Musical Notation
by George Rivera
Musical Notation
by George Rivera
June 11, 2000 – Un saludo cordial para todos los Boricuas que se encuentran en la ciudad de Nueva York hoy celebrando la parada Puertoriqueña. It has been quite a weekend here in the Apple. With the crowd estimated to be around three million, 5th Ave will most certainly feel the Latino pulse that drives this city day in and out. The Puerto Rican Day Parade is the largest celebration in the world. This year marks the 47th anniversary.
I opted to skip the parade today and go hang at the World Trade Center where the Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival 2000 was in full swing. This year the festival was hosting Los Lobos, Bobby Sanabria y Ascensión, The David Sanchez Sextet featuring Tito Matos from Viento de Agua, Barbarito Torres and Los Van Van. As if that wasn’t good enough the festival was also free.
Bobby
Sanabria y Ascensión opened the festivities with a killer set. Ascensión
features some of the best musicians making the Latin Jazz rounds today.
Percussionist Chembo Corniel, pianist John Dimartino, trombonist Chris
Washburne, and baritone sax/flautist Ricardo Pons are just a few of the guys
in the band. If you get the opportunity to checkout the band live do so,
you’re guaranteed a good time. In the meantime you can checkout the
band’s latest release on the Arabesque label titled AFRO-CUBAN
DREAM…LIVE AND IN CLAVE!!
The David Sanchez Sextet plus one, invited guest Tito Matos, picked up where Asención left off. David and the guys immediately took the crowd to a whole new dimension with a straight ahead Jazz set laced with Bomba and Plena. After all, the city was celebrating The Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. David is one of the premiere saxophonists on the scene today.
A
couple of years ago there was a reunion of sorts in Havana. An opportunity
presented itself to a group of aging musicians and vocalists. What happened
was that a gentleman by the name of Ry Cooder was slated to record a guitar
summit, which was to include himself, along with some guitarists from Cuba
and Africa. When the Africans could not make it as a result of problems with
their visas one of the Cuban guitarists slated for the project hooked up a
session featuring some old-timers. That gentleman was Juan de Marcos
Gonzalez, and we’re talking about Buena Vista Social Club. Barbarito
Torres, the next performer, was one of the youngest members of that historic
gathering. Barbarito took control of the crowd from the very beginning and
the Austin J. Tobin Plaza became a dancer’s paradise. Barbarito put the
montuno in the son and that’s the way it went for the duration of his set.
The interesting thing about Barbarito’s ensemble was that it was comprised
of just three guitars, a bass, one trumpet and one incredible percussionist
that was simultaneously playing conga, bongo and timbal.
The
moment of truth had finally arrived. There were only two bands left. The
crowd was waiting for just one. This crowd was there for Juanito and the
boys, better know as Los Van Van. The crowd went wild as LVV took to the
stage. Right from the get all hands went up and the swaying to and fro
began. LVV is one of those bands that you have to experience live. The
energy the band creates has only been captured on a few of their recordings.
These guys rocked the crowd with a powerful set. Unfortunately, this will be
LVV’s only appearance in the Apple. Their current U.S. tour however, is
far from over. This is one band you definitely do not want to miss.
Los Lobos brought the festival to a close with a rousing set of their L.A. Latino Rock. The band was received with a hearty reception despite the fact that we really don’t hear much of them here in NYC.
Kudos to the festival organizers for a job well done, hopefully we’ll get to do this again next year.
If
you’re in the Apple, or will be visiting any Friday in the month of June make
your way to the Museum of Natural History. Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache
Band will be appearing there every Friday during the month of June. This past
Friday the band was smoking. Aside from Jerry on percussion and flugelhorn,
bassist Andy Gonzalez, Jerry’s brother, along with Joe Ford (sax) and Dafnis
Prieto (drums) made the scene. Dafnis is one of the baddest drummers on the
planet! This young Cuban is only in his early twenties and he’s already making
his mark on the Jazz scene. The Fort Apache Band is simply the very best Latin
Jazz group around. This is another event that should go up on your calendar.
Hasta la proxima, ciao…
NightLife in the City
Monday, June 12
Plena Libre @ SOB's
Tuesday, June 13
Free outdoor concert
Ray Vega & His Latin Jazz Sextet with Mario Rivera,
Johnny Ray Salsa Con Clase
Robert F. Wagner Park, Battery Park in lower Manhattan
on the Westside. 6:00pm
For more info: (212) 416-5343
Hector Tricoche, Luisito Carrion & Anthony Cruz @ Copa
Wednesday, June 14
Cuban Soul presents Patato Valdez @ Nell's
Thursday, June 15
Puerto Rican Power @ Latin Quarter
Johnny Almendra Y Los Jovenes Del Barrio@ Tony's Of Worth
(Worth Street Bet. Broadway & Church St)
Jorge Luis y su Orquesa @ Windows of the World
Friday, June 16
Dominic @ Latin Quarter
David Cedeno @Tony's of Worth
(Worth Street Bet. Broadway & Church St)
Tony Vega, Willie Colon @ Copa
Saturday, June 17
Free
Los Jovenes Del Barrio, Wayne Gorbea & Salsa Picante, Ralph Irizarry
& Timbalaye
@ Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street & Hudson River
6:00pm - 12:00 midnight
Conjunto Classico & 911 @ Latin Quarter
Tony Vega, Isidro Infante, Giro @ Copa
Sunday, June 18
Free
CACHOA
with special
guest Carlos "Patato" Valdez & Chico O'Farrill
Central Park Summerstage - 3:00 pm
Monday, June 19
Bamboleo @ SOB's