THE CUBAN MASTERS at the JAMES L. KNIGHT CENTER
By Linda Novit

"THE CUBAN MASTERS" was an orchestra put together by trombonist and band leader JUAN PABLO TORRES who opened the concert by apolegetically calling it General Rehearsal (ensayo general). The band did seem a little thrown together, but nobody seemed to mind, even at $60 a ticket. They were there to see legends and legends they saw!

The band started "caliente", singers AMAURY and HORNELIO dancing and clapping warming up the audience, the tempo building until HECTOR CASANOVA was called to the mike. He was dressed in a traditional white suit and as he sang and the band singers answered things got hotter.

Then a senior citizen in the same glowing white was helped up the stairs. It was flutist JOSE FAJARDO. The crowd gave him a sentimental standing ovation as he entered. They played a "son" and the singers sang "toca la flauta, Fajardo" in chorus. The man could play and he still had some good moves too!

They continued with "Dancon para los Maestros" sounding very traditional. The percussion warmed up and came to life building up the music for solos played by featured trumpet players "Trompetica" and "Pacha". Then the world famous trumpet player ALFREDO CHOCOLATE ARMENTERO was called to the stage.
The crowed led by JUAN PABLO chanted CHO_CO_LA_TE in conga rhythm. CHOCOLATE came to the U.S. in 1957, brought by MACHITO with a contract at the PALLADIUM in N.Y.. He was in the famous Cuban march down Broadway. He started with a beautiful solo trumpet intro. Then the son was happening and everybody kept chanting, cheering him on.

Another legend entered the stage. His name was RUDY CALZADO. He looked ageless. His voice might have broken and gone a little off key now and then, but I dare any young singer to match that phrasing! Superb. And he could dance. Another standing ovation!

JUAN PABLO then explained that they wanted to play the song which for them represented CUBAN MUSIC. They decided on "SANTA CECILIA", a song over a hundred years old. The bolero was sung by AMAURY who was a little nervous (it was the first time he sang it in public) but gave a beautiful, passionate rendition of the song. He later told me that the harmonies of that song have not been surpassed till this day.

The second set was better than the first. It contained the highlights of the evening. Starting with a piano duo, "LOS DOS ALFREDOS" Alfredo Rodriguez and Alfredo Valdez, their regular pianist. After them PATATO VALDEZ took the stage. He's known as the "King of congas" and "EL REY de los GUA GUANCO" He's a little stick of dynamite, very expressive! He'll talk to you with his congas, he makes them sing, cry out, says more with a few beats than some young kid showing off with speed' FRANCISCO AGUABELLA joined him on a second set of congas. They had a drum conversation, Patato patiently imparting wisdom, Fransisco rattling rebellion. Both were masters! It was almost an anti-climax when PATATO left the stage , I missed him, but then they brought up the MASTER BASS PLAYER CACHAO!

What a treat! It was nice to have a chance to see him after his concert in conjunction with the Film Festival had been sold out. He played a beautiful solo using the bow. So many musicians, so little time, I had a hard time keeping up! He continued using the bow almost making me cry, his intro was so meloncholy, then turned to humor as he plucked "La Cucaracha". He turned serious again and showed what an instrument that bass fiddle can be!

CHOCOLATE came back and one by one all the stars joined him on stage for an all star finale! The people were dancing in the isles, flustered ushers trying to get them to sit. The band didn't want to stop playing! It finally ended in a red hot conga, the likes of which I'd never heard. This is the REAL conga exclaimed Arturo Gomez from WDNA who was dancing next to me.

I went back stage to hang with Patato and see if I could interview some of the other "legends" Patato came to Miami at the time of the Mariels' He was with IRAKERE. I met him in Paris 20 years ago where he was playing with AZUCITA and he taught me to dance salsa. We've been friends since and usually jam and have a lot of fun. He was very elegant in his brown suit and wing tipped white and brown shoes. He's a great dancer with a fun sense of humor and a sparkling smile! He showed us some of his unique "Patato moves". Then he introduced me to his tall pretty daughter, NANCY who could hide him under her skirt and sneak him into movies!

I asked RUDY CALZADO a few questions for Latin Jazz Club:

L.J.C. "Que piensa de la musica corriente?"

Rudy "No hay musica mala si no mal tocada. La musica es como el viento, es eterna."

L.J.C. " Quien esta ensu orquest actualmente?

Rudy " En Nueva York tengo una orquesta Americana de 18 musicos"

L.J.C. " Que planes tiene para el futuro?

Rudy "Me voy a Europa. Ahora voy de gira por Espana y Alemania."

L.J.C. "Le gusto Miami?"

Rudy " El publico fue muy sabroso!"

Then I saw Hector Casanovas and asked him the same questions. His answers were as follows;

L.J.C. "Donde vive ahora?"

Hector "En Orlando, Paris y Nueva York, de donde salen las giras."

L.J.C. " Que piensa de la musica de hoy?"

Hector "El alma del pueblo es siempre la musica."

L.J.C. "Quien esta en su grupo?"

Hector " Si soy el cantante de Johnny Pacheco! Mujer! No lo sabias?

L.J.C. "Si, me encanta Johnny Pacheco, cuales son sus proyectos actuales?"

Hector " Un CD con Johnny y uno con "LOS MASTERS", vamos a ver cual sale primero."

L.J.C. Y el futuro?'

Hector " I'm gonna find somebody like you and get married."

L.J.C. "Le gusta Miami?"

Hector " Si, estuve muchas veces aqui!"

And then I found Mr. charm, Alfredo Chocolate Armentero Alfredo "Yo le contesto 40 preguntas si quiere, ven aqui!"

L.J.C. "Que le parece la musica corriente?"

Alfredo " Acepto que tenga cambio y me gusta toda la musica, si soy musico! Prefiero el son, la rumba, la guajira, yo vengo de la universidad de la musica Hispana Americana que se llama CUBA, despues que la copian es bonito, pero suena diferente. El son tiene nombre y apellido porque es de padre y madre. Se llama SON de CUBA. Soy hombre, baron, masculino, la unica mujer que hay en mi vida es mi trompeta y despues adoro a todas las hembras del mundo porque naci de una mujer.

L.J.C (getting a word in) " Quien toca en su orquesta actual?"

Alfredo " No toco con nadie, yo soy 10! Lo mismo lo regalo que la cobro cuando yo quiera"

L.J.C. "Le gusto Miami?"

Alfredo "Para vacaciones, si. Soy Nueva Yorquino!

Check in with us next month for more info on the Masters as I interview JUAN PABLO TORRES, father of the band and a fine trombone player, although in this case he acted mainly as conductor. Patato, my old friend, wherever you are, I miss you. Till we meet again.