Current Conditions
51°F - SUNNY
"It doesn't get much hotter than this," trombonist Jimmy Bosch, who took the stage with his 11-piece salsa band at the park's summer series concert, said.
Bosch delivered two hours of salsa-dura music. The long-time musician is acclaimed as a pioneer of the hard-driving genre of salsa.
The sounds of horns, percussion and keyboard were accented by a few booms of thunder early in the concert. Though the crowd thinned because of a brief storm, dedicated concertgoers took shelter beneath umbrellas and blankets.
Many who stayed and braved the weather ditched their umbrellas to dance in front of the band.
"I've been salsa dancing for eight years," said Andrew Reyes, who with fiancé Caroline Rodriguez joined the dozens dancing underneath the amphitheater lights.
Reyes — a dance instructor at Salsabor Studios — was joined by several other dance studio members, as well as a few amateurs.
"We love salsa. We're going to go give it a try," said Jessica Qupelees, who was joined by husband Danny and sons Oneill, Danny Jr., and Louis.
Bosch — who refers to himself as a "fiebrú," or feverish salsa head — has played for audiences across the U.S, Europe and Latin America. His recent tour included a trip to Venezuela.He has played trombone with notable salsa and Latin jazz figures such as Celia Cruz, the Machito Orchestra, Fania All-Stars, Willie Colón, Marc Anthony, Steve Wilson, David Sanchez and the Buena Vista Social Club.
Bosch kept the rain-dampened crowds dancing with songs like "Vengo de Amor," featuring Jorge Castro on saxophone. Herman Olivera doubled on vocals and maracas.
The dynamic band played songs from Bosch's 1998 debut album "Soneando Trombónon," and his more recent release "Salsa Dura." Another album is in the works, Bosch told the crowd.
In between "moñas," or musical riffs, of mambo, cha cha, descarga, plena and guaguanco, Bosch introduced the ensemble playing behind him, noting their Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, Panamanian and Colombian heritage.
The crowd's applause grew particularly loud after Colombia was mentioned. Sunday marked the country's independence day.
"What better way to celebrate than to come out to a Latin concert," said Melissa Torón, who wore a yellow, red and blue poncho to commemorate the event. She was joined by husband Mauricio, who is Colombian.
By the end of the night, the couple joined the dozens dancing in front of the stage. They were joined by another — their 3-year-old daughter, Sofia.
"She dances, too," joked Mauricio.
(660) (635) (205) (126) (7) (3)E-mail: kobrien@lnpnews.com
