 |  |
| |
 | |||
 |  | ||
 |
CONTACT:
 | Latin Jazz LIVE at the LUCKMAN plus THE JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALLSTARS LOS ANGELES -- The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State L.A. will offer a rare presentation of two new Poncho Sanchez bands, plus the Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, in a star-studded Latin Jazz event on Saturday, January 19 at 8:00 p.m. The two Sanchez bands are very different, according to José Rizo of KLON, who programmed the concert. The sounds of the Poncho Sanchez and New Orleans Gumbo Band featuring vocalist Dale Spalding are described by Rizo as ÂLatin Jazz meets New Orleans, while the Poncho Sanchez and Ortiz Brothers Band plays Âa heavy dosage of typical Latin music featuring the leaders of Son Mayor  the top salsa band on the West Coast. Grammy winner Poncho Sanchez, who performed in a sold-out double header program at the Luckman in 2000 with Dianne Reeves, has long qualified as one of the hardest-working men in Latin Jazz. His big break occurred in 1975 when he had an opportunity to play with his idol and mentor Cal Tjader. He became a major part of TjaderÂs band for the next seven years, forming an association that lasted until the vibraphonistÂs death. In 1980, Sanchez formed his own group, leading his ensemble during TjaderÂs vacation periods and recording two albums for Discovery. Eighteen recordings, a Grammy Award (for 1999Âs Latin Soul), and countless performances around the world have resulted in the years since. He continues to celebrate Latin Jazz with his latest release Latin Spirits (Concord/Picante CCD-4981-2), combining the rhythms of Cuba, Africa and the Caribbean with the soul of Detroit, Philly and New Orleans, and the harmonies and improvisational elements of jazz. For the past 12 years, Latin-music lovers in Southern California have been blessed with the sounds of KLON's José Rizo and his Friday night radio show ÂJazz on the Latin Side. On January 7, 2000, 28 of L.A.'s top Latin jazz musicians were brought together by Rizo at B.B King's Club in Universal Studios to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his radio program. The capacity audience was treated to what was to become a historical, once-in-a-lifetime event  the birth of the Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars. The Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars represent the coming together of the most celebrated and versatile Latin Jazz musicians in the Los Angeles area. A wonderfully unique group made up of band leaders, four of them  Francisco Aguabella, Justo Almario, Alex Acuña and Poncho Sanchez  are of legendary level. Beyond merely performing as a "loose-jam" allstar band, they rehearse and perform original compositions (most composed by Rizo himself), and they do it with the punch of an erupting volcano. As a truly powerful ensemble developing a group sound that is extremely rare to hear, the Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars remind expert aficionados of the New York-based Alegre Allstars of the Â60s. According to Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times, Âit wonÂt be surprising if the Allstars continue to grow as a highly marketable entity in their own right. The Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars performance at the Luckman on January 19 is slated to include: Francisco Aguabella (congas) For Latin Jazz, this is history in the making. Come and be part of it!
WHAT: WHO: WHEN: WHERE: TICKETS: INFO:
# # # |