Tribute to Armando Peraza

contents

jazz

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival announced, a Tribute to Armando Peraza, on Saturday, September 1 at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. One of the most important and revered figures in the world of percussion, Armando Peraza (see photo) continues to inspire and influence percussionists of all genres and ages around the world. Sponsored by LP Percussion, this tribute concert will feature many of today's top percussionists, who cite Armando as one of their biggest influences, including John Santos, Michael Spiro, Karl Perazzo, Edgardo Cambon, Carol Steele along with ”Fito” Reinoso, Iluminado “Yaya” Maldonando, Jose Luis Gomez and Javier Navarrette.

In honor of Armando, several styles of Afro-Cuban folkloric music will be presented including Bemb, Bat, Giro, Iyes, Abaku, Yamb, Guaguanc, Columbia, Guarapachangueo, and Conga de Comparsa.

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1924, Armando Peraza is considered one of the world's top percussionists - a master of both the conga and bongos. His unique style and rich history are inspirations to countless musicians. He stands shoulder to shoulder with Chano Pozo and Tito Puente as a pioneer of Afro-Cuban music. He is the most internationally visible of all Latin percussionists through his long associations with jazz pianist George Shearing, vibraphonist Cal Tjader and guitarist Carlos Santana.

The all-star tribute band includes: Four-time Grammy nominated San Francisco native John Santos, is an internationally renowned multi-percussionist, producer and educator who has led some of the most influential Latin bands out of the San Francisco Bay Area of the last 30 years.

Michael Spiro is an internationally renowned teacher, multi- percussionist, recording artist and record producer who specializes in Cuban and Brazilian music. He has been a San Francisco Bay Area resident since 1980.

San Francisco native and multi-percussionist Karl Perazzo began as a child prodigy in the 1970s and honed his considerable skills and talents to become one of the greatest percussionists in the field today. He has been featured with the Santana Band for the last ten years with whom he has toured the world.

Uruguayan-born Edgardo Cambon is a San Francisco Bay Area institution unto himself, as leader of the Salsa band Candela since 1987. He is a versatile and accomplished vocalist and percussionist and has been also featured with SoVoSo and Keith Terry's Crosspulse.

Carol Steele is a pioneering woman multi-percussionist whose percussive rhythms and voice have be heard in countless performances and recordings by international stars such as Mongo Santamaria, Manhattan Transfer, Steve Winwood, and many more. She is a native San Franciscan recently returned home after some 30 years in New York City.

Feliberto “Fito” Reinoso is a great Cuban sonero, rumbero and band- leader, and is one of the greatest exponents of those Cuban genres outside the island. He has delighted San Francisco Bay Area audiences with his melodious vocal improvisations since the early 1980s

Jose Luis Gomez is a Cuban vocalist who specializes in various folkloric styles from his homeland. He has resided in the San Francisco Bay Area since the 1970s.

Iluminado “Yaya” Maldonando is a Nuyorican who doubles as a percussionist and vocalist and specializes in the Cuban rumba. He has been a fixture in the Bay Area music scene since the mid 1980s.

Javier Navarrette is one of San Francisco's “young lions,” freelancing as a multi- percussionist with several of the best dance bands in the area and working more and more frequently as a teacher of youth and adults.

Yerba Buena Gardens is located at Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Street in San Francisco's SOMA District. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, which takes place from May through October, features over 100 events, including classical and jazz concerts, opera, international music events, theater, dance, children's and family programs, visual art exhibits, educational programs and cultural events.

write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page