Readers in the Northern California can enjoy a tribute to legendary percussionist Armando Peraza this weekend, a free concert in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens. The event, hosted by Latin Percussion, will showcase a variety of percussionists influenced by Peraza’s work. Giovanni Hidalgo, John Santos, Michael Spiro, Karl Perrazo, Edgardo Cambon, and Carol Steele will be performing during the event. In addition, Fito Reinoso, Jose Luis Gomez, Iluminado “Yaya” Maldonando, and Javier Navarrette will be providing both vocal and percussion support. The program will feature a variety of Cuban folkloric music, including Conga de Comparsa, Bembe, Abakuá, and Iyesá.

Born and raised in Lawton Batista, Havana, Cuba, Peraza traveled first to Mexico and then New York City in 1949 with his friend Mongo Santamaria. After recording with a variety of groups in New York and Mexico, he eventually settled on the West Coast. Peraza quickly mixed into San Francisco’s music scene, finding a home in George Shearing’s group. Shearing’s interest in Afro-Cuban music brought the group to the forefront of the Mambo craze, and Peraza’s impressive conga skills brought his musicianship to national attention. In the 60s, Peraza joined Cal Tjader for a variety of classic recordings and created an album of folkloric music with Santamaria. In 1972, Peraza began a twenty year creative relationship with Carlos Santana. He became a mainstay of the band, contributing both as a performer and a composer. In the new century, Peraza remains semi-retired, playing occassionally on recordings such as John Santos’ 20th Anniversary and Rebeca Mauleón’s Descarga en California.

A Tribute to Armando Peraza will be held on Saturday, September 1st from 1 - 3 p.m. at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, on Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Streets.
You can find more info at www.ybgf.org

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