Chance of a Lifetime…Cuban Jazz legend Candido’s 91st birthday celebration

Cuban percussionist Candido (Photo by Nick Venti)

By Jonathan Sindelman

For the first time in nearly 60 years, legendary Cuban percussionist Candido returns to Seattle with an all-star band.  The mere suggestion of his accomplishments might begin with pioneering the use of two (and eventually three) congas in modern music.

Credited with single-handedly bringing the congas to prominence in jazz music, as well as largely defining the sound of what would become the mambo and Afro-Cuban jazz, Candido remains among the last living pioneers of the art, having emerged at the dawn of the 50’s with seminal recordings and performances alongside icons like Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billy Taylor. 

Still touring the world at 91, word continues to spread like wildfire of his four-night stand at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, which could quite simply be considered a “chance of a lifetime” experience for any music lover.

With a total of six shows that will run through Sunday, October 21^st, this time the master of percussion has in tow a stellar cast:  Tito Puente vocalist Frankie “Mr. Estilio” (Mr. Style) Figueroa, timbale master Pete Escovedo (father of Sheila E., and contributor to countless artists, including Carlos Santana and Herbie Hancock), Larry Harlow on piano (creator of the Latin Grammy Award), bassist Yunior Terry (preservationist and descendant of Havana’s famed Los Terry’s family), and drummer Steve Berrios (Art Blakey, Mongo Santamaria).

Testimonials thus far have prompted many to change their plans, as the shows have been called extraordinary, and with the Latin tradition still donning a musical wardrobe that vivaciously strikes our ears like the future of music.

For ticket information visit: http://www.jazzalley.com/reservations_1.asp?showid=1199