BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, is a 17-piece ensemble that rehearses for and performs one concert a year, will feature big band salsa, Mambo, and cha cha cha at this year's gala on Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.
The band will present a tribute to the Mambo Kings, performing the music of the original Mambo Orchestras: Tito Puente, Machito, and Arsenio Rodriguez.
To shake it up, the VJC has asked two of Boston's most influential Latin music performers to step in as musical directors: Timbalero Eguie Castrillo and bassist Alex Alvear. The music will be enhanced by vocalist Jesus Pagan and a Boston-area percussionist.
For this special show, along with the VJC's soloists such as Charlie Schneeweis, Larry Tutt and Bob Stabach, the VJC is inviting guest saxophonists Michael Zsoldos and Scott Mullett and trombonist Ed Byrne.
The repertoire performed in this concert will be interpretations of the authentic charts played by the Tito Puente Orchestra, with whom co-musical director Castrillo performed for many years.
He will be playing timbales given to him by Tito Puente and used on many of Puente's recordings.
Now a professor of percussion at Berklee College of Music, Castrillo is considered one of the most important percussionists in the world. He has performed with such artists as Paquito D'Rivera, Giovanni Hidalgo, Jennifer Lopez, Steve Winwood, Arturo Sandoval, and The Boston Pops.
Also acting as co-musical director is Ecuadorian bassist, singer, and composer Alex Alvear.
Alvear has performed and/or collaborated with artists such as Celia Cruz, Orlando “Puntilla” Rios, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Johnatha Brooke, Paquito D'Rivera, Isaac Delgado, Larry Harlow, Raul Midon, and Jimmy Haslip.
His ensemble Mango Blue, has performed extensively throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
Written and arranged by Alvear, the rhythmically charged music of Mango Blue includes songs of celebration, love, and social conscience. Alvear has been a driving force in the promotion of Latino arts and culture in the region through his work with Villa Victoria Center for the Arts.
The Vermont Jazz Center Big Band is comprised of trumpeters Charlie Schneeweis, Donald Anderson, Rick Anderson, Chazz Canney; trombonists Ed Byrne, Bob Thies, Dan DeWalt; saxophonists Scott Mullett, Bob Stabach, Larry Tutt, Michael Zsoldos, Sherm Fox; the rhythm section is Julian Gerstin (congas), George Kaye (bass), Steve Rice (drums) and Eugene Uman (piano).
Admission, which includes a desert buffet, is $25 general, $28 for rreserved seating. For local high school students, a special fund subsidizes admission.
Purchase tickets online, at In the Moment Record Store in downtown Brattleboro, or call the VJC ticket line, 802-254-9088, ext. 1. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
“This concert is handicapped accessible, but call in advance (802-254-9088) if someone in your party will require the use of an elevator,” organizers write.