REPORT FROM CHICAGO

See our Sin Clave No Hay Na'  blog for items of national and international interest. (All photos used in this section that are watermarked with the "TIMBA.com" logo  are by Bill Tilford unless otherwise specified, all rights reserved.)

5 September 2017

Stacie Sandoval y su Orquesta
Global Dance Party at Szold Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music,
4545 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Friday, September 8, 8:30pm
Bandleader and vocalist Stacie Sandoval has become something of a regional Salsa figure here, performing from Chicago down to Cincinnati.  This is a dance party rather than a sit down concert, but limited seating is available, if sitting is your thing. 
More information and tickets are available here. 

4 MARCH 2017

SPECIAL LATIN JAZZ PERFORMANCE MARCH 18, 2017, 9PM
SABOR A CAFÉ RESTAURANT,   2435 W. Peterson Av, Chicago IL 

Sabor a Café's owner, Elio Erraez, has a talent for bringing together special nights using musicians from different projects and locales.  This event puts monster saxophonist Orlando "Cubajazz" Sanchez (Mezcla, Milcho Leviev and many others) with percussionist "Papacho" Savon, whose resume includes some of Cuba's best Timba bands,  pianist Darwin Noguera, now a New York who as a Chicagoan was coleader of the highly respected CALJE (Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble), bassist Freddy Quintero and drummer Yuri Hevia.   i can't show you what this is going to sound like because even they may not know for sure yet.   I CAN tell you that Elio's matchups never disappoint and at times even create some evenings that are absolutely sublime. Also,  I would see any of the first three guys on the list  above even if they were playing the gig with my sister.  
Did I mention that Sabor a Café has excellent Colombian food?   I would go do both, eat and listen, and I would get reservations early because enough people know about Sabor a Café  now that the room often sells out.    






3 JANUARY 2017

FRIDAY THE 13TH IS LUCKY FOR CHICAGO

Two rather different events are hitting Chicago the same night:

I. Juan Carlos Formell y Son Radical at Mambo Café, Friday, 13 January 10pm-1pm

Juan Carlos Formell, a son of the late Juan Formell, currently plays bass with Los Van Van, and Son Radical is one of his side projects.   He uses Ben Willis, who was a presence in Chicago's Latin music scene with his group La Tira when he lived here, on bass in this trio.   .
Tickets ($15.00) and directions are available at https://mambo.ticketleap.com/juan-carlos-formell/

2. Papacho Savon at Sabor a Café Steakhouse, Friday, 13 January, 9:00pm-11:45 pm 

We don't have a video of this because it's a special night.  Papacho, a master conguero whose resume includes Issac Delgado,  Herbie Hancock, Carlos Varela, Juan Formell y Los Van Van, Pablo Milanes, Rey Ruiz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Marc Anthony, Willy Chirino, Isidro Infante, José Alberto "El Canario", the Celia Cruz All-Stars and countless others, is assembling some of Chicago's fine talent for this concert.  Sabor a Café is also an excellent Colombian restaurant, so plan on eating there as well if you go.   There is a $5.00 cover.  For more information, visit the Sabor a Café website. 

17 October 2016

A CORNUCOPIA OF LIVE CUBAN AND CUBAN/AMERICAN MUSIC EVENTS
THIS MONTH AND NEXT 




I.  Harold López-Nussa Trio at 
SPACE, Evanston Illinois, Wednesday, October 19
Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thursday, October 20 
Part of a more extensive national tour, and on the heels of a new CD, El Viaje.  
You can click through to more details about the national tour on the Harold López-Nussa website .  Meanwhile, catch him live here - he is one of the most exciting young Jazz pianists in Cuba today.    


II. Omara Portuondo 85 Tour Featuring Special Guests Roberto Fonseca, Anat Cohen and Regina Carter 
Symphony Center, Chicago Illinois, Friday, October 21 
The "85" comes from this being Omara's 85th year. In addition to the artists mentioned above, Yandy Martinez (bass), Ramses Rodriguez (drums) and Andrés Coayo (percussion) are listed on the roster.   Her body of work runs a LOT deeper than you would know if your only exposure to her was via the Buena Vista Social Club project,  and one would think that there are too many first-rank Jazzistas on the roster to waste their prowess  on renditions of that material.  This could be very interesting indeed if they pull out all the stops. 

III. Jazz Meets the Classics:  Paquito D'Rivera Quintet
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Univ of Chicago, Friday, Nov. 4 
Paquito needs no introduction; the program is a blend of Classical, Jazz and Afro-Latin.   There is also a listening session on campus on Thursday, November 3 at International House, where this writer whiled away many an hour in his student days (the Logan Center did not yet exist back then, and it is a very impressive venue). 

IV.  Cuba Vibra!  by Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba 
Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6
This one's for those who appreciate dancers:  An 18-member dance emsemble backed by a seven-piece band.   The Auditorium has been the go-to venue for groups of this type from Cuba going back to at least the 70s.  

4 August 2016

COMING SOON:

DANAY SUAREZ, TAKIN IT TO THE STREETS FESTIVAL & SUMMIT
Marquette Park, Chicago, August 6 

Most of this day long festival is totally unrelated to Cuban music, so take a good look at the lineup on their website before you decide to go, but this is a rare opportunity for Chicago's Danay Suarez fans to catch her in person. 

FESTIVAL CUBANO, RIIS PARK, AUGUST 12-14, 2016


Well, it's that time of year again, and fans of Orishas will be interested to know that they are on a reunion tour and at the Festival this year.    Last year's festival, which brought Pedrito Calvo and Miguelito Cuni Jr, raised my hopes that we might see more of the same this year, and that isn't happening unfortunately, but the roster does  include some excellent artists, and earlier each evening,  there is a great chance to catch some of Chicago's best local talent, including a lot of excellent Cuban-American artists, in action.   See the Festival Cubano website for more information. 

12 July 2016:

THIS WEEK:  

10th Chicago Latin Jazz Festival
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center Thursday, July 14 7PM
Humboldt Part Boathouse, Friday, July 15, 7pm and Saturday, July 16, 1:30pm)

The headliner is John Santos from the Bay Area; he is giving a lecture on Thursday and closes the concert on Friday. Saturday features some of Chicago's best Latin Jazz talent. 

Thursday, July 14:

John Santos, “My Music Is Who I Am” – 7 PM, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4046 W. Armitage (773-698 -6003). 

Friday, July 15 (Humboldt Park Boathouse): 

7 PM Havana Kings
8 PM  Chinchano
9 PM  John Santos Sextet 

Saturday, July 16 (Humboldt Park Boathouse)

Afternoon sets
1:30 PM  International Capoeira Angola Foundation
2:30 PM  Arawak’Opia
3:30 PM  Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra – Steel Orchestra 

Evening sets
5:30 PM  Latin Inspiration
6:30 PM  Hector Silveira y Su Orquesta
7:30 PM  Joe Rendon & Friends

COMING IN AUGUST

7th Annual Festival Cubano, Riis Park, Fullerton and Narragansett, Chicago
August 12-14


Headliners include Orishas, who are on a reunion tour; Albita, Elvis Crespo, La India and others.  The final lineup is still evolving, see the Festival Cubano website for more details.

8 May 2016:

MELVIS SANTA RETURNS TO
Sabor a Café Steakhouse, 2435 Peterson, Chicago IL 60659
Saturday, May 28, 2016, 9PM, Tickets $17.00


This is an intimate but wonderful venue, and Melvis Santa sold it out last year, so reserve now.   An extra bonus this time is that her special guest will be her sister, Brenda Navarette, also a wonderfull talent.  They have worked together in Interactivo and other projects.     This will be Melvis' Ashedi Project material, so we are looking at some serious Rumba and some Jazz. 

To see more about the event, see Sabor a Café's website here.

24 April 2016:  


THIS WEEK:  Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Jazz Showcase
Thursday, April 28, 8PM and 10PM
Friday, April 29, 8PM and 10PM
Saturday, 8PM and 10PM
Sunday, May 1, 4PM, 8PM and 10PM

This is Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett's project with several of Cuba's female jazzistas,  - Yissy Garcia on drums, Daymé Arocena on percussion and vocals, Yusa on tres and fretless bass, Dánae Olano on piano, Magdelys Savigne on Batá and congas and Celia Jiménez on bass. 
Here a live performance from 2015 in Toronto to whet your appetite:

SAVE THE DATE:
MELVIS SANTA RETURNS TO
Sabor a Café 
Saturday, May 28, 2016

Singer/Actress Melvis Santa, whose resume includes Sexto Sentido, Interactivo, some film roles and a variety of projects in New York now, returns to Sabor a Café, where she gave a wonderful performance last year. 

Details about time and ticket price are forthcoming, but mark your calendars - this is a fairly intimate setting, and when that information is available you'll want to make your reservations early - last year there were people who waited until the last minute and couldn't get in. 

We are also expecting a surprise special guest for this, but that would be telling...

24 January 2016

THIS WEEK:   Eliades Ochoa & Barbarito Torres, Old Town School of Folk Music
Saturday, 30 January 2016, 8PM
Sunday, 31 January 2016, 7PM


Although most North Americans were probably introduced to these two artists via the Buena Vista Social Club project, their careers are far more extensive,  Mr. Ochoa in particular has been turning up in several projects in addition to his own recordings, and a lot of his pre-Buena Vista work with Cuarteto Patria is also being reissued.   Mr. Ochoa plays guitar, tres and cuatro, and Mr. Torres plays laud, a variant of the lute used in Cuba. Several years back, Barbarito Torres put out a solo project, Havana Café, that was very entertaining.   Now that the BVSC ensemble has done its farewell tour of the US, projects like this one will probably be the next wave. Having said that, both of these gentlemen are excellent musicians and worth catching.  

YORUBA ANDABO CANCELLED.....

This being the second cancellation of the group in 3 months, we did not yet have word whether a third date is being discussed. 

3 January 2016 (HAPPY NEW YEAR)!

COMING THIS MONTH: 

1. Yoruba Andabo, Old Town School of Folk Music
Saturday, 16 January 2016, 7PM

Yoruba Andabo, one of Cuba's most exciting Afro Cuban folkloric ensembles, is performing in Chicago   in January.  If you have the good fortune to be near the city, this is an event very much worth catching.  This is a multifaceted ensemble including music, dance and folklore, and it is a true audiovisual experience.  The Old Town School has been working on bringing  this group for quite a while. 

2. Eliades Ochoa & Barbarito Torres, Old Town School of Folk Music
Saturday, 30 January 2016, 8PM
Sunday, 31 January 2016, 7PM


Although most North Americans were probably introduced to these two artists via the Buena Vista Social Club project, their careers are far more extensive, and Mr. Ochoa in particular has been turning up in several projects in addition to his own recordings.   Mr. Ochoa plays guitar, tres and cuatro, and Mr. Torres plays laud, a variant of the lute used in Cuba.   Now that the BVSC ensemble has done its farewell tour of the US, projects like this one will probably be the next wave. Having said that, both of these gentlemen are excellent and worth catching. 

22 November 2015:

Photo: Darron Jones

A week ago, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and a student orchestra from ISA performed together in Chicago.  It was a wonderful event, and you can read a full review in English here o en Español aquí. 

In the most recent broadcast of The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition on WSLR and WBPV, my segment featured the final track from the new Chucho Valdés album, Tribute to Irakere.   For a limited time, you can hear that segment on demand at the WSLR website (look for Afro Cuban Jazz Edition, Tuesday, November 17). Catch it now before it disappears....

15 November 2015:

THIS WEEK: Orisha Dance Chicago, Friday, November 20, 8:30pm
Szold Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music
4545 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
$12.00

Orisha Dance Chicago is a music and dance ensemble dedicated to the Afro Cuban idioms.  This is part of the Global Dance Party series at OTS, so you'll have an opportunity to join in, but even if you don't, it should be fun to listen/watch.  These are not just casual musicians and dancers - they have a serious background in their art. You can read more here...

8 November 2015:

THIS WEEK:

ENGLISH:   O n Friday, November 13, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic  will present Scenes From Life: Cuba!,  part of a much longer and broader exchange between the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic  and the Universidad de las Artes (ISA), one of Cuba's premier music education institutions.   This concert will include invited students from ISA. Watch the video below to learn more about the history of this wonderful project, and to purchase tickets for Friday's concert,  see the Auditorium Theatre website here . 

ESPAÑOL : El viernes, el 13 de noviembre, el Chicago Jazz Philharmonic  presentará Scenes From Life: Cuba! , parte de un intercambio mucho más largo y más amplio entre el Chicago Jazz Philharmonic  y la Universidad de las Artes (ISA), una de las instituciones de educación musical más importantes en Cuba. Este concierto incluirá estudiantes invitados de ISA. Pueden mirar el vídeo a continuación para obtener más información sobre la historia  de este maravilloso proyecto, y para comprar boletos para el concierto del viernes,consulten el sitio web del Auditorium Theatre aquí.

On the way home from the Chucho Valdés concert last week (you can see a review of that here) ,I dropped into Sabor a Cafe, where a unit of James Sanders' Conjunto was throwing down some excellent Latin Jazz. This group is particularly excelling in Brasilian Jazz these days, and James Sanders ' electric violin work brings a very distinctive sound to that style.  

Incidentally, Sabor a Cafe, which has been one of Chicago's best friends to Latin Jazz for years, has plans to expand in the coming months.   We wish the owner, Elio Erraez , complete success in that venture; it would be wonderful if larger audiences could partake of his offerings. 

1 November 2015

THIS WEEK:

IRAKERE 40
Symphony Center
Friday,  6 November, 8 PM
Chucho Valdés,  founder of Irakere , leads a 10-piece unit honoring the 40th Anniversary of Irakere  as an independent ensemble (it was active in that status from 1975-2005 although it recorded in 1973 as a subgroup of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna). You can read a lot more AND see some video in my Sin Clave No Hay Na  blog.
You can also read my review of the new CD here. 
All of the feedback from earlier cities in the tour has been some variation of WOW!!  Chucho is the only founding member in the tour, but this younger generation of musicians is also truly phenomenal, with more of an emphasis on Jazz and Yoruba folkloric elements than the dance music (hey, this is Symphony Center, how were you going to dance anyway? But the music WILL blow your mind).   

UPDATE:

YORUBA ANDABO POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY 16 2016!!!  

ENGLISH:   Yoruba Andabo , one of Cuba's most exciting Afro Cuban folkloric ensembles, is performing in  Chicago   this week.  If you have the good fortune to be near the city, this is another event worth experiencing. 

ESPAÑOL  Yoruba Andabo , uno de los más emocionantes conjuntos folklóricos afro cubanos de Cuba, está presentando en Chicago  esta semana. Si tiene la suerte de estar cerca de la ciudad, este es otro evento que vale la pena experimentar.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

1. Compañia Folklórica Yoruba Andabo
Old Town School of Folk Music
Saturday, 31 October, 7pm
What better way to spend Halloween than watching one of Cuba's best Afro Cuban folkloric ensembles in action?  This 16-piece ensemble of musicians and dancers puts on an electrifying performance that includes the forms of Rumba that you won't see on casual dance floors.  Escape the trick or treaters and catch what always proves to be a memorable performance. 

2. IRAKERE 40
Symphony Center
Friday,  6 November, 8 PM
Chucho Valdés, founder of Irakere , leads a 10-piece unit honoring the 40th Anniversary of Irakere as an independent ensemble (it was active in that status from 1975-2005 although it recorded in 1973 as a subgroup of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna). You can read a lot more AND see some video in my Sin Clave No Hay Na blog.

3.  The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic presents Scenes of Life:  Cuba!
Auditorium Theatre
Friday, 13 November
This is a reprise of a 2014 concert in Cuba by the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic at Jazz Plaza. This concert willl include student musicians from ISA who have been invited to perform for the occasion. 

31 August 2015

THIS WEEK: 

A. Orquesta El Macabeo at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center , 4048 W. Armitage
Friday, September 4, 2015 at 9PM

From Puerto Rico, Orquesta El Macabeo is among the very best  and most original Salsa that this island has to offer.   Lyrics that are often funny and hard-hitting at the same time with  innovative compositions and arrangements that are still valid Salsa but also draw from the other genres in which they have worked. Whatever you think your tastes might be, this group is interesting, fun and puts on an actual show. 

B. Palo! at the Louisville World Fest
The Belvedere, 485 Main St., Louisville, KY 
Saturday, September 5 at 9:30pm (8:30pm Chicago Time)
Yeah, it's a  about 5-hour drive from Chicago, but Louisville is fun, and it's Palo!  Not to mention, this is a 4-day festival of international music.  Friday night includes the impressive Louisville-based band Cosa Seria , which has turned on the citizenry to a little Songo along with their Salsa; some of its members are alumni of the schools in Cuba.

Be sure to come right back, because:

C.  Jane Bunnett & Maqueque at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Millennium Park
Sunday, September 6 at 6PM

If this brings the original personnel of this intriguing all-female Cuban Jazz project, it will include Yissy Garcia and Yusa , either of whom by themselves would also make this a must-see event, but the entire ensemble is first-tier talent.   (Update:  Today, Yissy let me know that she's coming.)

9 August 2015

See last week's post, it's all happening this week!  Let no one claim that Chicago remains a desert for Cuban music.  Even some of the local talent is worth your attention...

2 August 2015

Rest up this week, boys and girls, because starting Sunday, August 9: 


I heard them in Havana during one of my recent trips there, and they are still a mandatory concert even after the loss of Juan Formell .  It's also great to see a few presenters plural working together to do something none of them could have done by themselves.  If Chicago learns to do more of that successfully, AND you all show up to the concerts, THEN we'll start seeing more of the bands that always seem to pass us by.....

But rest well after the concert, because on Wednesday the 12th:  

The Buena Vista Social Club  touring group is coming to Ravinia  at 8:30pm. Supposedly this is their farewell tour.   Tickets and details at the Ravinia  website. 

AND, 

Pedrito Calvo , who sang with Van Van for many years, is in the lineup along with Miguelito Cuni Jr , who sings with Conjunto Chappottin in Cuba.  It's also a chance to catch a lot of Chicago's fine local talent in one place at a low price.   

So, as the song says, don't tell me there's nothing to do...

14  July 2015

TODAY:  TIEMPO LIBRE AT  SQUARE ROOTS FESTIVAL ,   SUNDAY, JULY 12, 8PM


This edition of TL is back to basics as a Timba dance band, and Square Roots generally is a fun outdoor festival with multiple bands at a low price 

Last year's Square Roots (OTS stock photo)

THIS WEEK: 9th Annual Chicago Latin Jazz Fest, Humboldt Park, Fri-Sat, July 17-18

Includes a lot of excellent local talent as usual.  The must-see from out of town is Papo Vázquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours on Friday.  Hard Bop meets Bomba. Victor Garcia 's ensemble closes the Fest on Saturday For more details, see the Jazz Institute of Chicago's page. 

SAVE THE DATE:  LOS VAN VAN, THALIA HALL, AUGUST 9, 2015, 8PM

Long overdue for Chicago, LVV is finally scheduled to come.  Their new CD, La Fantasia , is killer, and they are in top form live.  For more information and tickets, see
Thalia Hall's event page. 
A few of Chicago's presenters have banded together to make this happen, and it is nice to see them cooperate on something that  most probably none of them could have handled by themselves for financial reasons. 

7 July 2015

TIMBA ALERT:  TIEMPO LIBRE AT SQUARE ROOTS FESTIVAL ,  SUNDAY, JULY 12, 8PM

Tiempo Libre is back to serious Timba, and they are playing the closing hour of this three-day festival in Lincoln Square:

You can read my review of their new album, Panamericano, here

23 June 2015

6TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL CUBANO ANNOUNCED

At a press conference at 90 Miles Cafe today, the organizers of Festival Cubano announced the main acts for the Festival, which will take place August 14-16 at Riis Park.  The big news this year is that the Sunday lineup includes two performers from Cuba, Pedrito Calvo and Miguelito Cuni .   I'm glad that the festival has finally crossed the bridge - if Miami can have regular performances by acts from Cuba without major incidents, Chicago can certainly do the same.   The press conference featured local Cuban-American songstress Sureya for live music., and Alderman Ariel Reboyras was on hand to express support.  A few pictures from the conference: 

Although I doubt that this means that there's a Media McNoche in our future (and Ronald was not at the press conference to ask him), McDonald's Hispanic Owner-Operators Association has signed on as one of the key sponsors this year.  Smile the next time you pass by those arches.  

Advance tickets are now available at www.thecubanfestival.com .

THIS WEEK:

Miguel Zenón is doing a 4-night stand at the Jazz Showcase.  See my Sin Clave No Hay Na ' blog for more....

7 June 2015:

Yeah, this page was quiet for a while - I was in La Habana, Cuba and came back with recordings, interviews, pix and more.  You'll be seeing a lot of the results in the Sin Clave No Hay Na' blog, the From The Studios report, and the reviews section.  Also tune into The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition every other Tuesday morning on WSLR at 9am Central, and you'll hear some interviews and music. 

TONITE:  

Pedrito Martínez is in town but not with the PMG - he's getting into a Salsa bag with Willy Torres and Manolo Mairena at Live Salsa Sundays at the Cubby Bear.   Doors are open by the time you read this.  For complete details, click HERE . 

SAVE THE DATE: 

Tiempo Libre , which has been placing a renewed emphasis on its very serious Timba roots of late, will be at the Square Roots Festival on Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson on Sunday, July 12.   It has a new album coming out soon, and we'll be reviewing it in these pages.  If you are a hard-core Timbero who felt that they were getting too experimental for your tastes, give them another listen now.  They have been reaching out to you in some recent performances. 

MEANWHILE..

The Melvis Santa performance was great - you can read about it and see a photo gallery in my Sin Clave No Hay Na' blog.   We'll be playing an interview with her on The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition on June 16.  
On May 29th, I dropped into the Mayne Stage to check out a joint concert by the Cecy Santana Band (Brasilian music)  and the Hector Silveira Orchestra (Cuban music).  The show ended with Hector and Cecy in duet backed by Hector's group.   I like the idea of mixing these genres, and both groups gave very enthusiastic performances.   Perhaps pairing Musica Popular Bailable with Brasilian, Funk etc. would help bring more people to the music here. 

2 May 2015:

THIS WEEK: 


Melvis Santa, Sabor a Cafe Steakhouse , 9 May 2015, 9PM 
Melvis is working in New York right now with her new project, Achedi, but her resume includes Sexto Sentido , Interactivo , Santa Habana , work with several other important Cuban musicians, and film appearances including 7 días en La Habana .  Three of the musicians who are backing her on this date recently wowed Chicagoans in a smoking performance at the same club (Sabor a Café) with Eliel Lazo: Orlando "Cubajazz" Sanchez, Joshua Ramos and Rob Block.  With Melvis in front, a $10 ticket is practically robbing the owner. This is a don't-miss event in a venue that is also serves superb Colombian food (including some vegetarian items). Plan on eating here too, and it's worth getting early reservations - this is a small venue, especially considering who is playing in it. If you still have any doubts check out Melvis' You Tube channel here -  you'll be in love (musically speaking) before you know it. 

19 April 2015

THIS WEEK: 

Omar Sosa and Cuarteto AfroCubano 
The Jazz Showcase,  April 23-26  (multiple options)
With two shows per night (three on Sunday), if you are in town and like Cuban Jazz,  this is a must-see. This tour is in support of the excellent new album ilé  (you can read my review of the album here)
Omar has been to Chicago before but this is a debut in two senses - it is his first time and the Jazz Showcase, and it is his debut performance here of this ensemble.   .
There are nine shows to choose from - if you are too busy to catch one, it's time to slow down, my friends. 

COMING SOON: 

Melvis Santa, Sabor a Cafe Steakhouse , 9 May 2015, 9PM 
Melvis is working in New York right now with her new project, Achedi, but her resume includes Sexto Sentido , Interactivo , Santa Habana , work with several other important Cuban musicians, and work in film.  Three of the musicians who are backing her on this date recently wowed Chicagoans in a smoking performance at the same club with Eliel Lazo: - Cuban saxophonist/keyboardist Orlando Sanchez "Cubajazz",  guitarist/keyboardist Rob Block  and bassist Joshua Ramos.  

In the Chicago-based groups dept., also happening around town is a series of concerts the next few weeks by Lise Gilly 's Grupo Cha Cha called "Lovely Ladies of Latin Jazz - Mujeres Unidas!"  including the Oak Park Library on April 26, The Ravisloe Country Club on May 18 and the Round Lake Library on June 19.  Lise went to Habana for Jazz Plaza last fall with a group that included flautist Andrea Brachfeld (Lise  kindly wronte about here experience , which you can read here ), and Grupo Cha Cha's most recent recording has been getting a lot of love from radio. For more details, see the group's website here.    

13 April 2015

A very busy March with the new recording, but a couple of events are coming up that you need to be aware of:

Omar Sosa and Cuarteto AfroCubano
The Jazz Showcase, April 23-26 (multiple options)
With two shows per night (three on Sunday), if you are in town and like Cuban Jazz,  this is a must-see. This tour is in support of the excellent new album ile (you can read my review of the album here)
Omar has been to Chicago before but this is a debut in two senses - it is his first time and the Jazz Showcase, and it is his debut performance here of this ensemble.   .
There are nine shows to choose from - if you are too busy to catch one, it's time to slow down, my friends. 

Melvis Santa, Sabor a Cafe Steakhouse , 9 May 2015, 9PM
Melvis is working in New York right now with her new project, Achedi, but her resume includes Sexto Sentido , Interactivo , Santa Habana , work with several other important Cuban musicians, and work in film.  Three of the musicians who are backing her on this date recently wowed Chicagoans in a smoking performance at the same club with Eliel Lazo: - Cuban saxophonist/keyboardist Orlando Sanchez "Cubajazz",  guitarist/keyboardist Rob Block and bassist Joshua Ramos.  But don't take my word for that - check this out: 

Which brings us to Melvis.   A beguiling voice and an excellent composer to boot.  She is bringing her recent CD Santa Habana to the performance.  Here's a taste of that:

Still aren't sold?  There's more on her YouTube channel here.   
This gets better - a $10.00 ticket and wonderful Colombian food and drink,  The owner, Elio Erraez, is very committed to the music.  
BUT:
This is not a large place, and right now there is only one show on the calendar.  My advice? Get your tickets now and make it enough of you to make it necessary to have two shows. This is one of the Midwest's best-kept secrets for Cuban music, but it's time to lose the "secret" part. The last few months have seen some epic sessions in there. 

28 February 2015

I've been horribly busy with the new release of Pure Mezcla by Pablo Menéndez and Mezcla .  I'm happy to share that it is already getting rave reviews in the Jazz, Latin Jazz and World Music Press (especially since it would be a little hard for me to review it, being the Producer; were it not for that, I would be writing a glowing review of it myself). Click here for the album page, which includes sample videos, audio samples and review clips. 

Also, Chicago's own Lise Gilly , flautist/saxophonist and leader of Grupo Cha Cha ,  went to Jazz Plaza in Havana in December with several other musicians and sent us a very interesting writeup of her trip.  You can read all about that here .   

15 February 2015

TONIGHT (SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15)
Pedrito Martinez Group  is doing two shows (5 and 8pm) at City Winery .  We aren't positive, but we think this may be the PMG's first visit to Chicago featuring their new lineup. PMG is a regular visitor here, and the winery has named one of its selections after them. Those of you doing the CISC later should note that there is a 5pm show here tonight.

SAVE THE DATE:  

Melvis Santa at Sabor a Cafe , Saturday, May 9, 9pm

Melvis Santa  already has an impressive resume in both music and acting - a cofounder at age 14 of Sexto Sentido , more recent recordings with Interactivo  and Santa Habana . an acting role in 7 días en La Habana (7 Days in Havana)  and work with several other artists.  At the moment, she is working in New York, and Elio Erraez , who just brought us a smoking performance by  Eliel Lazo , tells me that he will be bringing in Melvis in May.  Mark your calendars - Sabor a Café may be a small room, but it is doing big things.  

Finally......

Mezcla, which has performed at Millennium Park and the Old Town School of Folk Music in recent years,  has just released a new album,Pure Mezcla , which contains the best parts of a live concert at Yoshi's Oakland in 2013.  The album is already getting airplay across the planet (literally, from Canada to Australia) and is drawing favorable reviews in the music press. Best of all, the intial release is an exclusive download with bonus content on Latin Pulse Music. Don't wait for something to turn up on Amazon or I-Tunes - those are fine services, but the label (Tilford Productions, run by yours truly) has no plans of putting it there in the near future because we were able to load liner notes, bonus content etc. on LPM, and these things matter to us. 
Click here for the album page, which includes sample videos, audio samples and review clips. 

8 February 2015

Eliel Lazo ''s performance was solid - you can see photos and a summary here . 
For this week's Chicago International Salsa Congress, see our Nuestros Primos Musicales page. 

1 February 2015

THIS WEEK :   Eliel Lazo , Sabor a Café , February 6 (concert and  7 (workshop). 2015.