Machito & The Impact Of The Afro-Cubans At 80 Comes to HOSTOS Center For The Arts & Culture

Modeled after the highly acclaimed retrospective of Tito Puente in 2017, the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture will honor the late iconic singer and bandleader Francisco Machito Grillo (1908-1984) and his Orchestra (the Afro-Cubans) in a 3-day celebration May 2-4 on the campus of Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse (at 149th Street), in the Bronx. Machito & the Impact of the Afro-Cubans at 80 examines the Orchestra's influence on a variety of Latin musical styles, including Latin jazz that affected the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Stan Kenton and others.

The festival's ten events, many free, also delve into the careers and impact of Machito's family members and musical partners in the Afro-Cubans Mario Bauz (1911- 1993) and vocalist Graciela (1915-2010), known as the First Lady of Latin Jazz. Bauz , was a talented multi-instrumentalist who served as musical director of his brother-in-law's orchestra and encouraged Machito to embrace American jazz with Cuban rhythms. After Machito was drafted in the Army, Bauz brought Machito's sister Graciela (Per z-Guti rrez) from Cuba to join the band as lead singer. After Machito's return from service, the three shared the stage for 32 years, topping the charts and reigning supreme at New York's Palladium Ballroom in its heyday. Machito was the eldest of The Three Kings the moniker given to the celebrated band leaders that performed at the Palladium the others being Tito Puente, who was a timbalist in Machito's Afro-Cubans in 1941, and the singer Tito Rodr guez who made his last public appearance with Machito in 1973.

Under the artistic direction of Machito's son, Mario Grillo, as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra bassist and composer Carlos Henr quez and Latin music historian Joe Conzo, Sr., the festival is designed for both Machito enthusiasts and those less familiar with his music. Henr quez leads Machito and Beyond on Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 PM, in a concert that includes acclaimed vocalist Cita Rodr guez, a host of New York's top young jazz musicians, plus some legendary percussion veterans, for a youthful take on some Machito classics. Bobby Sanabria & Ascensi n will take to the stage in a free family concert on Saturday, May 4, at 11 AM, with an informative performance demonstrating how Machito & the Afro-Cubans brought Cuban forms to Latin jazz. The final concert on Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 PM features The Machito Orchestra in its 80th Anniversary concert under the direction of Mario Grillo, who carries on his father's legacy, and featuring guest vocalist and two-time Grammy winner Herman Olivera. In addition to these concerts, the three-day celebration includes listening sessions, a panel discussion, a film presentation, a museum exhibit with tour, a Latin rhythm workshop, and a closing Mambo Dance Party in the Hostos Caf .

Tickets, including 3-day passes for $45, and a schedule of events are available at www.hostoscenter.org or by calling (718) 518-4455.

Prior to the Thursday evening and Saturday evening concerts, in the Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos beginning at 6 PM, Joe Conzo, Sr., presents The Listening Room, one hour sessions that will include information and musical anecdotes about the concerts as well as never before heard recordings of Machito from different periods. Among the many rare recordings, include performances of Machito with Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald. Conzo, who has lectured on Machito and Latin music for Hostos Community College's Continuing Education division for the last six years, has an unmatched collection of Machito live recordings. Admission is free, and includes a complimentary glass of wine.

Opening Concert: Machito and Beyond

For the opening concert, Machito and Beyond on Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 PM in the Main Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra bassist / composer / arranger Carlos Henr quez directs an ensemble of top young jazz artists augmented by a veteran percussion section. They will perform a curated selection of Machito's music including songs of Graciela sung by guest vocalist Cita Rodr guez. The percussionists -- former member of The Machito Orchestra and longtime musical director of the Tito Puente Orchestra Jos Madera, whose father was an original member of the Afro-Cubans, Machito/Puente veteran Louis Bauzo and Puente alumnus John Dandy Rodr guez will be featured in Bongo Fiesta and other tunes. The concert will also include a world premiere of long-time Machito Orchestra saxophonist / composer / arranger Ray Santos. Orchestra seating is $25 and Mezzanine seating is $20; $5 for students and under 18. (See below for details)

Exhibit Tour

To continue the celebration on Friday, May 3 at 6:30 PM, Joe Conzo, Sr., will lead a guided tour of the exhibit Machito and Mario: The Roots of Afro-Cuban Jazz in the C-Atrium. Conzo, the author of Mambo Diablo: My Journey with Tito Puente is currently writing a book on the Big Three bandleaders Machito, Tito Puente, and Tito Rodr guez. The exhibit was developed by and is on loan from the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.

Film Screening

A presentation of the biographical documentary Machito: A Latin Jazz Legacy (1987) by Carlos Ortiz will be held on Friday, May 3, at 7:30 PM in the Repertory Theater. One-of-a-kind street performances from Cuba to New York, dancing scenes at the Savoy, the Palladium and the Apollo Theater, and commentary by Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Barretto, Dexter Gordon, and Machito himself all come together to trace his music from its roots in Cuba to its impact in New York. Jon Pareles of The New York Times calls the film hugely informative, with astonishing archival footage. Following the screening, a post-film discussion will be moderated by Columbia University Professor and trombonist Chris Washburne with Machito's son, Mario Grillo, and author and historian Joe Conzo, Sr. Admission is free, but tickets are required. (See below for details.)

Family Concert: What Made Machito & the Afro-Cubans Musical Groundbreakers?

Eight-time Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria brings his nonet Ascensi n to the Repertory Theater on Saturday, May 4, at 11 AM for a free family concert. A Bronx native who is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music as well as the Jazz & Contemporary Music Program at the New School, Sanabria and his ensemble will delight all ages as they perform the music of the Afro-Cubans. This lively and informative performance examines how Machito fused the Cuban forms of son, bolero, and mambo with jazz. While admission to the concert is free, tickets are required.

En Clave con Machito Latin Rhythm Section Workshop

Following the family concert at 1:30 PM, Mario Grillo and The Machito Orchestra members lead a Rhythm Section Workshop in the Repertory Theater. They will discuss, demonstrate, and answer questions on what makes a Latin rhythm section work, demonstrating how congas, bongos, and timbales complement the bass and piano, which is now the standard in Latin music. In addition to Mario Grillo on timbales and percussion, the workshop includes Eddie Montalvo (congas), Luis Mangual, Jr. (bongos), Gilberto 'Pulpo' Col n (piano), and Jerry Madera, bass. The workshop is hosted by the percussionist / educator Annette A. Aguilar. All ages are welcome. Admission is free, but registration is required (See below for details).

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion entitled Machito, Bauz , & Graciela: Creating a Genre that Endures follows in the Repertory Theater at 3:30 PM. Loren Schoenberg, Founder and Senior Scholar of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, moderates this discussion of the trio's lasting impact on Latin jazz and Latin music. Panelists include: percussionist and Musical Director of The Machito Orchestra, Mario Grillo; archivist / biographer, Joe Conzo, Sr., saxophonist / composer / arranger Ray Santos; percussionist / bandleader Bobby Sanabria; author / historian Ren L pez and vocalist / educator Cita Rodr guez. Admission is free, but tickets are required. (See below for details).

Closing Concert

The Machito Orchestra performs a historic 80th Anniversary Concert at 7:30 PM in the Main Theater, with Musical Director and Percussionist Mario Grillo leading the tribute to his father's work. Guest vocalist, Herman Olivera, the noted sonero who, among his many achievements, has been lead vocalist for Eddie Palmieri, will take on the singer's role. In addition to Machito hits such as Cuban Fantasy and Mambo Inn, the concert will include some rare gems. Orchestra seating is $35 and Mezzanine seating is $25; $5 for students and under 18. (see below for details)

Dance Party

The festival ends with a Mambo Dance Party in the Hostos Caf immediately following the performance at approximately 9:30 PM. Warrior DJ Roy will spin Machito's hits for dancing. Tickets are $10 and include two beverage tickets for wine or a soft drink. The Dance is available for concert ticket holders only.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (718) 518-4455 or online at www.hostoscenter.org. All reservations and registrations for free events can be made by calling (718) 518-4455. Weekend passes for both evening concerts and the dance party can be purchased for $45 and include the best available seats. Box Office window hours are Mon. Fri., 1 PM to 4 PM, and 2 hours prior to events. Hostos Community College can be reached by the IRT 2, 4, 5, and busses Bx1, Bx2, Bx19 to East 149th Street and the Grand Concourse.

Machito and the Impact of the Afro-Cubans at 80 is sponsored by the Hostos Community College Foundation with funds from: the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, The Howard Gilman Foundation, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Office of New York State Assemblyman Jos Rivera, and the Office of New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr