Detroit’s Latin Music Greats Perform at Arab American National Museum Dec. 17.
The barrios of Southwest Detroit have been fertile ground for several generations of Latin music acts, some of whom remained on their home territory and others who went on to national and international fame.
In the sizzling conclusion to the Fall 2009 season of Global Thursdays at the Arab American National Museum, an unprecedented gathering of performers from Southwest Detroit – including beloved veterans and fresh faces – will light up the night with a once-in-a-lifetime Southwest Detroit Super Session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 17.
“Though most of us have played with each other separately at one time or another, this is the first time ever we have played as a collective and the first time that musicians from such a wide range of musical styles have collaborated to showcase the diversity found in Latino cultures,” says Ozzie Rivera, who is co-producing the Southwest Detroit Super Session with Ismael Duran.
In addition to Rivera, who currently plays with Orquesta La Inspiracion, the lineup for the December 17 performance includes:
Benny & Mauro Cruz (La Buena Vida)
Ismael “Bandolero” Duran
Mickey Figueroa (Orquesta La Inspiracion)
Alina Morr (Straight Ahead)
Mel Rosas (Bomba Rica, The Layabouts)
Armando Vega (Tumbao Salsa, Orquesta La Inspiracion, et al)
Javier Barrios (Tumbao Salsa, Orquesta La Inspiracion, et al)
Eduardo Brinquez
Eddie Caraballo (Grupo Salvaje)
Dulce Checkler (Orquesta La Inspiracion)
Chris Kaecher (Orquesta La Inspiracion)
Consuela Lopez (Orquesta La Inspiracion)
Doris Perez
Dennis Schinzel (Fuego)
Below is quick clip of the group rehearsing for the Dec. 17 event.
The program will spotlight Latin American and Caribbean music, as well as American music with Latin influences. Audiences can expect to hear songs written by artists from Celia Cruz to Carlos Santana, alongside Chilean folk, salsa, merengue and Latin jazz.
It wouldn’t be a true Latin music experience without dancing. Several Latin dance pros will be on hand to perform flamenco and Afro Cuban styles while encouraging the audience to get out of their seats. Additionally, young dancers and musicians from Detroit-based COMPAS (Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest) will be featured in a new-talent showcase.
“The Southwest Detroit Super Session also highlights the little-known fact that the Detroit Latino community has been a hotbed of musical creativity and energy for decades,” says Rivera. “Many former Latino Detroiters have gone on to be part of Grammy-winning albums and popular TV shows,” he says.
Among the most accomplished Latin musicians who have come out of Detroit over the years are, according to Rivera:
Luis Resto, keyboards, Academy Award winner, “Lose Yourself” (Eminem’s 8 Mile)
Emilio Castillo, co-founder of the venerable soul outfit Tower of Power
Fito Foster, nationally known salsa band leader and pianist
Nengue Hernandez, percussionist with many top salsa bands
Andres “Dez” Hernandez, percussionist/DJ and son of Nengue Hernandez, a former member of the band Ozomatli
Francisco “Panchito” Lozano, big band leader and trumpet player for several decades
Advance tickets for the Southwest Detroit Super Session at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, are available ONLINE ONLY at www.arabamericanmuseum.org Tickets are also available at the door. Museum Members pay just $9 while all others pay $10. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.
Global Thursdays – the Arab American National Museum’s multicultural performance series showcasing the finest in world music, performance art and film – is made possible in part by Ford Motor Company, Comerica Bank, MASCO Corporation Foundation, DTE Energy, Arab Detroit and DoubleTree Hotel Detroit/Dearborn.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.
The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.