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Story by Brad Walseth
Photos by John Broughton
Is there a more popular jazz combo in Chicago than Chevere? Hard to believe as they manage to pack the Green Mill year after year on their far-too-rare visits. Friday night was no exception as the band: drummer Alejo Poveda, pianist/harmonica-icon Howard Levy, percussionists Joe Rendon and Ruben Alverez, bassist Eric Hochberg, guitarist Ernie Denov, saxophonist Steve Eisen, trumpeter Mark Ohlsen and keyboardist Crais "Chicago Hambone" Cameron, had the audience cheering and dancing to their infectious brand of Latin jazz. Driven by the hard-charging rhythm section, Eisen and Ohlsen and guitarist Denov's solos were incendiary. Meanwhile, Levy's forays - especially on the mouth harp were crowd pleasers. However, Chevere's secret weapon may be "Hambone" Cameron's wide range of jaw-dropping sounds that he urges from his array of keyboards - something that seems to drive the crowd and other musicians into an over-the-top frenzy. Fiery exchanges between Denov and Cameron and Levy and Cameron were memorable on this night of special music from a special band in Chicago's historical Green Mill.
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