For Immediate Release March 26, 2014 By Ken Vermes Yoshi’s Quickly Fills In for Ill Jazz Star Paquito Rivera and Roberta Gambriani to lead the Roy Hargrove Rhythm Section Jazz is a music in which the fates can play a very big roll. This week, the hearts of San Francisco jazz fans went out to Roy Hargrove, as he was forced to cancel his appearances at Yoshi’s San Francisco, from March 26 to March 30. But as it sometimes happens, the fates stepped in to create an exciting and unique series of shows. Singer Roberta Gambriani, who had been booked to sing on Tuesday, March 25, and multi reed man Paquito D’Rivera, were available to step in. Roberta has quietly become one of the leading voices of jazz. She was born in Turin, Italy, and began singing in jazz clubs as a teenager. She moved to the US in 1998 and immediately competed in the Thelonius Monk vocal competition, where she placed third. From there, she has continuously toured, recorded and been featured at jazz festivals around the world. Roberta has a deep knowledge of and appreciation for the historic roots of jazz. When she speaks of her deep friendship with the late James Moody, for example, one feels the depth of this mentor, student relationship in a powerful way. It is a coincidence that March 26, is Moody’s birthday. And she will certainly bring the spirit of this great player to bear on her performances on each of the nights in San Francisco. Equally, it is not hard to imagine that Paquito will be equally inspired by Moody’s influence as a unique and soulful player who danced through the years with a sound of great soul and joy. The rhythm section of Justin Robinson, alto sax and flute, Sullivan Fortner on piano, Ameen Saleem, bass and Quincy Phillips drums, may not be well known to many listeners, but as a touring group travelling the world jazz circuit, they should be very well prepared to demonstrate their excitement and determination to shine. And driving the rhythm section will be the great reed man, Paquito D’Rivera. Paquito, is among the greatest Cuban jazz musicians of our day, and achieved initial popular success with the band “Irakere”. Out of this group, he emerged with trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, as an outstanding musician, arranger and producer. His latest CD, “Song for Maura”, won a Grammy award at this years ceremony. And he has won eleven Grammys all together. Paquito’s clarinet playing is at the very top of the list for fans of this instrument, and has inspired musicians around the world to dig out their clarinets and start practicing. With slightly different fingering, and a different embouchure, the clarinet has had a rich history in jazz, achieving it’s height of popularity in the swing era. Now it is being revived by Latin music players and by such young stalwarts as Anat Cohen and great revivalist Ken Peplowski. Everyone hopes that Roy Hargrove can make a quick recovery and be back playing shortly. But as a tribute to him and his band, a special visit to Yoshi’s San Francisco for this wonderful group, should be on every music lovers list. Yoshi’s San Francisco 1330 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA Wed-Sun, Mar 26-30 Wed, Mar 26: 8pm $22, 10pm $16 Thu, Mar 27: 8pm $24, 10pm $18 Fri, Mar 28: 8pm $28, 10pm $22 Sat, Mar 29: 8pm $30, 10pm $24 Sun, Mar 30: 7pm $22, 9pm $16 Full dinner and bar menu available Convenient parking at the Japan Center Garage
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:49:12 +0000
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