Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club featuring Omara Portuondo
Arturo Sandoval & the LA All Star Big Band
Ninety Miles featuring Stefon Harris, David Sanchez & Christian Scott
@The Hollywood Bowl 08.24.11
By George W. Harris

Whether you like your Cuban music new school, old school or pre-school, you got a Bowl full of Caliente rice and beans this steamy night in Hollywood.

Young stars who lead their own respective bands, Stefon Harris/vib, David Sanchez/ts and Christian Scott/tp teamed up to front a seven piece group that featured 3 stretched out and rhythmic tunes from their eponymous –titled album. Tunes like E’cha mixed bebop with Afro Cuban grooves, while “This Too Shall Pass” was a melancholy blues that included some of Harris’ patented fiery vibes along with Scott’s passionate trumpet.

On the rotating stage, Arturo Sandoval brought his macho big band to the front and center, finally seeming to find his home after years in the desert of small group music. Seeming to imbibe the waters of the likes of Perez Prado, he turned the Bowl into a dive from 50s Havana, with smoking mambo material. His searing horn was in perfect schmaltzy form, as he opened the door to “Besame Mucho” only to have Natalie Cole come on stage and bring even extra agony and passion to the lyrics. A three piece guitar trio joined the foray, making the original Gypsy Kings sound like a James Taylor concert. By the time actor Andy Garcia was given a solo during “Hot Mambo”, a fire extinguisher was needed to cool this set down. WHEW

If anyone can get away wearing a bright orange shirt with a silver suit, it’s vocalist Carlos Calunga, who’s suave toned voice brought the large musical amphitheatre into an intimate café. Along with the sauntering rhythms provided by the multiple percussionists, Barbarito Torres displayed his amazing fingerwork on the laud, eliciting evocative melodies and passionate solos, until his gorgeous wife Omara Portuondo came on stage to turn back the clock with tunes like “Tres Palabras.” Classy, sophisticated, and world wise, she brought the house down with a version of “Summertime” with pianist Rolando Luna that mixed 52nd Street with Calle 54. This lovely genteel lady had the 17,000 fans in the palm of her hands by the time she delivered “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas,” making one wonder why our country doesn’t revere older stars like other countries do. We definitely have something to learn besides music from our friends from 90 miles away.