, vocalist Pascal Bokar. His music is an innovative fusion of textures and styles drawing from multiple traditional musical styles. West African rhythms, melodies and percussion fused with Bluegrass, Jazz, R&B and Gospel. A celebratory infectious groove fed delightfully by the West African balafon (ancestor of the marimba) sabar drum, banjo and fiddle combined with high velocity bebop scat guitar, drums, bass, vocals and two keyboards. This high energy band fuels the stomp/clap percussion of a gospel choir and the intensity of its musical conviction drives the listeners to uncontrollable dancing and participation. All this accompanied by richly harmonized vocals.

Pascal Bokar studied at the National School of Arts in Dakar, Senegal and at the National Conservatory of Nice, France where he started working professionally with reedman Barney Wilen. In 1983, Pascal attended the Berklee College of Music where he received the Jim Hall Jazz Master Award. He’s performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Donald Byrd, Donald Bailey, Donald Brown and others. In 1999, he received his Master’s Degree from Cambridge College, MA, and in 2006 received his Doctoral Degree from USF. He is currently faculty in charge of Jazz Studies in the Performing Arts and Social Justice Department of USF. He is also the owner of the award winning Savanna Jazz Club in San Carlos. Pascal Bokar & The Afro Blue Grazz Band will be appearing at 1:30 pm.

The Latin Jazz Collective (LJC) is a high energy, seven piece Latin Jazz ensemble that received a standing ovation from a full-house crowd at the 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival and also received a great response at the 2nd Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival. Led by percussionist John Nava, saxophonist Stu Reynolds, and drummer Martin Binder, the band creates a rich and eclectic blend of original compositions and highly acclaimed standard jazz arrangements steeped in authentic Latin rhythms. LJC members have shared the stage, recorded, and performed with the likes of Carlos Santana, Pete Escovedo, The Yellow Jackets,  Malo, Kim Stone (Rippingtons), Wayne Wallace, and many other well-respected artists from around the world. Members of LJC maintain active performance schedules as band leaders, arrangers, and music educators throughout the Central California Coast and Bay Areas.  The Latin Jazz Collective with John Nava will be performing at 4 pm..

The 3rd Annual Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival presented by Montuno Productions will take place this Saturday, August 20th, 11 am to 7 pm at Rowell Ranch, 9725 Dublin Canyon Road in Castro Valley. The show will also feature the MP All Star Afro-Cuban Project Tribute To Mario Bauza with Christian Pepin, Jessy Diaz and Carlos Rosario, Edgardo Cambon and Candela, VibraSON, Bululú and yours truly, Luis Medina of Con Sabor on KPFA 94.1 FM and Sabiduria Con Tumbao on WorldSalsaRadio.com as your MC and DJ for the afternoon. For tickets and information, visit bayarealatinjazzfestival.com