~by Dena Burroughs

THE LATIN JAZZ FESTIVAL AT THE GREEK THEATER - May 10th, 2008

    The Latin Jazz Festival at the Greek Theater started promptly at 7 pm on May 10th with the Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, featuring Francisco Aguabella.  Along with the well respected musicians who form the Jazz on the Latin Side on a regular basis, the band had Adonis Puentes on lead vocals and was later joined by actor Andy Garcia, who played the bongos. 

    The evening’s program was divided in three acts, the second of which was the Latin Giants of Jazz, which included musicians who once belonged to the Tito Puente Orchestra.  On stage were names such as Sonny Bravo, Jose Madera, George Delgado, Dandy Rodriguez, and John Walsh.  The band was later joined by Frankie Vasquez and George Balmaseda on vocals, Dave Samuels playing vibes, and flautist Dave Valentin, timbalero Orestes Vilato and violinist Alfredo De La Fe as featured guests.

    Eddie Rodriguez and Jose Rizo introduced the third act, Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri’s Quintet, which included trumpeter Brian Lynch.  They were later joined by Dave Valentin and Alfredo De La Fe. 

    Following are my pictures.  The photo pass, of which I am very grateful for, allowed me access to the front during the first three numbers of each act.  Therefore you’ll notice that I’m missing close ups for artists who came on stage towards the later part of each act.  There was no flash and no recording allowed, however, the lighting is so awesome at the Greek that some of the pictures came out quite nicely.  Enjoy!

     The Latin Jazz Festival at the Greek Theater was an Eddie Rodriguez and Nederlander event.