By Norm Harris
April 11th marked the much anticipated return to Flushing Town Hall of the sensuous and vibrant Latin jazz sound so familiar, and loved by the Latino communities at large and so many jazz aficionados.
In conjunction with the touring Smithsonian Institute’s multi media exhibit entitled “Latin Jazz: La Combinacion Perfecta,” Bobby Sanabria, it’s archivist and his ensemble, “Quarteto Ache” opened the first of two scheduled evenings of Latin music with a sizzling program of newly inspired and classic rhythms. The show’s selections, some of which were new creations by talented pianist John DiMartino, were so contagious that the enthusiastic multi-national and multiethnic audience had to get up and dance part of the evening away.
Sanabria, a renowned percussionist, scholar and producer of the Bravo network documentary, “The Palladium-Where Mambo was King,” spoke eloquently and very emotionally to the many fans during parts of the two sets that evening, emphasizing his love and deep involvement in the promulgation and promotion of this seminal, very significant and extremely spiritual music of the Latin people.
The very colorful, well-planned and well-executed exhibit of recorded sounds, murals and outstanding world class jazz photography, which continues to attract many enthusiastic visitors, will be at Flushing Town Hall until June 29. This exhibit tells the story of the evolution of this “American and Caribbean Music” for it’s breadth, depth and pure international significance is one exhibit that no one should miss.
On Friday, May 9, Jerry Gonzalez and his world famous Fort Apache Band, (yes, that’s Fort Apache as in the borough of The Bronx) returns to Flushing Town Hall’s new acoustic performance space for what promises to be a reunion of immeasurable musical intensity and caliente Latin Jazz rhythms steeped in the Afro-Cuban tradition à la New York! This will be a huge crowd pleaser for sure and no doubt a sold out show as well.
For more information call Flushing Town Hall at 718-463-7700.
