Larry Harlow Luckman Theater Los Angeles

Sporting a bright yellow jacket over black clothing, Harlow sat at the piano during the second half of the show, accompanied by a CSULA Afro-Latin Ensemble sprinkled with a few special guests – timbal player and Latin Jazz master Bobby Matos, conga player Fausto Cuevas, bassist Eddie Resto, percussionist Victor Barrientos, and singers Adonis Puentes and CSULA voice instructor Iris Sandra Cepeda. Together they delighted the audience with numbers such as “Gracia Divina,” a song composed by Harlow and first recorded in the voice of the fabulous Celia Cruz, and “Salsa Suite – La Raza Latina, Part III,” a Harlow original first written for a 40 piece orchestra and arranged especially for this concert by CSULA alumnus, Jose Arellano. According to Harlow, this was the first time that the piece had been performed for an audience.

The first part of the program featured the members of the CSULA Afro Latin Ensemble with solos that displayed their individual musical talents. It showcased as well the vocals of Addie Benavides, Susana Rivas, Tim Davis, and a most well received Madelyn S. Washington. Particularly appreciated in Davis and Washington was their ability to sing Spanish lyrics made more colorful by their adorable English accents. The ensemble was directed by CSULA Assistant Professor Paul De Castro, who introduced by name the members of the orchestra and between songs explained to the audience the significance of having CSULA be the only institution of higher education in the US currently offering a Master of Music degree specializing in Afro-Latin music.

After the concert, a reception was held in the Donor’s Garden of the Luckman Theater with music provided by CSULA’s DJ Horchata, during which the members of the ensemble, the special guest performers, and some of the evening’s most generous contributors enjoyed each other’s and Harlow’s company. In retrospect, Prof. De Castro called the evening musically successful, of a great purpose and especially significant to the performing experience of the members of the CSULA Afro-Latin Ensemble.

As stated in the concert’s program, CSULA, and in particular the College of Arts and Letters, is thankful to Larry Harlow “for his tireless efforts on behalf of Latin music and musicians, and for his generous contribution to the Afro-Latin Music Program at CSULA.”