Seattle’s Jazz Alley Danced to Afro-Cuban All Stars
On the 1st of three presentations of the Afro-Cuban All Stars in Seattle, it was delightful to see a full house shaking and dancing to the beat of Juan de Marco’s Afro Cuban All Stars music.
Seeing a full Jazz Alley on a Tuesday evening, after seeing a full Meany Hall Theater in the University of Washington on a Sunday night to see the Afro-Cuban folk group Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, means that Cuban music is alive and well in Seattle.
The Afro-Cuban All Stars really knew how to manage the audience. They started with a mellow instrumental tune that got the band and the crowd warmed up, and featured the excellent maestro Gabrielito Hernandez on piano. It was funny how Juan de Marcos fist-bumped him after the piano solo.
After that, things got hotter by the song, and the audience loved every minute of it. A “son montuno” followed, and then a tribute to one of the Buena Vista Social Club elder legends who passed away, “Puntillita” with the cha-cha “Guajira (el son te llama)”, where Gabrielito again showcased why he’s one of the top rated pianist of Cuba.
The band also played the “bolero” “Dos Gardenias” and the “son” “El Cuarto de Tula” from the Buena Vista Social Club repertoire. They also played a “timba” and what sounded like a “songo” at the end.
Juan de Marcos predicted that he would allow space for the band to show its musicianship and improvisation. They sure did. The percussion was excellent, anchored by Pepito in the congas, veteran Calixto Olviedo on timbales, and Tony on bongos. The trumpet section had their solo moments as well. The singers Panta, Emilio, and El Galan (who sang with the legendary Orquesta Riverside) did a great job of keeping the songs alive.
The Afro-Cuban All Stars felt at ease at the Jazz Alley. “We’ve never been here before, but we like clubs like the Jazz Alley because they are cozy and you feel the warmth of the audience. Some of the big theaters feel too ‘cold’ and you play differently there.” said the piano maestro Gabrielito after their presentation. A couple of times band members came down from stage to play or sing within the audience tables.
During the last song, the metals went off to one side of the room, the singers mixed through different places in the audience, and the sound was coming from all over the Jazz Alley. Juan de Marcos and his musicians were having trouble moving around the room as every hall and space between tables became an improvised dance floor for experienced and novice dancers alike.
At the end of the show the band hanged around and gladly posed for photos with whoever requested one. This is one of the best acts I’ve seen in a while, and with the display of fan support seen I believe that the Afro-Cuban All Stars will be back to Seattle, and that Latin music will be in greater demand in the Pacific Northwest.