Salsa and Jazz Band Enchants Lehman

The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts kicked off its 32nd season with performances by Michel Camilo and Tipica ’73. On Saturday, September 15, jazz and salsa lovers alike came together to enjoy the works of pianist Michel Camilo, and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of salsa band Tipica ‘73. The concert was held at the Concert Hall and while the audience was predominately of an older crowd, none lacked rhythm. They swayed and clapped their hands when legendary Dominican pianist Michel Camilo took the stage. The trio recently got signed to Universal Records and features Giovanni Hidalgo on small percussion, and Lincoln Goins, who played the bass. They created a light, yet still powerful, sound; representative of Afro-Caribbean jazz. The trio performed Rumba Jazz pieces that were contemporary and modern. A crowd favorite was Giovanni Hidalgo. He played the conga drums effortlessly, and during his merengue tribute, his hands seemed unattached to his body as they moved at an incredible speed. The crowd clapped and cheered, and some even danced in their chairs. Grammy winner Michel Camilo’s piano playing was exceptionally well, due to the classical feel his performance delivered and his ability to control the dynamic ranges of the piano. Audience member Al Quiñones, resident and community organizer of the South Bronx, described Camilo as a “Dominican brother who is a virtuoso. He is every piano player’s nightmare, because he is just that good.” Quiñones also described the trio’s formation as a “thinking-out-the-box” jazz and Latin music progressive. “I always liked Jazz,”Quiñones said. “It has a never-ending period, while Latin usually has a period end. The two together created a new form of Jazz.” The second half of the performance was a reunion of the salsa group Tipica ‘73. Originally formed in New York City, the band was influential in the salsa progressive movement. Although all of the group’s members were not present, Aldaberto Santiago, lead singer of the band, sang along to many of the group’s hit classics, while also introducing members Tito Allen and Camilo Azuquita. Tipica ‘73 was known for playing salsa and the style of music called “Charanga.” The instruments that were featured were the flute, violin, and the percussions. “Yo Camino Mas,” was performed by guest star Frankie Vasquez and brought the crowd out their seats to dance to the music they grew up with. Jamie Alvarez, a resident of Bushwick, Brooklyn, expressed how happy he was to witness the event in the Bronx, the “borough of salsa.” To Alvarez, the reunion was a tribute to a “special time in history, and included many special guest stars.” The reunion was concluded with a jam session, which featured guest stars Orestes Vilato, Nicky Marrero, and Jimmy Delgado. The Bronx lived up to its “borough of salsa” title, bringing out the inner dancer out of audience members.