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Jazz Caliente: 2019 brings more live Latin jazz to our region

Daymé Arocena in concert in Havana, Cuba 2016
Diane Guerra
/
courtesy of the artist
Daymé Arocena in concert in Havana, Cuba 2016"

At the very top of your New Year's resolution list, write this: See more live music performances! The Seattle-area live Latin jazz forecast for the first quarter of 2019 is impressive. Here's what we know so far.

New Year's Eve: 

As of this writing, there appears to be just a few seats left for the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band New Year's Eve packages at Jazz Alley. Ain't no party like a Poncho party, so grab one of these, if you can. 

Or, try something new and exciting with Brazil Comes to Belltown at Block 41, with Jovino Santos Neto, Gail Pettis, and Adriana Giordano. There will be food, drink and a DJ. All ticket proceeds will benefit Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

January 2019:

Dan Duval's Good Vibes Trio plays Jan. 5 at Craft 19 Espresso and Creperie in Sumner. This charming venue has recently partnered with Tacoma's B Sharp Music Society to present live jazz at 3 p.m. on Saturdays.  

Jazz Live at Marine View Church in Tacoma presents a tribute to the Brazilian songwriting master Antonio Carlos Jobim on Jan. 13, featuring vocalists Adriana Giordano and Jaqueline Tabor with some of the areas best musicians.

Brilliant Brazilian pianist André Mehmari makes his Pacific Northwest debut on Jan. 25 in Portland, then heads to Seattle's Columbia City Theater on Jan. 26, and over to Resonance at SOMA Towers in Bellevue on Jan. 27.

February 2019:

Ann Reynolds Clave Gringa Quintet will bring Cuban-flavored jazz to the Market Stage at Bellevue's Crossroads Mall on Feb. 1.

Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval returns to Jazz Alley Feb. 21-24 for his always delightful show in which he'll play trumpet and keyboards, sing a song or two, tell a few jokes and whatever else tickles his fancy.

March 2019:

The charismatic Cuban vocalist and composer Daymé Arocena returns to Seattle on March 16, appearing at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts.  

The Global Rhythms series at Town Hall Seattle hosts the energetic and progressive Pedrito Martinez Group on March 18.

Cuban-born composer and wizard of the keyboards, Omar Sosa, plays the Triple Door on March 19 with his Transparent Water Trio, which includes Senegalese kora player and vocalist Seckou Keita.

April 2019:

The guest artist for the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra concerts in April  is drummer and educator Ignacio Berroa, a seasoned performer who is a master of both jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms. 

As you can see, 2019 is shaping up to be a stellar year for live Latin jazz!

Listen for most of these artists on Saturday Jazz Caliente this week, and, as always, check the calendar at knkx.org, the Jazz Caliente page at knkx.org and @jazzcalienteknkx on Facebook for the latest live music listings.

Jazz Caliente airs Saturdays at 5 p.m. The show is hosted by Robin Lloyd and produced by KNKX Public Radio.

Originally from Detroit, Robin Lloyd has been presenting jazz, blues and Latin jazz on public radio for nearly 40 years. She's a member of the Jazz Education Network and the Jazz Journalists Association.