Que Pasa In Los Angeles - TT: What's happening in L.A - Artículo Breve

Los Angeles was the last stomping ground of the legendary musicians Cal Tjader and Willie Bobo, and Angelinos have supported and enjoyed Latin jazz for many years. Venues such as Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach and The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach were some of the top jazz clubs in the world that regularly featured the sounds of Latin jazz by Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Eddie Palmieri, Cal Tjader, Willie Bobo, and Tania Maria, among so many others. These days, our local Latin jazz icons include bandleaders Poncho Sánchez, Francisco Aguabella, Alex Acuña, Justo Almario, Pete Escovedo, Susie Hansen, Johnny Blás, Bobby Matos, Eliseo Borrero, Robert Incelli, The Banda Brothers, The Garcia Brothers, The Estrada Brothers, Rudy Regalado, and Bob DeSena, to mention just a few.

Two very popular all-stars bands in the city are Jazz On The Latin Side All Stars, established by local DJ José Rizo of KLON-FM 88.1 (host of the Friday-night Latin jazz program Jazz On the Latin Side); and the group Tolú, led by Justo Almario and Alex Acuña. Both of these ensembles include many of the above-mentioned musicians as well as others that call LA their home: Luis Conte, Richie García, Tiki Pasillas, Michito Sánchez, Harry Kim, Joe Rotondi, Ramón Flores, Joe D'León, Otmaro Ruiz, Arturo Velasco, José "Papo" Rodríguez and Francisco Torres.

The clubs around town where you can enjoy these artists and bands include Catalina's Bar & Grill in Hollywood, Atlas Bar & Grill in LA, The Mint in West LA, The Jazz Bakery in Culver City, Steamers in Orange County, Spazio in Sherman Oaks, Baked Potato in North Hollywood, Club Brasserie in West Hollywood, Lunaria in West LA, and La Ve Lee in Studio City.

North America's number one jazz radio station (KLON FM 88.1) and its program, Jazz On the Latin Side, will be celebrating their 4th Annual 5 de Mayo Party on Saturday May 4, 2002 at the House of Blues nightclub located on the Sunset strip. Headlining the concert this year will be the Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, the Johnny Blás Latin Jazz Band, and the salsa group Son Mayor. The event is only for members of KLON radio. KLON-FM 88.1 is a member-supported radio station located in Long Beach, California. For more information visit www.klon.org.

Direct from New York City, the group Los Hermanos Morenos will be performing at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City in a one night only LA performance on Friday, April 5.

The yearly, highly anticipated 4th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress will take place on May 24-26, 2002, at the Hollywood Park Casino and at the LAX Hilton Hotel. The three-day salsa event brings together thousands of salsa dancers and lovers of the music for the biggest salsa party of the year. Performers highlighting this year's event are Oscar D'León and his orchestra (from Venezuela), José Alberto "El Canario" and his orchestra (from New York City), Sonora Carruseles (from Colombia), and from Puerto Rico, Revolución Juvenil with Manolito (16-piece salsa band whose members' ages range from 12 to 16 years old making their U.S. mainland debut). The Los Angeles bands performing include Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad, Freddie Crespo y su Mambo Revue and Orquesta Son Mayor. Approximately 3,000 salsa dancers from around the world are expected to attend daily. Over 70 dance teams will be performing, with over 40 dance workshops to be held in all levels of dancing. International Salsa DJs will also be honored and will be spinning their best tracks nightly throughout the event.

For more information on this event visit www.alberttorre-sevents.com.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Latin Beat Magazine
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group