Los Angeles: International Latin Jazz

Latin Beat Magazine, Sept, 1997 by Rudy Mangual

The pursuit of happiness has always been a good goal to reach for and a group of people have now come together to help the citizens of Los Angeles achieve that happiness through a distinct blend of cultural, musical and educational expressions via an extraordinary platform of diverse Latin Jazz styles, flavors and colors in an entertaining atmosphere.

This is the mission statement of the Los Angeles International Latin Jazz Organization. Created this summer, the organization's Honorary Board includes Herb Alpert, Hector Elizondo, Andy Garcia, Angelica Huston and Edward James Olmos, among others.

The Board of Directors is headed by Juan Rodríguez, Jerry Levin, Nilza R. Serrano, Alexander Geon, Xavier Sibaja and Justo Almario as Artistic Director. An Advisory Board which oversees the organization's activities includes José Behar-EMI Records, Rockard Delgadillo-L.A. Mayors Office, Adolfo Nodal-Cultural Affairs Office, José Rizo-KLON Radio, Reynaldo Macias-Daniel Rey Advertising and myself, representing Latin Beat Magazine. Together these people are planning the largest Latin Jazz Festival the city of Angels has ever seen. The two day event will take place at the historical landmark Greek Theater in the heart of the city on October 25 and 26, 1997.

"We have assembled an excellent lineup to satisfy jazz aficionados and new listeners alike," said artistic director and Grammy award nominated artist Justo Almario.

This first annual festival is dedicated to master conguero and legendary Latin jazz bandleader Mongo Santamaría. Santamaría has carried the Latin jazz banner for decades, playing with jazz masters John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Herbie Hancock as well as with Latino superstars Tito Puente, Willie Bobo and Cal Tjader. His own band through the years has served as a school for many musicians and his conga playing is part of every percussionist's learning process.

Saturday evening's lineup will include master trumpeter Arturo Sandoval; Tres Maestros Congueros (three master conga drummers) presenting a tribute to Mongo Santamaría featuring Armando Peraza, Francisco Aguabella and Giovanni Hidalgo; the Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Paquito D'Rivera, Andy Narell and Dave Samuels; and Jerry González and the Fort Apache Band.

Sunday's celebration will showcase the legendary Cachao y su Orquesta; L.A.'s own Poncho Sánchez; a Saxophone Summit featuring woodwind virtuosos Justo Almario, Paquito D'Rivera and Mario Rivera; the Danilo Pérez Trio; and a special appearance by composer Lalo Schiffrin.

The International Latin Jazz Festival will coincide with the City of Los Angeles' Latino Heritage Month celebration which runs from September 11 to October 26. The festival is the logical conclusion for the month-long celebration which recognizes the achievements of Latinos. Nilza Serrano, co-chair of the City of Los Angeles' Latino Heritage Month applauds the coinciding of the events and adds, "The Los Angeles International Latin Jazz Festival offers yet another reason to Angelenos of what it means to be Latino and what is possible when dreams and hard work go hand in hand." So become part of this historical event and join in the fun and great music. We'll see you there.

Tickets are available at the Greek Theatre box office (213) 480-7575 or by calling TicketMaster at (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000, and at Blockbuster Music, Robinsons-May, Tower Records, and Ritmo Latino Record stores.