El Tren Cubano is Coming to Chicago

Por fin, a team of presenters has banded together to bring Los Van Van to Chicago! They are coming to Thalia Hall on Sunday, August 9 at 8PM. If you need me to tell you why this is a must-go, you must have stumbled onto the wrong website by accident. And yes, even with the loss of Juan Formell, they are still in a class all their own. For tickets and details, see the Thalia Hall website. Needless to say, there are other US cities on the itinerary, which we think we have here.

But hey, there's more! For you traditionalists, the Adios Tour for the Buena Vista Social Club is coming to Ravinia on Wednesday, August 12 at 8:30pm. Tickets and details at the Ravinia website. Supposedly this is their last trip out, but then I was at Flaco Jimenez Jr's "retirement concert" in Denton, Texas about a decade ago, and the last time I checked he was still playing. These things happen when you are dedicated to your art. But why take a chance, eh?

Tell you what, just take the whole week off. Festival Cubano is happening Friday-Sunday, August 14-16, and that lineup includes Pedrito Calvo, Miguelito Cuni Jr. and many others. Even the non-Cuban artists like Jose Alberto "El Canario" and Luis Enrique have for the most part been working with Cuban artists recently. Full details at the Festival Cubano website.

But Bill, what about RIGHT NOW, you ask? Got you covered. This Friday and Saturday, the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival in Humboldt Park is happening. Complete details are at the Jazz Institute of Chicago's website. I'll let Mr. Papo Vazquez explain why you should attend:

Next case.

Before you go, check out the photo gallery and interview with Jorge Gomez of Tiempo Libre, which was just here. They tore up the block, and I think they made it to Madrid before they could be arrested for it....

thursday, 25 july 2024, 12:04 am

ENGLISH: Bill Tilford participated in Cubadisco 2015 in Havana, Cuba in May. The first in a series of pieces about Cubadisco 2015 is now available here.
ALSO: You can hear Bill's interview in English of Jazz pianist Alejandro Falcón, who won two Cubadisco awards this year, in the radio archive of The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition with Frankie Pineiro on WSLR until Tuesday, July 28, when the show will run his special segment on the music of Ruy López-Nussa & La Academia. The show before ACJE bleeds into the first two minutes of the archive, but stay with it. You can listen here - look for the July 14 program.
ESPAÑOL: Bill Tilford participó en Cubadisco 2015 en la Habana, Cuba en mayo. El primero en una serie de articulos sobre Cubadisco 2015 ya está disponible aquí.
TAMBIÉN: pueden escuchar la entrevista por Bill (en Inglés) de Jazz pianista Alejandro Falcón, quien ganó dos premios Cubadisco este año, en el archivo de radio The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition con Frankie Piñeiro en WSLR hasta el martes, 28 de julio, cuando el programa pondrá su segmento especial sobre la música de Ruy López-Nussa y La Academia. El programa antes del ACJE sangra en los primeros dos minutos del archivo, pero quédense con ello. Pueden escuchar aquí - busque el programa de 14 de julio.

thursday, 25 july 2024, 12:04 am

ENGLISH: Part II of Scenes From Cubadisco 2015, a multipart series about this year's event, is now available here. This includes the International Symposium and the special reception for participants from other countries.
ESPAÑOL: Parte II de Escenas de Cubadisco 2015 , una serie en multiples partes acerca del evento de este año, ya está disponible aquí. Incluidos: el Simposio Internacional y la recepción especial para los participantes extranjeros.

ENGLISH: You may not be able to purchase it yet, but you can hear part of the wonderful new album Ruy Löpez-Nussa presenta La Academia on The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition on WSLR. on their next program, which airs on Tuesday, July 28. Visit the program's Facebook page for more details about when and how you can listen (yes, the station can be heard via Internet). This album was nominated for a Cubadisco award in 2015 in the Cuban Jazz category.
ESPAÑOL: Puede ser que no sea capaz de comprarlo todavía, pero se puede escuchar parte del maravilloso nuevo álbum Ruy López-Nussa presenta La Academia en The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition en WSLR. en su próximo programa, que se emite el martes 28 de julio. Visite la página Facebook del programa para obtener más detalles acerca de cuándo y cómo se puede sintonizar (sí, la emisora está disponible a través de Internet tambien). Este álbum fue nominado para un premio Cubadisco 2015 en la categoría de Jazz cubano.

thursday, 25 july 2024, 12:04 am

ENGLISH: Part III of Scenes From Cubadisco 2015, a multipart series about this year's event, is now available here. This includes a look at Estudios Abdala and a concert in honor of the centennial of the birth of Chano Pozo.
ESPAÑOL: Parte III de Escenas de Cubadisco 2015, una serie en multiples partes acerca del evento de este año, ya está disponible aquí. Incluidos: una mirada a los Estudios Abdala y un concierto para honrar el centenario del nacimiento de Chano Pozo.