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ART VIEWS
by Chuck Reider
This weekend the Reno Jazz Orchestra (RJO) will present Fuego on July 20 in Reno’s Wingfield Park and again July 22 in the Warren Edward Trepp stage at Sand Harbor. My last blog I shared my love for Latin music and gave you background on the music and those that made it flourish in America. Today let me introduce to you the artists joining the 17-piece RJO and the material we will be performing.
Our featured guest artist is Edgardo Cambón who joined us for two previous Latin concerts. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Edgardo started his professional career at the ripe age of nine, singing Tangos on public television. He has performed and toured throughout South America, Europe, Africa, and since 1986 he is a much in demand musician in the U.S.A. An LP (Latin Percussion Co.) endorser, Mr. Cambón has performed or recorded with artists such as Jesús “Chucho” Valdés (Irakere,) Eddie Palmieri, Carlos Santana, José Luis “Changuito” Quintana, Orestes Vilató, Omar Sosa, Andy Narell, Sovosó (formerly Bobby Mc. Ferrin’s “Voicestra”) Mike Spiro, Karl Perazzo and Rebeca Mauleón. Edgardo has released four productions of acclaimed original Salsa-latin Jazz compositions. He was commissioned to compose the acclaimed song Omi Yeyé featured in the recording of Grammy Winners Pacific Mambo orchestra. As an educator, Edgardo presents workshops on Afro-Cuban percussion and vocals in many universities throughout the U.S.A, Europe, and South America. For 36 years, Edgardo has led the Bay Area’s Salsa/Latin Jazz Band “Edgardo & Candela” in which he doubles as Conga Drummer and Lead Vocalist. Joining Cambón on percussion are Aaron Routtenberg, Timbales, Congas, and Vocals; and Emilio Dávalos, Congas, Bongó, and Vocals.
When Cambón and I started putting this concert program together he suggested we invite Jessy Díaz to be our featured female vocalist. Based in Miami, Díaz is a highly motivated and energetic musician (vocalist, percussionist, musicologist, and teacher) with international exposure. Originally from Cuba, as a performer she focuses on Latin Jazz, cha-cha-cha, danzón, son, mambo, and bolero genres. Not only is she an excellent singer, she is also competent in playing a wide range of musical instruments. Before emigrating to the U.S., Díaz had the opportunity to perform with the Matanzas Symphonic Orchestra (Matanzas, Cuba) and the University of Arts Symphonic Orchestra (Havana, Cuba). A well-rounded music professional, in addition to performing live on stage, working on several studio recording projects, and being a dynamic and energetic teacher, she is also a sought-after Cuban and Afro-Cuban music lecturer.
Salsa is all about dance and appearing on stage with us are four dancers led by Giselle Soto Guilarte to dance on several featured pieces. Want to learn a bit of Latin dance before the concert? You are in luck as Andres Torres is hosting Dancing on the River July 20 4-10pm at the West Street Plaza, just across the river from Wingfield Park. Learn some steps and come back over to Wingfield Park to show off what you have learned!
I want to highlight some of the songs you will hear. We all know Guantanamera but did you know the translation is a “woman from Guantanamo” and is based on a Cuban poem first popularized in 1929? You probably have never heard Toro Mata (The Bull Kills) which is one of the most famous Afro-Peruvian songs. It is based on a Lando rhythm and is a type of Peruvian music initially developed by enslaved Black people in the Cañete and Chincha regions. You will hear two rhythm instruments unique to Peruvian music: the Cajon, which is a wooden box the player sits on to play, and the Quijada, which is the lower jawbone of a donkey!
Now let’s visit three iconic Latin jazz songs composed by the great Tito Puente. Ran Kan Kan translates to “tittle-tattle” or gossip. Released in 1948, it’s an infectious blend of Cuban rhythms, swing, and jazz. Recorded in 1958, Para Los Rumberos (for the Rumberos) is a tribute to the rumba that originated in Cuba in the 19th century and remains a popular dance today. His Oye Como Va is a cha-cha recorded in 1962. Funny story, Puente’s audiences started requesting the Santana song Oye Como Va after Santana released it as a part of their first album. Puente was a bit put out that his audience didn’t realize he wrote it until... the royalty checks started coming in from the Santana recording. Also in the set are two original Cambón songs Yo Vivo Aqui (I Live Here) and Canta Para El Mund Entero (Sing for the Whole World).
Get these concerts on your calendar, get ready to feel the spirit of salsa and dance!
Chuck Reider is the the President of the Reno Jazz Orchestra
To learn more and purchase July 22 tickets visit Reno Jazz Orchestra:
To learn more about Edgardo Cambon visit:
and watch his video:
Amores Como Este - Edgardo Cambón (Official Video)
youtu.be/Jrw71HdbdDA?si=2Z7ZSz4sTS69EQYG
To learn more about Jessy Diaz visit
Dancing on the River visit:
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My Fifty-Year Love Affair with Latin Music by Chuck Reider — June 14, 2024
Reno Jazz Orchestra Welcomes Dr. Greg Johnson by Chuck Reider — May 10, 2024
Reno Jazz Festival – 62 Years of Great Jazz by Chuck Reider — April 5, 2024
The Reno Jazz Orchestra’s Conductor Search Finale by Chuck Reider — March 1, 2024
A Year full of Joy by Chuck Reider — December 22, 2023
Such Sweet Tribute by Chuck Reider — November 10, 2023
Meet the Musicians of the RJO by Chuck Reider — August 25, 2023
Hot House A Night at the Savoy by Chuck Reider — July 21, 2023
Two Great Reno Events by Chuck Reider — May 12, 2023
The Reno Jazz Orchestra – Presents! by Chuck Reider — April 7, 2023
Welcome Tim Young, the Reno Jazz Orchestra’s new Executive Director by Chuck Reider — March 3, 2023
Jazz in the Schools 2023: Fostering a Love of Jazz by Chuck Reider — January 27, 2023
Creative Direction in Jazz by Chuck Reider — October 14, 2022
Meet Reno Jazz Orchestra co-founder Tony Savage by Chuck Reider — September 16, 2022
What is jazz orchestra? by Chuck Reider — August 19, 2022
Hotter Than July by Chuck Reider — July 25, 2022
Meet John Bennum, the Reno Jazz Orchestra's new Executive Director by Chuck Reider — June 24, 2022
Making Music in the New Millennium by Chuck Reider — April 29, 2022
Beating the Blues: Reno Jazz Festival is Back by Chuck Reider — April 1, 2022
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