In these challenging economic times, every piece of the music community needs to think creatively about ways to keep our vibrant music scenes alive. Musicians obviously need to work hard and multi-task; the modern musician needs to spend a good chunk of their time wearing multiple hats from artist to promoter and manager. The modern music business model demands that musicians take control of their own career, but in reality, they need time to develop their artistic concept and hone their craft. In order for this to happen, the rest of the music community needs to create opportunities for them to perform and build a decent income. Managers need to look at a wider range of performance venues, exploring locations, events, and festivals outside the normal collection of Public relations specialists need to balance the precarious thread between old and new media, reaching out to newspapers and radio while they spend hours building connections across social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Fans need to make an important choice about how they spend their money, keeping in mind that attending a concert not only provides enjoyment, but it also helps musicians survive. As new financial challenges continually squeeze our resources, the survival of high quality music and the ongoing success of intelligent musicians relies upon a partnership between the whole music community that gives, takes, and supports in many ways.

Nightclubs certainly need to do their part by continuing to hire the best musicians – as the economy forces clubs closed, one club keeps doing their part for the Latin Jazz community, Creole Restaurant. Throughout July and August, the club has booked some of the top names in Latin Jazz as part of their Latin Jazz Legacy Series. Seeking to invigorate the jazz scene in Harlem, Creole Restaurant has raised the artistic standard for the standard club gig, mixing great food with high quality Latin Jazz. In July, the club featured weekends with two of the Latin Jazz world’s finest congueros, Chembo Corniel and Steve Kroon. Backed by his outstanding band Grupo Chaworo, Corniel continued to celebrate the release of his most recent album Things I Wanted to Do. Kroon brought together a number of strong musicians including drummer Alex Garcia, saxophonist Craig Rivers, and vibraphonist Bryan Carrott to perform selections from his album El Mas Alla. The concert series continue in August with The Latin Jazz All-Stars, a one-time collection of some of the Latin Jazz world’s finest, featuring trumpet player Brian Lynch, conguero Little Johnny Rivero, drummer Willie Martinez, saxophonist Peter Branin, bassist Hans Glawischnig & pianist John Di Martino. Two weeks later, Creole will host a Tribute To Ray Barretto with an amazing array of musicians, including trombonist Steve Turre, saxophonist Peter Branin, bassist Boris Kozlov, Corniel, and Cherico. The Creole Restaurant has taken a chance on Latin Jazz, and it’s a bold move, anchored by some of the best in New York.

If you’re in the New York area over the next month, make sure to check out the Latin Jazz Legacy Series at the Creole Restaurant. When a club makes a move to support Latin Jazz, we’ve got to show our appreciation – and you’ll get to hear some world-class music! Today’s Latin Jazz Photo Album includes pictures from the first weekend of the Creole’s Latin Jazz Legacy concerts with Chembo Corniel & Grupo Chaworo. Enjoy!

The Creole Restaurant

Chembo Corniel At The Creole Restaurant

Chembo Corniel & Ivan Renta At The Creole Restaurant

Vince Cherico At The Creole Restaurant

Chembo Corniel & Ivan Renta At The Creole Restaurant

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Don’t forget to check out the August shows in the Creole Restaurant’s Latin Jazz Legacy Series. It should be an incredible group of shows!

LATIN JAZZ ALL-STARS
featuring Brian Lynch, Little Johnny Rivero, Willie Martinez, Peter Branin, Hans Glawischnig & John Di Martino
Friday 8/7/09 - Saturday 8/8/09

TRIBUTE TO RAY BARRETTO
featuring Steve Turre, Chembo Corniel, Peter Branin, Vince Cherico & Boris Kozlov
Friday 8/28/09 - Saturday 8/29/09

Creole Restaurant
2167 3rd Avenue
New York, NY
TIME: 8:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $15

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Looking for more from Chembo Corniel? Start by checking out Part 1 of this week’s Latin Jazz Photo Album featuring Corniel HERE

From there, check out some of his albums:

Things I Wanted to Do

For The Rest Of Your Life

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Do you have pictures to contribute to the Latin Jazz photo album? I’d love to have everyone in the Latin Jazz community contribute! I’ll be posting five to ten pictures a week - I’m looking for live performance shots, not promo pics. I’d like to keep them centered around one artist per week, but if you’ve got another idea, let’s talk. So come on Latin Jazz photographers, musicians, and fans - let’s put some more memorable pictures in the Latin Jazz Photo Album! Get my contact info HERE

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Check Out These Related Posts:
Focusing The Spotlight: Yuri Juarez & Tutuma Social Club
6 Latin Jazz Tracks That Feature Guitarist Edgardo Miranda
10 Latin Jazz Perspectives On Miles Davis
Latin Jazz Standards: 10 Versions Of Tin Tin Deo

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