On Monday night The Buena Vista Orchestra, under the direction of famed Cuban trombonist, composer and arranger Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos, transformed the Red Butte Garden hillside into a 1950s Havana nightclub (at least in my imagination) with an eclectic mix of Cuban, Afro-Cuban, and Caribbean sounds. They played the canon of 20th-century Cuban music with a contemporary twist. “Babalu,” and “Quizas, Quizas,” both oldies-but goodies, resonated with a 2024 audience.
The nine-piece orchestra, including a few members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club (BVSC), took us on a musical celebration of Cuba. The ensemble played “El Cuarto de Tula” and “Candela” from the BVSC’s Grammy-winning album. One highlight of the evening included Jesus Ramos and his daughter Lorena performing a duet of “El Trombone Majadero.” In the middle of the number, singer Geidy Chapman joined in with an ethereal rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Chapman’s vocals magically filled the thin mountain air. She tapped into the stylings of the Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz with “Azucar” and performed an unforgettable version of “Besame Mucho.”
You didn’t need to speak Spanish to enjoy the music. Great music played by skilled musicians and singers communicate a kinetic language we all understand. Though I appreciate my friends Anne and John Stark for educating me on the finer points of Cuban music and to Rick Hughes for his Spanish translation.
As an unexpected bonus to the scheduled lineup, Cody Jasper, who is serving as the orchestra’s driver also happens to be an accomplished singer and songwriter. Jasper opened the show with a little Texas acoustic-blues. He played a spirited rendition of Dylan’s “Tangled Up in Blues” and an original “American Dream.” He ended with a folky-blues version of “House of the Rising Sun.” His four-song set was over in the blink of an eye, but he left a lasting impression and got us in the mood to groove.
The weather remained perfect as did the sound quality in the amphitheatre. I will ease into winter eagerly awaiting next summer’s lineup of spectacular music in our beautiful garden.
Who: Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos and his Buena Vista Orchestra featuring original members of the Buena Vista Social Club
Where: Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
When: Monday, September 9, 2024
Info: https://redbuttegarden.org/concerts/
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