One struggle that musicians face during our economic downturn is the shrinking number of clubs regularly supporting Latin Jazz. Clubs that long served as homes to regular live performances have shrunk their schedule into one or two days a week. Clubs that once booked a large number of jazz groups are quickly turning towards more accessible dance bands or smaller ensembles that require less pay. In many instances, clubs have turned away from live musical all together, hiring a DJ to pump salsa, hip hop, reggaeton, and R n’ B into spaces once reserved for live bands. Many clubs that avidly supported the live music scene are slowly disappearing, victims of the current financial burden and the slowly declining jazz audience. As the gigs start to disappear, the competition becomes fiercer, and Latin Jazz groups find themselves battling for gigs against straight-ahead jazz, fusion, and more. Some Latin Jazz groups move into salsa territory to find more work while others shrink their ensembles. In the worst-case scenarios, bands simply don’t perform due to the lack of available clubs. Venues for experimentation become very rare, and artists with new approaches or emerging genres have trouble solidifying their concepts. In times like these, it becomes more important to support and value clubs that still hold onto a daily dose of live music.

Fortunately, we’ve still got some of those vital venues left; one of these clubs currently making an impact on the Afro-Peruvian Jazz scene is Tutuma Social Club. Hosting live music six days a week, Tutuma Social Club brings together great Peruvian food and culture in an entertaining way. The club plays host to a regular crowd of New York’s best Afro-Peruvian Jazz artists, including Gabriel Alegria, Yuri Juarez, Edward Perez, and Juan Medrano “Cotito.” In addition, they’ve taken a vested interest in the expansion of the music, creating the “Going Afro-Peruvian” series. In the same way that “Salsa Meets Jazz” at The Village Gate inspired the mixture of jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms, the “Going Afro-Peruvian” series has brought together the club’s Afro-Peruvian regulars with musicians such as trumpet player Jackie Coleman and tabla player Badal Roy. Audiences new to Afro-Peruvian music get plenty of opportunity to expand their horizons with all-ages matinees, Afro-Peruvian roots concerts, and traditional Peruvian peñas. The club finds a way to make their doors open to all interested parties – they never require a cover charge. The club encourages New York’s musicians to experience Afro-Peruvian music with jam sessions hosted by Hector Morales and after-hours sessions on Saturday nights. Even though the greater Latin Jazz scene increasingly feels the squeeze of a shrinking club scene, Afro-Peruvian Jazz has a home in New York where it can sustain the culture and grow as an art form.

Although Tutuma Social Club has actively hosted performances for several months, they celebrate their official grand opening tonight, moving into a wealth of great music during August. The grand opening celebration coincides with Peruvian Independence Day, so it should be quite of evening of festivities - don’t miss this! Upcoming artists in August include guitarists Eric Kurimski, Greg Diamond, and Hernan Romero, vocalists Claudia Alzamora and Jean Rohe, as well as Alegria’s Afro-Peruvian Sextet. For a full schedule, artist info, and more, check out the club’s website. We’re hoping that you show your support to Tutuma Social Club, so your Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix will take you inside the doors of the venue to hear some of the great music. Get a taste of the club with videos from Gabriel Alegria and Jackie Coleman performing live at Tutuma. Enjoy!

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Gabriel Alegria & His Afro-Peruvian Sextet

Trumpet Player Jackie Coleman

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Make sure that you check out Tutuma Social Club, the central hub for Afro-Peruvian Jazz here in the States. With so many clubs closing, your support become even more important!

TUTUMA SOCIAL CLUB
164 East 56th Street
New York, NY

Some Upcoming Performances That You Might Want To Check Out:
ERIC KURIMSKI
WHEN: Wednesday 7/29/09 - Sunday 8/2/09
TIME: 8:00 p.m. Wednesday; 8:00 p.m. 10:30 p.m. Thursday - Saturday; 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday

GREG DIAMOND
WHEN: Tuesday 8/4/09 - Wednesday 8/5/09
TIME: 8:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.

CLAUDIA ALZAMORA
WHEN: Friday 8/7/09 & Sunday 8/9/09
TIME: 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. Friday; 7:00 p.m. Sunday

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If you want to check out music from some of the upcoming performers at Tutuma:

Réplica

Dançando Com Ale

Nuevo Mundo

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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
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Sofia Rei Koutsovitis & Avantrio

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