A Tribute to Ray Barretto in New York

The
Ray Vega Latin Jazz Quintet
and Bobby
Sanabria & Quarteto Ache will be performing a tribute concert to the
recently departed Ray Barretto. The concert is produced by
Sugarloaf Music. A Tribute to Ray Barretto will be held Friday, June 2nd
at 8 pm and Saturday, June 3rd 8 pm at the Pavilion at the
Lycian Center, 1351 Kings Highway,
Sugar Loaf, NY. Admission: $20 advance ticket, $25 at the door, $30 for Both
Concerts.
For reservations call: 845-986-6463.

Ray Barretto, who was a long-time resident of Warwick, New York, died in
February at the age
of 76. He was one of the pioneers of both the Latin jazz and
salsa movements. As a master percussionist he can be heard on over 50 albums in
a career spanning more that 40 years. He recorded and performed with all the
greats of latin and jazz music’s including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, The Fania
All-Stars, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Red Garland and Cannonball Adderley
to name a few.

In 1961 he had a hit record with “El Watusi” and received a
Grammy in 1990 for his collaboration with the singer Celia Cruz. Just before he
passed Barretto was honored as one of the National Endowment for the Arts
Masters of 2006 at the Jazz Educators Conference in New York City. This award is
considered to be the nation’s highest jazz honor. Also known as “Hard Hands” Barretto will be remembered for is powerful conga playing that could bring
crowds to their feet screaming for more.

His musical legacy lives on through his
many studio and live recordings and also through his son, Chris Barretto, who
plays the alto saxophone, and will be featured at the Saturday night tribute
along with the drummer Bobby Sanabria. Ray’s final recording, “Standards Rican-ditioned”,
will be released this August on the Zoho label and
will also feature the debut of Chris Barretto.

[Photo:
Bobby
Sanabria].