“RITMO CALIENTE”

A Tribute to Latin Jazz Masters with the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, Gregg Gelb, music director

Featuring “The Afro Cuban Jazz Suite” by legendary Cuban composer, Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill

Two Shows:

Friday, April 7,2017 @ 8pm at the Lee County Arts and Community Center, 507 N. Steele Street, Sanford,NC

Saturday, April 8, 2017 @ 8pm at Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC

With Special Guest Latin Percussionists

Billy Marrero, Bonguero; Ramon Ortiz, Tamborilero; Pako Santiago, Conguero

Tickets at both venues are $15.

This program is dedicated to the unique marriage of Latin and Jazz structure and rhythms and will also include authentic Latin Jazz works by Ray Santos, Mongo SantaMaria and Duke Ellington. Chico O’Farrill is widely considered one of the main architects of modern Afro Cuban big band jazz, fusing Latin, classical and a variety of other influences. He wrote and arranged works for many prominent music giants, including Machito, Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie. Count Basie, Benny Goodman, as well as a long list of other jazz greats.

The Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, founded by Gregg Gelb, has brought top quality jazz performance to central North Carolina for the past 25 years and is dedicated to presenting, performing and educating audiences in what is recognized as America’s classical and original music – Jazz. He is a well-known and respected musician and composer throughout North Carolina and has distinguished himself as director/conductor of the Jazz at Lincoln Center award-winning student band, the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble, a first for this state.

Artistic advisor for this concert is Eric Oberstein, a Grammy and Latin-Grammy winning music producer and Associate Director of Duke Performances. With family roots in Cuba and a musician himself and having recorded O’Farrill’s music in Havana, he brings clarity and authenticity to this program.

Dancing in the aisle expected.

For more info, email gregg@carolinajazz.com.