CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band presents The Afro Cuban Fusion
As most people know, jazz is one of America’s most original and important genres of music. Without jazz, there wouldn’t be later forms of popular music like rock, funk, and rhythm and blues. Jazz is the foundation for all of them.
Of course, jazz is the name for a dizzying array of musical styles, beginning in the late 19th century. Ragtime, blues, Dixieland and swing are just a few types of music under the broad category of jazz.
Like America itself, the musical elements of jazz are very much a melting pot of African and European styles and techniques. Another, later, influence on jazz was the music of Central and South America-specifically Brazil. Historians and lovers of jazz call this form of jazz, “Afro-Cuban,” because it reflects its Black roots mixed with the dance rhythms of the Caribbean and South America.
To honor this style, and some of the great Latin composers and arrangers, the CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band and director Michael Paul present “The Afro-Cuban Fusion,” two concerts on May 19 and 21. The concerts will include big band arrangements by jazz giants like Chick Corea, Paquito d’Rivera and many more. If dance rhythms like mambo, cha cha and tango make you want to move, this is the concert for you. Afro-Cuban music is high energy, passionate and exciting.
“The Afro Cuban Fusion” will be Friday, May 19 at 7 PM and Sunday, May 21 at 2 PM. Concerts are in Bowe Theatre at Hood River Valley High School, 1220 Indian Creek Rd in Hood River. Tickets are $25 for adults ($15 for CGOA members), $5 for youth ages 10-17, and free for kids under 10. Tickets are available at gorgeorchestra.org. A limited number of $5 tickets are available for those with Oregon Trail/SNAP cards or the Washington equivalent.
For information about all CGOA events, visit gorgeorchestra.org, or check out gorgeorchestra on Facebook and Instagram.
The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and presenting musical performances of the highest quality in the Columbia River Gorge region. With a commitment to artistic excellence and education, the Association brings the joy of music to audiences of all ages.
