Bataan's Back In Town!

It was so sweet to see the legendary Latin soul man Joe Bataan at the S.F. Yoshi's this past Saturday night which happened to be my birthday. Bataan solidly connected with the predominately older audience who knew his songs and demonstrated their idol worship by singing along or shaking their heads to his classic material. Bataan responded with a rousing performance that featured hits from his career such as "I Wish You Love" and "When Sunny Gets Blue" along with a few surprises such as his rendition of "Sad Girl" which transported me back to junior high school slow jams for a moment. Dressed in a blazing red cap, Bataan was accompanied by his wife Yvonne on background vocals and backed by the tight Raza All Stars band with guest Malecio Magdaluyo on woodwinds. Joe effortlessly shifted gears from boogaloo to salsa flavored songs but he primarily showcased the Latin Soul fusion that he helped pioneer in the 1960's and led throughout the 70's. He delivered the tunes with a story or a monologue that touched the sold out Yoshi's crowd. He related his story of his rise from a gang member in prison to a successful singing career before launching into a heartfelt soul version of "The Lord's Prayer" dedicated to youth in prison. Bataan could still belt a tune as well as bring the house down with his music. Thank God that Subway Joe is still around to bring us the "salsoul".

From Benin To Oakland

Benin born, Paris based world music star Angelique Kidjo is a dynamo of a performer. She proved it and more last Friday at the Paramount Theater in Oakland as part of a dream bill with Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour. She walked on the Paramount stage to roaring applause before she even sang one note. Kidjo was energetic, charismatic and embodied joy throughout her short set. She seduced the packed crowd from the first note with her warmth, distinctive powerful voice and exuberant dance moves. The crowd gave into Angelique fever by dancing, singing-a-long and responding to her commands during her repertoire of catchy hook driven songs. Her tight, supple band of just electric/acoustic guitar, drums, bass and percussion provided ample beat-driven African pop-rn'b-world fusion which propelled the music and locked in with her voice. By the time Kidjo ended her set, she had the stage filled with dancing patrons trying to keep up with her intense energy. Kidjo took it all in with good humor and was enjoying the participation of the crowd. It was an excellent performance from one of my favorite world music stars. The show was one of the last concerts for the SF Jazz Spring Season co-sponsored by KPFA Radio.

Maracalicious

I was lucky this week to catch the great flautist/bandleader Orlando "Maraca" Valle and his Cuban based band on opening night this week at Yoshis in San Francisco. One thing that I love about Maraca is his sophisticated take on timba, cuban salsa and latin jazz...always modern and on the cutting edge with a strong foundation in traditional Afro-Cuban music. He is truly a musician's musician who plays several instruments and has produced many recordings. Ever since the time that I first saw him at the famed New Morning in Paris with Irakere in 1990, Maraca always impresses with his sheer virtuosity on the flute, his chosen instrument. His clear musical direction as a solo artist and bandleader encompasses a variety of styles. For this tour, his excellent band of top notch musicians and charismatic vocalists includes the superb Alfred Thompson on sax. He had the Yoshi's crowd mesmerized whether he led his band on an intense Latin Jazz number or a relentlessly swinging timba romp. I had an opportunity to speak to Maraca backstage after his exhilarating performance. He said that he has a new recording coming out in Cuba but also has plans to release another recording with his current band. If you didn't have the chance to catch him this time, don't miss him the next time because he is truly one of those artists who have to catch live!

Is It Fun Yet 2011?

As we head towards another Summer, the reality of our economic situation pops up in different but telling ways. Do you notice that it's hard to get a break these days? Remember the good old days before the economy started going down the tubes that all the prices of everything has gone up? Also it's hard to find those generous extras from most restaurants...don't you hate it when you go to a restaurant that you dine from time to time and find that the portions of food are skimpier but you're paying the same price as before? It's hard to go to that endangered species called a record store to find that hard-to-get cd. Now you almost always have to go on-line to either order the cd with the jewel case or you download the recording but you have to hassle to get the cover art! Such is life in 2011 where having a full time job with benefits is the sexy status symbol. If you don't believe me, ask one of your friends who are laid off or looking for work.

Summer Heats Up In the Bay

I wanted to note all the fine music that is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area during the next few weeks. Renowned flautist/bandleader/composer/arranger Orlando "Maraca" Valle will be visiting us this week on Wednesday through Friday over at Yoshi's in San Francisco. He will be leading his Cuban based band performing his distinctive style of cuban salsa, timba and latin jazz. He usually leads a top notch band so look out for the musical fireworks! The annual El Dia De San Juan scholarship benefit concert will take place at History Park in San Jose on Saturday, June 25 featuring the sounds of 2 L.A. based bands Angel Lebron y Sabor Latino and Tabaco Y Ron. My radio station KPFA is sponsoring three great free shows at the annual Stern Grove Festival which takes place every Sunday during the summer at the beautiful Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Avenue & Sloat Blvd in San Francisco. The shows include the Jazz Mafia Symphony with renowned rapper Chali 2Na formerly of Ozomatli and Jurassic 5 on June 26; Afrocubism, an all-star collaboration between Cuban and Malian music icons plus the Bay's own Pellejo Seco on July 10 and famed Spanish musician/producer Javier Limon and vocal sensation Buika plus Brazilian songstress Luisa Maita on August 14. For more information, visit www.sterngrove.org

It's Already June..I had my Carnaval Blast!

It's rainy June in the SF Bay Area. Carnaval SF during Memorial Day weekend in the bay is already a memory. This year I was asked by SFCAT who has been producing the event for the past two years to emcee their 17th Street main stage and serve as a consultant with their entertainment committee. The entertainment that was picked this year led to two days of exciting shows focusing on local gold with great salsa, Brazilian, funk, Latin Pop, reggaeton and world music bands exemplified by fine performances by the Venezuelan Music Project, the 19 piece Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Ronkat and Katdelic, Aquarella and Grupo Samba Rio, Dos Four, Mazacote, Panjea, Samba Da and others. Unfortunately, the rain came late on Saturday afternoon to wash out the scheduled performances of Team Bahia, Avance and L.A'.s Very Be Careful. The exciting performances of La Moderna Tradicion, Too Smooth and Sandy Perez were cut short by the police at the end of the event which marred a great day of parade, sun and fun. It was great to say hello to so many friends and public that made Carnaval so special this year.