Latin Jazz Is On The
Menu At Arka Lounge
by Bobby Ramirez
Publisher
LatinJazzClub Magazine
br@latinjazzclub.com
If you're a regular music enthusiast that enjoys the sound
of Jazz & rhythm--moreover, Latin Jazz--it is not difficult
to satisfy your craving for this music in most cities around
the world. Thanks to innovative musicians who pioneered the convergence
and globalization of Latin Jazz, today's music fan is able to
enjoy a rich pallet of musical contributions that are well documented
on recordings from legendary artists like Alberto Socarras, Dizzy
Gillespie, Mario Bauza, Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Chico O'Farrill,
Tito
Puente and many others.
Nonetheless, times have changed from those pioneering days
when many of these recording artists where lighting up the concert
stage and nightclubs with their energy and music--from Latin
Jazz's beginnings in New York City to its proliferation worldwide
during the better part of the 20th Century. Equally, in today's
world of lightning quick technology and cyberspace, this music
is very much accessible as fast as you can click a computer mouse
enabling anyone the ability to download a sound file. As a result,
live Jazz music that once thrived especially in nightclubs is
becoming extinct. Meaning, why should anyone bother to travel
to a nightclub to listen to a live band performing Jazz when
all you have to do is turn on your stereo in the comfort of your
own home, or simply download the music from the Internet.
Are more music fan losing that feeling of exhilaration that
comes from experiencing a live Jazz concert performance? Speaking
of Jazz, if this music is loosing fans as a result of technology,
Latin Jazz may be in the dumps. Perhaps fans need to be reminded
of that sensual touch-n-feel experience still associated with
a live Jazz concert: fertile ground where an artist creates spontaneous
music constantly weaving a web of interactivity and soulful connection
with the audience, having the capability to unstill the innermost
senses thereby enhancing the human spirit to greater heights.
While the problem of less attendance especially in local Jazz
clubs is currently widespread in most cities in the United States,
one Jazz music scene--perhaps considered the grandaddy of them
all, that of New York City--for the most part it's still very
much alive and kicking, which demonstrates to a certain degree
the resiliency and affinity of music fans in the Big Apple to
support live music in nightclubs and music festivals particularly
after the September 11th tragedy. And doesn't Jazz music represent
"freedom of expression" in all its glory--core values
of American democracy? What better way of expressing such values
than to attend a Jazz performance.
Still, among the numerous Jazz clubs in NYC, few of then feature
Latin Jazz on a regular basis (NOTE: to speak of a "few
clubs" as it pertains to Latin Jazz in NYC where there's
over 50 nightclubs featuring Jazz music on any given night can
essentially represent a majority in raw numbers in comparison
to most cities in the U.S.). One venue called "Ark Lounge"
is attempting to make a go of Latin Jazz by presenting a weekly
concert series featuring top area musicians and bands. Arka Lounge
possesses a cozy atmosphere making it a fashionable venue for
live music. One of the most striking thing to notice about Arka
Lounge is the hip younger audience (average age from 25-35) that
gather to experience the sound of many outstanding musicians
offering a diversity of Afro-Cuban Jazz and world rhythm.
Many of the musicians are also young up-n-coming weeper-snappers,
most demonstrating exceptional abilities as improvisers--including
harpist Edmar Castaneda and his Sextet and trombonist, composer
and arranger Luis Bonilla. Other more experienced players join
the ranks of performers--some of which include: pianist sensation
Luis Perdomo, drummer Dafnis Prietos, bassist Ruben Rodriguez
whose recent credits include performances with the Caribbean
Jazz Project, percussionist Annette A. Aguilar & String Beans,
saxophonist Miguel Zenon, percussionist Roberto Quintero whose
credits include performances with Oscar Deleon and Celia Cruz.
Many other outstanding musicians can usually be seen sitting
in with the band for an all out electrifying descarga jam. This
is one club that deserves the support and patronage of music
fans.
Whether you live in NYC or visiting, make it a point of stopping
by Arka Lounge on Wednesday nights where the music is guaranteed
to be caliente. Arka Lounge is located at 4488 Broadway (192nd
Street). For more information call 212-567-9425. You can also
log on to: www.arkalounge.com.
also see: Directory
of Jazz Clubs in NYC
