Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble

On this evening, the audience was treated to a mixture of originals and Afro-Cuban standards. Arturo Ortiz's "Bomba Mundo" (arranged by trumpeter Tito Carillo) opened things up in fiery fashion with Greg Ward's burning alto solo, while Darwin's original "Miles Smiles" gave the composer/pianist a chance to shine, while also featuring fine tenor saxophonist Rocky Yera. Working well in tandem with co-leader Darwin, Victor Garcia introduces the tunes, conducts the band, plays the trumpet and flugelhorn and percussion. And for the first time ever, Garcia revealed a new talent - that of singing. His duet with Nythia Martinez was delightful and his vocals added to the fun when veteran singer Papo Santiago ascended the stage and performed the crowd favorite "Baranga." Michel Camilo's "Suite Sandrine" concluded the first set, which also featured nice work from Carillo on trumpet, Noguera, Yera and trombonist John Mose.

The second set continued the fun and turned the focus more toward the explosive rhythm section of Victor Rodriguez on congas, Juan Pastor on drums, Juan Picorelli on timbales and Josh Ramos on songs like Darwin and Victor's "Percussion Concerto" and "Captain Spok" and Camilo's "Caribe." Nythia Martinez and Papo Santiago added more great vocals on "Lo Que Mas You Quiero" and Santiago's own "Viva Chicago." Darwin's piano work was delicious throughout the rhythms churning and the horn arrangements hot and spicy. Had there been a dance floor, I doubt they could have stopped people from leaping to their feet and moving their bodies to the polyrhythms. A burning version of "Viques" ended the evening with an incendiary cutting contest between Garcia and trombonist Craig Sunken, which had the audience worked into a frenzy.

It is clear that this band needs to be recorded and also needs to have a venue to call its own. The time is right. I was talking with Neil Tesser about the CALJE and asked him if he thought the band was making progress in its goal of becoming a "world-class" Afro-Latin Jazz orchestra. He turned to me with a smile and said "Don't you think they already have." Well said, Neil.

Set 1:
Bomba Mundo- Arturo Ortiz arranged by: Tito Carrillo
Miles Smiles-Darwin N. & Victor G.
Salsa Duet- Victor G. & Darwin N.
Bossa Pegajosa- Juan Turros, friend from Miami
Baranga- Tito Rodriguez
Suite Sandrine- Michel Camilo


Set 2:
Percussion Concerto- Darwin N. & Victor G.
Lo Que Mas Yo Quiero- Choco Orta
Captain Spok- Victor G. & Darwin N.
Viva Chicago- Papo Santiago & Edwin Sanchez
Caribe- Michel Camilo
Viques- Ricardo Pons