The Rhode Island Historical Society welcomes Carlos de Leon and his orchestra to offer a sizzling performance of Latin jazz that often incorporates the grooves of salsa, merengue, cumbia, son, and other Latin dance music during the2012 Concerts Under the Elms series at the John Brown House Museum. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the beautiful grounds, or new this year, purchase Bravo’s wood-fired pizza made on location. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven with an icy cold bottle of Rhode Island’s own Granny Squibb’s iced tea.
Latin jazz master, trumpet player, vocalist and bandleader Carlos de Leon has been playing music professionally for over 30 years. He arrived in New York City from the Dominican Republic in 1964 at the time when this music world, Latin jazz/Afro-Cuban, was giving birth to the global dance phenomenon called Salsa.
In the late 1960′s and early 1970′s he played with such Latin jazz luminaries as Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, the originator Machito and with the Fania All-Stars that pioneered Salsa. Over the next few decades de Leon performed throughout the US, South America and various other parts of the world.
De Leon moved to Providence, RI in 1989—a place he has called home ever since—bringing his powerful interpretation of the Latin jazz tradition to New England. He has formed his own Latin jazz band comprised of musicians from New England as well as world-class musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.
Concerts made possible with generous support from Amica Insurance, Brown University, BNY Mellon, Washington Trust, Partridge, Snow & Hahn, Bank of America, Esten and Richards Insurance, and Granny Squibb’s Iced Tea.
June 28 – the American Band. Patriotic music and “pops” repertoire
July 12 – the Carlos de Leon Latin Jazz Band. Original and traditional Latin jazz
July 19 – Duke Robillard Band. Classic blues, R&B, and swing
August 2 – Pendragon. Celtic-inspired music
August 9 – Greg Abate Jazz Quartet. Swinging melodic jazz standards and originals
August 16 – Magnolia. Cajun dance music
$10 per person. Free for RIHS members and children under 12
For more information, contact Mary Lou Upham at 401-331-8575 x33 or mlupham@rihs.org.
In case of inclement weather, call 401-331-8575 x33 after 1:30pm the day of the concert.