El festival latino del jazz comienza esta noche! *

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 10, 2004 5:31PM

Release your inner Tito Puente or your inner Turiya Mareya because the Jazz En Clave Festival, Chicago’s First Annual Latin Jazz Festival, starts tonight. “Jazz In Key” features performances at HotHouse, the South Loop’s best live music venue, and continues through Sunday with additional events at the Chicago Historical Society and the Ruis Belvis Cultural Center. Since Latin jazz has only been a Grammy category since 1994, it’s no surprise that it’s taken this long for Chicago to have it’s own celebration of an art form that explores the African and Caribbean influences of a genre often overshadowed by American influences.

Though Hothouse events tend to be a little on the expensive side (quality doesn’t come cheap!), tonight’s kickoff features an all-ages jam session with Andy Gonzales at 5 PM. Also free is tonight’s discussion at the Chicago Historical Society with two kings of Latin jazz: John Santos and Bobby Sanabria. Catch the talk at 6:30 PM and then head back to Hothouse for Blue Son and the Quarteto Valdés Latin Jazz Ensemble featuring Chuchito Valdés. Cover is only $10 and $5 for students.

Jazz En Clave is also a chance for you to sharpen your own skills on the congos, timbales, and cowbell. Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri will hold a class Thursday at HotHouse and perform two shows on Friday the 12th. Sunday you can show off all your new talents at Ruis Belvis Cultural Center (1632 N. Milwaukee) in a descarga session (that’s jam session to you, gringo) at 3 PM but it’s BYO Cowbell. The finale discussion at the Chicago Historical Society focuses on the roots of Latin jazz at 6:30 before a final show at Hothouse. Unfortunately, with so many overlapping events you’re going to have to make some tough choices, Sophie. Check out the Hothouse and Chicago Historical Society websites for the full details and this site for some history on Latin jazz. The Historical Society's Latin Jazz: La Combinacion Perfecta exhibit also continues through March.

* Disclaimer: Any poorly conjugated verb forms or lousy translations can be laid squarely at the virtual feet of Altavista's Babelfish website.