Grammy Award winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be headlining a FREE show on the Sunday, June 21st date at the Stern Grove Festival, 19th Avenue & Sloat Blvd in SF. They will be joined by the legendary percussionist and vocalist Sheila E and Grammy Award winner pianist Marlow Rosado. The Salsamania Dance Company will be opening up this KPFA Radio sponsored event. More info: www.sterngrove.org
SF Jazz heats up this summer with the San Francisco Jazz Festival and the SF Jazz Summer Series: Pedrito Martinez on Sunday, June 21st at the SF Jazz Center with 2 shows at 7:30 pm and 10 pm and on the same night…the phenomenal tribute to the legendary Cuban composer/pianist Ernesto Lecuona with Chucho Valdes, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Michel Camilo at Davies Symphony Hall!! The Summer Sessions will feature artists such as Latin Alternative rockera Natalia Lafourcade, legendary vocalist Tania Libertad, renowned Oscar award winning singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler and Cuba’s great Los Van Van at Davies on August 14th. For all the info, visit sfjazz.org
Eddie Palmieri is bringing his Latin Jazz Septet to the Healdsburg Jazz Festival on Sunday, May 31 at the Jackson Theater in Santa Rosa on a double bill with Pablo Ziegler’s Jazz Trio for New Tango. Palmieri will also bring the jazz group to the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest in August…..Sonero de excelencia Andy Montanez will be headlining the 37th Annual El Dia De San Juan on Saturday, June 20th at San Jose’s History Park. This is a rare Northern California appearance for Montanez, whose last visit was at the 2009 SF Salsa Congress! As I recall, Montanez and his orchestra and his sons tore it up!! So get ready for Salsa dura y Sabrosa Puerto Rican style
I’m a bit leery of the phrase “SF Salsa Festival” being tossed around to outdoor shows featuring an out of town headliner and a few local bands. Can we get the real thing organized that is inclusive of the majority of the great bands, dj’s and dance troupes that play and are part of the Bay Area scene without the agendas, politics and narrow minded promoters? Or am I dreaming? If that is the case, I’ll keep dreaming in living color y “en clave”…..Ciao 4 now.
Live Appearances
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