The jazz community looks forward to the summer season every year, for we all know that the warm weather also brings a wealth of jazz festivals around the world, giving our best musicians a chance to share their music. The festivals range in size, flavor, and scope, from the farmer’s market style booths complemented by a local jazz group to the massive days of jazz in Montreal and San Jose with groups from around the world. You’ll almost find Latin Jazz groups at these festivals, playing an energetic set next to a world class swing group. High profile Latin Jazz artists such as Poncho Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Michel Camilo, and Paquito D’Rivera do quite well at these venues, performing for a large audience, even serving as the event’s headline attraction. Although I’m quite happy to see these festivals continue throughout the year with the participation of Latin Jazz artists, it’s a pity that we don’t see more full-fledged Latin Jazz festivals at any time throughout the year. The Greek Theater in Los Angeles has hosted a Latin Jazz festival for two years running, Miami holds the yearly Latin Jazz themed Carnival on the Mile, San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens runs a regular Latin Jazz series, and Brownsville now has 12 impressive years of Latin Jazz behind them at their festival. This week, Chicago celebrates the third year of its Latin Jazz festival by hosting a one-night event held at the Humboldt Park Boathouse.

The festival will contain three local artists that are keeping Latin Jazz alive in Chicago, including the headline artists, the city’s very own Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble. Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Paulinho Garcia opens the night, bringing a combination of bossa nova, samba, and jazz into the forefront. He’s the real deal too, starting his professional career in Brazil as a teen before moving to the States, establishing a strong studio career, and fueling the Chicago music scene with a variety of Brazilian based groups. John Rodriguez and Latin Inspiration take the next spot in the lineup, adding a bit of Cuban Jazz flavor into the proceedings. The eight-piece group emphasizes original compositions in their set, filled with creative energy and strong performances. Check out an example of the top-notch music from Latin Inspiration at their website. The night should truly come alive when the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble takes the stage to close out the night. The group sports fifteen members and a keen working knowledge of the Latin Jazz world and a broad range of experiences with some of the genre’s greats. Led by trumpet player Victor Garcia and pianist Darwin Noguera, the group keeps the Latin Jazz big band tradition alive with a combination of modern and classic pieces. Formed in 2006, the group is still fairly new, but they’ve used those three years to their advantage, building a cohesive unit that presents a bold and exciting sound. Latin Jazz fans in Chicago should revel in this event; a full night dedicated to Latin Jazz, filled with outstanding performers from their own region - that’s something that the city should truly cherish.

Chicago should count itself lucky - not only do they host a completely Latin Jazz focused festival, they serve as a home to a large ensemble dedicated to the art of Latin Jazz. The creative big band experience belongs to colleges for the most part these days, and very few academic institutions house both a swing and a Latin Jazz big band. Look on the professional scene, and the pickings are even slimmer. The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble offers a big band experience that most cities can’t afford, but most likely, musicians and listeners across the country would love to own. There are very few groups like this around the country - Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra in New York and Jose Rizo’s Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars in Los Angeles are a couple of rare examples. The rest of us will just need to remain envious and imagine the treat that Chicago gets to experience this Friday night. To make it come alive for the rest of us, our Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is a clip of the group performing in 2007. Enjoy . . . and Chicago Latin Jazz fans - have a great night, someone please get in touch with feedback, pictures, and more!

The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble

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The Chicago Latin Jazz Festival will be held this Friday July 17, 2009; if you’re in the area, make sure that you check it out. Performers will be Paulinho Garcia, John Rodriguez and Latin Inspiration, and the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Chicago Latin Jazz Festival
WHEN: Friday 7/17/09
WHERE: Humboldt Park Boathouse
1359 N. Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
TICKETS: FREE

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For more from Chicago’s Latin Jazz scene, you can check out the latest from one of The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble’s leaders, Darwin Noguera:

The Gardner

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Do you have a video to contribute to satisfy our weekly Latin Jazz video fix? If so, send it in - it’s time to feed our addiction. I’m looking for live performances, from any context. I’ll most likely be posting one video per week, but if you’ve got another idea, let’s talk. So come on Latin Jazz videographers, musicians, and fans - let’s share some of our memorable videos! Get my contact info HERE

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Check Out These Related Posts:
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: “Yo No Como Camote” by Edward Perez
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: The Making Of Off & On, The Music Of Moacir Santos, Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge
The Time Altering Impact Of Reunions: Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Neuvayorquino On Video
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Chase Morrin & The Latin Connection Quintet

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