Random Notes 7/29/15

Posted on Jul 29, 2015

It’s been a while so let’s catch up!  The list of performers that have visited the Bay Area has included Dafnis Prieto, Grupo Niche, Charanga Habanera, Viti Ruiz, Renzo Padilla and the incredible comeback performance of Jesus Alemany’s Cubanismo after a 12 year absence.

So what does August hold in store?  Check out the San Jose Jazz Summerfest which promises to be a feast for Latin music aficionados as well as for jazzistas, blues, rnb and funk fans on the weekend of August 7 thru the 9th.  An All star lineup featuring Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Septet, Doug Beavers’ Titanes Del Trombon, Bombay Jazz w/Larry Coryell, Tower Of Power, Ernesto Oviedo with the John Santos Sextet, Louie Romero’s Mazacote and a whole slew of great bands will be gracing the streets of San Jose that weekend.   I’m joining the party as guest MC/DJ for Doug Beavers party on Friday night and MC for the Salsa Stage all day Saturday!  Go to sanjosejazz.org for more information.

And if you want to keep the fun going strong on Sunday, you may want to check out Koketos Sundays at St. James Gate in Belmont with special appearances by Doug Beavers’ Conjunto Rovira with special guests from NYC and yours truly, Luis Medina as guest DJ and MC.

There will be a special benefit for the family of KPFA DJ Wesley Burton who was killed in a tragic hit and run accident also on Sunday, August 9th at the Seahorse in Sausalito.  Pacific Mambo Orchestra will be the featured band. The show starts at 4 pm.

And don’t forget that SF Jazz is presenting the iconic Cuban superstars Los Van Van paying tribute to their late leader Juan Formell at SF’s Davies Symphony Hall on Friday, August 14 at 8 pm.  Info: sfjazz.org.

If that wasn’t enough, the annual Festival De La Isla Puerto Rican festival on Saturday, August 22nd will feature Salsa singing star Frankie Negron along with Grammy Award Winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Orquesta Saboricua, Orquesta Borinquen and DJ Tony O at Pena Adobe Park in Vacaville from 11 am to 7 pm.  For more information, visit festivaldelaisla.com.