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Los Angeles Master Chorale
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Christmas has passed, but fortunately it did not fade away so fast. Holiday-filled Latin jazz flourished throughout the Walt Disney Music Concert Hall as "celebrar" came alive on December 28th and 29th. Celebrar means to celebrate and honor with religious ceremonies, festivities or other oservances; to make publicly known, to proclaim. The event did just that. Amidst the astounding structure of the concert hall, rhythms of percussion, guitar, horns, piano and the voices of the Los Angeles Master Chorale joyously reved up some holiday spirit.
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Percussionist Alex Acuna
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Introduced by actor Hector Elizondo, the celebration brought in some of the greatest Latin jazz artists of our time, including percussionist Alex Acuna, tenor saxophone Justo Almario, percussionist Sheila E, percussionist Pete Escovedo (father of Sheila E), bassist Abe Laboriel, percussionist Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas, trumpeter Boby Rodriguez and guitarist Ramon Stagnaro. Master Choral Music Director Grant Gershon conducted the lively program of Latin-style holiday favorites, which were specially arranged and orchestrated by Grammy Award-nominated Roger Treece with rhythm arrangements by Treece and Alex Acuna.
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Conductor Grant Gershon
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Though the music could stand on its own, the Chorale added extra meaning to the songs, whether religious or just for the glory of the holidays. Singing with Latin-infused beats and shakes, culture prevails through each phase of each song. The repetoire includes works from all over, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Columbia, Cuba and other Latin countries, as well as the United States. Profound solos, as well as dance moves, come from Eva Ayllon, who seemed to own each song she sang. Songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," which showed Sheila E's pounding talent on percussion, "White Christmas," "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Jingle Bells" reflected true holiday spirit with variations of salsa, rhythm and bass, strings, and rattling instruments all mixed together. Traditional songs, such as "The 25th of December," "Bell After Bell, "To the Little Lullaby" and "The Fish in the River" encompass the true sense of cultural tradition, where the audience gets a taste of a world they might not have known until now.
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Soloist Eva Ayllon
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Though the music rapidly changed, the Latin jazz all-star artists were aware of each note, each instrument needed for every particular part in every song. Everything flowed into a whirlwind of entertainment and the audience was invited to chime in. Silver and gold stars hung from the ceiling in the Walt Disney Music Concert Hall, but they weren't the only stars of the night.
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Percussionist Sheila E
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The full line-up of the Latin jazz all-stars featured Alex Acuña, percussion; Justo Almario, tenor saxophone; Eva Ayllón, soloist; Sheila E, percussion; Richie Gajate Garcia, percussion; Grant Geissman, guitar; Scheila Gonzales; Pete Escovito, percussion; alto saxophone; Harry Kim, trumpet; Abe Laboriel, bass; Linda Martinez, piano; Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas, percussion; Bobby Rodriguez, trumpet; Otmaro Ruiz, keyboards; Ramon Stagnaro, guitar; Francisco Torres, trombone; and Arturo Velasco, trombone.
Performance Dates: Tuesday, December 28, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 29, 7 p.m.
Location: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
Information: www.lacma.org
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