Ignacio Berroa was special guest with The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra for three concerts in April. The Cuban drummer, who has lived in the U.S. since 1980, was Dizzy Gillespie's last regular drummer beginning in 1981.
Notable as a jazz drummer and an expert in Cuban music, he is well traveled with his own groups, as a sideman and as an educator. This edition of Jazz Northwest highlights music by Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Mintzer, Ignacio Berroa and a genuine Cuban cha-cha-cha by violinist and composer Felix Reina. The concerts were recorded in April at the Kirkland Performance Center and the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra presents five sets of concerts plus the special Sacred Music Of Duke Ellington during its season. The final set of concerts this season will feature the music of Ray Charles on June 15, 16 and 17. For more information see srjo.org.
Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by host Jim Wilke and airs Sundays at 2 p.m. Listeners may also subscribe to the podcast at KNKX, NPR, Apple, Google or Spotify.
