Live Music
That late giant of the Latin jazz and salsa scene,Tito Puente, is sure to be at the Fringe Club tonight - in spirit anyway - for a humdinger of a show to honour one of the biggest names in shake-your-booty-to music.
Composer and arranger Puente, who died this year aged 77, remains an inspiration to Latin jazz devotees, not least Hong Kong's adopted drummer, band leader and veteran recording artist Anthony Fernandes. His latest outfit, the Anthony Fernandes Latin Jazz Ensemble, is behind tonight's show.
'We will be playing many of Puente's famous compositions, and a selection of jazz standards and pop in the Latin jazz style he made famous,' says Fernandes. 'The concert has been put together to honour him for his inspiration to all lovers of Latin jazz - a style of music fortunately gaining popularity fast in Hong Kong.' Besides Fernandes, the ensemble boasts bassist Paul Candelaria, percussionist Jonathan Yip and saxophonist Benny Inot, plus keyboards, vocals, guitar and more percussion. 'This band seems to be the perfect outlet for all of us to play in a style we all like. I've been a big admirer of Puente for years, and we're lucky to have musicians of sufficient calibre here to carry on his legacy,' adds Fernandes. 'Afro-Cuban music has really taken off everywhere now, and I like to think it has something to do with the 100 or so albums Puente recorded. The most famous of Puente's songs to listen out for is Oye Como Va, made into a huge hit, of course, by Santana.' The Ensemble makes its debut tonight, with more concerts already planned.
The big international attraction this week - and it's about time we had one - is Primal Scream, who will be rattling all those panes of glass in the Convention Centre on Thursday. Bobby Gillespie's crew have long since left their days of playing dreamy 60s guitar pop behind, and now tip the scales at the heavier end of the rave-dance scene.
Noted for their euphemistically labelled on-the-road hedonistic tendencies, Primal Scream, making their third visit to Hong Kong, pull no punches live and are likely to prove the summer's biggest, and loudest, attraction. DJ Adrian Sherwood will be in support.
Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist Jane Eliz is destined for the big time, and sadly, after a stint of playing our clubs and bars, she's having to depart to find it. But before she leaves Hong Kong she will be giving a free, farewell concert with her band at the Fringe Club to thank all her loyal supporters. Be there at 10.30pm tomorrow for your last chance to see, at least for a while, a star in the making.