Beyond Standards Ensemble concert, May 11, 2007, Schenectady Whisperdome, 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308. With Jazz/Latino, inc. President, Dr. José E. Cruz, clockwise from top left Andrea Brachfeld, Wilson “Chembo” Corniel; Elio Villafranca; Vince Cherico; Carlo DeRosa; and Steve Turre. Photos by Elena Cruz-Allen.

Sonido Isleño concert, May 16, 2007, Schenectady Whisperdome. Clockwise from top left Benjamin Lapidus, Michael Molina and Francisco Javier Cotto; Michael Molina and Félix Sanabria; Héctor Torres; Michael Molina; Francisco Javier Cotto. Photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk. 

Bobby Sanabria and Quarteto Aché concert, May 25, 2007, Schenectady Whisperdome. Clockwise from top left Alex Hernández and Bobby Sanabria; Enrique Haneine; Jeff Lederer; Enrique Haneine, Alex Hernández, Bobby Sanabria, and Jeff Lederer. Photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk. For a review click here

Ahora, Latin/Jazz! at the Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084, Spring 2008 Series. Clockwise from top left Bobby Sanabria on the drumset; Bobby Sanabria playing Chekere as part of lecture and performance, “Clave: A Rhythmic Journey From Africa to the New World,” April 2, 2008, 7:00 pm; Jennifer Vincent, Bassist; Dr. José E. Cruz; Guilderland Public Library Reference Librarian Maria Buhl; Nicki Denner, pianist; and Willie Martinez, drummer, after the concert by the Nicki Denner Latin Jazz Trio, April 12, 2008, 2:00 pm. Photos by Colwyn Allen.

Clockwise from top left, Brian Lynch; Pedrito Martinez; Justin Brown; Luques Curtis; Zaccai Curtis; Brian Lynch & Spheres of Influence. May 2, 2008 at the Schenectady Whisperdome, Ahora, Latin/Jazz! Spring 2008 Series. Photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk.

Ahora, Latin/Jazz! at the New York State Museum in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The Zaccai Curtis Trio at the Carole Huxley Theater, New York State Museum, Albany, New York, September 17, 2008. Clockwise from top left, Zaccai Curtis; Luques Curtis; Tony Escapa; The Zaccai Curtis Trio. Photos by Albert Brooks. This program was sponsored by the New York State Department of Health Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, the New York State Office of General Services, the New York State Lottery, and the New York State Museum/New York State Education Department.

The 2008 Ahora, Latin/Jazz! series came to a close on November 15, 2008 with a performance by the Boston-based group Enclave at the Guilderland Public Library. Clockwise from top left, Enclave at the Heldelberg Room, Guilderland Public Library; Rebecca Cline on piano; Fernando Huergo on bass; Cline addressing the audience; Hilary Noble on flute; Steve Langone on drums; Noble on sax; Noble on congas; Noble on sax. Photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk.

Photos below by Dr. Joseph Bowman, November 15, 2008. From the top down, Rebecca Cline; Enclave with Noble on foreground; Enclave with Cline on foreground; Fernando Huergo and Steve Langone; Steve Langone; Dr. Jose E. Cruz and Enclave.

The 2009 Ahora, Latin/Jazz! season got off to a great start on March 28 with the show Palladium Nights at The Egg, featuring Ballet Hispanico with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Dr. Jose E. Cruz and Arturo O’Farrill. Photo by Elizabeth Allen

Dr. Jose E. Cruz and Peter Lesser, Executive Director of The Egg. Photo by Elizabeth Allen.

Arturo O’Farrill in a post-concert chat with Dr. Jose E. Cruz, Bobby Rivera, Pedro Diaz, and Nelly Massenet. This photo and photos below by Joseph Putrock.

Arturo O’Farrill’s students at SUNY-Purchase entertained the crowd at the post-performance reception.

O’Farrill with SUNY Central Administration Deputy Provost and Drummer Jim Ketterer.

SUNY Board of Trustees member Bob Bellafiore handing O’Farrill a token of appreciation on behalf of SUNY. “Is it tenure?,” O’Farrill wondered outloud. It wasn’t but he certainly deserves it!

Bill McCann, host of WCDB-FM’s “The Jazz Corner” and president of UAlbany’s Alumni Association addressing the post-performance reception crowd.

O’Farrill signs a copy of his Grammy-winning recording “A Song for Chico” for Jazz/Latino Board member and host of WCDB-FM’s “Maiden Voyage” Joseph Bowman (right). Looking on is Herb Crossman, a local resident and Jazz/Latino enthusiast.

Local jazz notable and father of bassist Gregg August, Ed August addresses O’Farrill while Jazz/Latino Board Chair, attorney, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist Walter Ramos and his wife Nellie Massenet look on approvingly.

Local jazz stalwart Mike Lategano makes a point while multitasker O’Farrill listens and signs his CD “Song for Chico” for him. Between Lategano and O’Farrill, local DJ Maria Perez, AKA “Lady Salsa.” 

O’Farrill shakes hands with a beaming Joseph Giordano, a piano and trombone student, while his father, trombonist and music teacher, Mark Giordano looks on. Arturo’s tongue-in-cheek words of encouragement for Joseph? “Study hard, be good so you can travel the world over for very little money.”  For a review click here

A handshake for the ages!

Our second event of the 2009 season was a “bio-performance” by master percussionist, composer, arranger, and educator Bobby Sanabria on the life and music of El Rey del Timbal, maestro Ernest Anthony Puente, Jr. AKA Tito Puente, at the University at Albany on April 16.

Sanabria answers a question from an audience member. On the background, El Rey del Timbal, Tito Puente. Photo by Elena Martinez

There was a microphone stand but Sanabria nevertheless told Dr. Cruz, “Aguantame el aparato!” and then proceeded to ask the audience “Is everybody ready?!!!” Photo by Elena Martinez

Before his performance at the University at Albany Sanabria gave a master class to a young local drummer, Joe Ulmer. In the background Deb Ulmer, videotaping the session. Photo by Jose E. Cruz

Bobby Sanabria and a very happy Joe Ulmer after the master class.

Photo by Jose E. Cruz

Two views of the audience at the University at Albany during Sanabria’s program on Tito Puente. Photos by Jose E. Cruz. For a review click here

On April 24, Ahora, Latin/Jazz! moved to the Schenectady Whisperdome for its third event of the season, a concert by Willie Martinez La Familia Sextet.

Willie Martinez. Photos by Jose E. Cruz

Jennifer Vincent, Max Schweiger, Willie Martinez, Renato Thoms. Photo by Jose E. Cruz

J. Walter Hawkes. Photo by Jose E. Cruz

Misha Tsiganov. Photo by Jose E. Cruz

Renato Thoms. Photo by Jose E. Cruz

La Familia Sextet at the Whisperdome. From left to right, Renato Thoms, Jennifer Vincent, Dr. Jose E. Cruz, Willie Martinez,  J. Walter Hawkes, Misha Tsiganiv,  Max Schweiger. Photo by Andrzej Pilarczyk. For a concert review click here

Willie Martinez sharing insights about Afro-Latin drumming with local drummers. Photo by Andrzej Pilarczyk

J. Walter Hawkes. Photo by Andrzej Pilarczyk

Jennifer Vincent and Max Schweiger. Photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk

Misha Tsiganov on Piano and Renato Thoms on congas. Photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk

Below, La Familia Sextet. Photo by Andrzej Pilarczyk

The 2009 Ahora, Latin/Jazz! series came to a close with a grand performance by Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS band at the Schenectady Whisperdome. 

Soundcheck at the Whisperdome. Clockwise from the top, Chris Washburne addressing Diego Lopez; Cristian Rivera rehearsing a chart; Diego Lopez rehearsing his chart; From left to right, Ricky Rodriguez, Ole Mathisen, and Chris Washburne. Photos by Jose E. Cruz

Below from left to right, Ricardo “Ricky” Rodriguez on bass and Barry Olsen on piano. Photos by Jose E. Cruz

Performance photos below by Andrzej Pilarczyk

Ole Mathisen, sax; Chris Washburne, trombone

Cristian Rivera

Ricardo “Ricky” Rodriguez

From left to right, Diego Lopez and Barry Olsen

The band after the concert. From left to right, Diego Lopez, Ole Mathisen, Barry Olsen, Dr. Jose E. Cruz, Chris Washburne, Ricardo “Ricky” Rodriguez, and Cristian Rivera. For a concert review click here