SUMMER SERIES: AFRO-CUBAN MUSIC & DANCE: (MOLAA) JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
SUMMER SERIES OF AFRO-CUBAN MUSIC AND DANCE CONCERTS RETURNS TO THE MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART (MOLAA)
IN LONG BEACH
MOLAA, IN COLLABORATION WITH YAMBU PRODUCTIONS, BRINGS A
SIZZLING MUSIC SERIES TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Vesper Public Relations, Los Angeles, CA– June, 2015. For the second consecutive year, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, CA, in collaboration with Yambu Productions, presents a summer music series in their Sculpture Garden showcasing Afro-Cuban music. Following the success of the 2014 series and in keeping with their tradition of promoting Latin culture to Southern California audiences, MOLAA will offer a series of live performances featuring contemporary artists, each celebrated and recognized for their contributions to the preservation of the traditional sounds of Afro-Cuban music.
July 18
Remembering The Palladium Days, Chapter 3: Mambo is Back and It is Here to Stay
The concert series kicks off with the six-time Grammy Award-winning, Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez and Mambo Revue, the highly acclaimed Big Band Orchestra from Los Angeles led by Freddie Crespo. Mambo Revue will return to MOLAA to perform the music of the “Big Three”, Machito, Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez.
This reunion will bring together, for the first time in Los Angeles, the unique sounds of Mambo Revue and “Dandy” Rodriguez, a name linked not only to the mambo era and the famous Palladium Ballroom but also to the Latin music landscape of New York and around the salsa and dance world.
For “Dandy” Rodriguez, performing this genre of music is a family tradition. His father, Johnny Rodriguez Sr., performed with Tito Puente, Machito and Tito Rodriguez from 1947 until 1980. “Dandy” began performing with the “Big Three” in 1962. During the course of his musical career, he also performed with some of the most important orchestras from New York, including Ray Barretto, Tipica 73, Celia Cruz, Fania All Stars at the same time playing with Tito Puente’s Orchestra for 30 years until Puente’s death in 2000. Now “Dandy” conducts Mambo Legends, with the participation of most of the former members of Tito Puente’s orchestra.
August 29
Cubana Be, Cubana Bop, The Return of Bebop: The Music of Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo
If ever there was a time in jazz and Latin music worthy of mention in every history book, it would be the moment in 1947 when composer and bandleader, Dizzy Gillespie, invited Cuban percussionist, Chano Pozo, to be part of his band. Pozo, a singer, dancer and composer, in addition to percussionist, played a major role in the founding of Latin jazz. He also played an influential role in Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet arrangements, co-writing some of Gillespie's Latin-flavored compositions including "Manteca" and "Tin Tin Deo.” Gillespie then became a major figure in the development of the bebop and modern jazz era, and is considered, to this day, as a virtuoso. His scat singing, his bent horn, pouched cheeks and his light-hearted personality were essential in popularizing bebop and jazz.
For this concert, the Cal State University Los Angeles Afro Latin Ensembleunder the music direction of Dr. Paul De Castro will evoke the nostalgia of that important era with masterful guest artists such as Colombian reed player, Justo Almario, trumpet player, Harry Kim, Cuban master percussionist, Calixto Oviedo, and two-time Grammy Award winning percussionist, Joey De Leon.
September 26
The Roaring Seventies: Salsa, Music from the Streets of New York
For more than 25 years Conjunto Costazul has been playing its hard driving New York style salsa music for dancers on the West Coast. With its unique four trombone sound and hard hitting percussion section, Conjunto Costazulis considered to be the best orchestra in Los Angeles for both music lovers and hard core salsa dancers. This year Conjunto Costazul is joining forces with one of today's most esteemed salsa singers, Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Herman Olivera, who is returning to Southern California after his highly acclaimed performance during MOLAA’s 2014 season. Olivera began singing professionally with local New York bands at the age of 15. He was then given the opportunity to sing lead vocals with Conjunto Libre, under the direction of Manny Oquendo and Andy Gonzalez. After two decades withConjunto Libre, Olivera worked regularly with Johnny Pacheco, Ray Barretto, and The Machito Orchestra, to name just a few. He currently performs with Eddie Palmieri’s orchestra and is featured on five of Palmieri’s CD's, including "Masterpiece/Obra Maestra" with the late, great Tito Puente, which earned two Grammys.
These events are sponsored in part by Don Nacho Tequila.
Tickets:
VIP Preferred Seating: $50 | Seated: $40 | Standing Room Only, $30. MOLAA members receive a 10% discount. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
To purchase tickets or for more information: Call (562) 437-1689 or visithttp://www.molaa.org.
###
About the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) was founded in 1996 in Long Beach, California and serves the greater Los Angeles area. MOLAA is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American art. Since its inception, MOLAA has doubled in size and continues to expand its permanent collection, ranging from works by Tamayo and Matta to Cruz-Diez, Los Carpinteros and Tunga. With its physical expansion complete, MOLAA’s focus is on strengthening its position as a multidisciplinary institution providing cross-cultural dialogue.
Calendar listing
Event:
Summer Music Series at MOLAA - A concert series showcasing Afro-Cuban music and dance.
Place:
The Sculpture Garden
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802
Dates:
Saturday, July 18 | Mambo Revue featuring master percussionist Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez | Remembering the Palladium Days, Chapter 3: Mambo is Back and It is Here to Stay
Saturday, August 29 | CSULA Afro Latin Ensemble with Special Guests | Cubana Be, Cubana Bop, the Return of Bebop: The Music of Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo
Saturday, September 26 | Conjunto Costazul featuring Herman Olivera | The Roaring Seventies: Salsa, Music from the Streets of New York
Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Concerts begin at 8:00PM
Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Ticket Information:
VIP Preferred Seating: $50 | Seated: $40 | Standing Room Only, $30.
MOLAA members receive a 10% discount.
***Ticket prices at the door, if available will be higher
Tickets are available for purchase at MOLAA during Museum hours, by calling(562) 437-1689 or online at www.molaa.org.
More Information: www.facebook.com/yambuprodpresents