Sitarason Afro Cuban Ensemble with “EL MAESTRO” Lazaro Galarraga

Thursday, AUGUST 17th, 8PM (2 sets to dance to!!)Traditional Cuban Song and Latin dance music w Afro-Cuban Roots! Renowned “El Maestro” Lazaro Galarraga returns with Jon-o Knight (guitar, vocals), Bobby Wilmore (percussion, vocals), Matt Amper (keys), Leider Chappotin (trumpet) Adan Alonso (guitar), bringing Afro Cuban Song and dance –and these great musicians like to mix it all up…bring your DANCING SHOES !!!!

• Dancing : $15 OR Companion Pass for 2 people $24
• SIT-DOWN GTD CHAIR SEATING $30 or discount for 2 people for $50
• Corazon Monthly Membership Discount $10

LAZARO GALARRAGA:

“El Maestro” Lazaro Galarraga has dedicated his life to the love of Afro-Cuban music, culture and folklore. That love has transformed him into a teacher, performing artist, actor, writer, choreographer and mentor. A native of Havana, Cuba, Maestro Galarraga was an original member of the distinguished Conjunto Folkloric Nacional de Cuba, and is currently the Folkloric Musical Director of the international organization dedicated to the preservation of percussion, Percussion Artists Workshop or PAWS.

Maestro has recorded and performed with masters such as Chucho Valdes, Paquito D’Rivera, Herbie Hancock, Al McKibbon and Placid Domingo among others. Other notable performances include the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, for President George Bush at the White House, and the Latin Jazz Festival at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. His life is captured in films like actor Andy Garcia’s ‘Cachao Documentary’, Oscar Valdes’ ‘Documental La Rumba’ and the feature film ‘Dance With Me’ starring Cheyenne and Vanessa Williams.

Maestro provides stimulating lectures at museums, educational institutes and universities on Afro-Cuban music and culture to the Southern Californian community. El Maestro received his Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Music Theory, History of Art and in Cuban Folklore from the Escuela Nacional de Arte for his vision and influence on Afro-Cuban music.

JON-O KNIGHT’s classical background is intermingled with a Latin America/ Spanish flair. He is identified with his dulcet guitar sounds and as a nice departure from an entire instrumental repertoire, sings in many different vocal styles including Flamenco and Cuban.

MATT AMPER Piano/Composer/Arranger is a native of Sylmar, California, Matt founded Rumbankete in 2004 after graduating from California Institute of the arts, where he received a BA in Jazz Piano. He is an active member of the Los Angeles area’s Latin and Caribbean-influenced music scene and has performed with the likes of Gilberto Santa Rosa and Oscar Hernández.

BOBBY WILMORE came to Los Angeles in 2001 on a music scholarship to USC Thornton School of Music to study Jazz Drumming and World Percussion. Performing with some of L.A.s finest; including Harry Belafonte, Andy Garcia, Francisco Aguabella, Rebekah Del Rio, Justo Almario, Bill Watrous, Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro, Bianca Ryan, and Maestro Lázaro Galarraga. Bobby has also done many studio sessions with artists such as Maya Angelou, Ron Trent, Karsh Kale, The Quit Orchestra, Shawn Rivera, Moonlight Carnival, Kathleen Grace, Roger Carnes, and Jorge Black.

ADAN ALONSO is a freelance bass guitarist living in Los Angeles and a recent graduate of the Los Angeles College of Music. His influences cover a wide range of styles including Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, and Thelonious Monk and is adept at covering many styles such as rock, jazz, and latin music. He currently performs with Sitarason, backing up legendary Cuban singer Lazaro Galarraga and freelances with many salsa bands around town. Adan has studied under Jerry Watts Jr., David LeVray, Steve Billman, Andre Berry, and Joey Herredia.

LEIDER CHAPPOTIN, master Trumpet player and the great grand-son of Cuba’s legendary Felix Chappotín