NEW YORK (Sugarloaf Music) - Sugarloaf
Music is pleased to present a Tribute to
Ray Barretto Friday, June 2nd at 8 pm and Saturday, June 3rd 8 pm.
Ray Barretto, who was a long-time resident of Warwick, NY, who passed at the age of 76 this past February, 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's 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 know 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 (https://www.zohomusic.com/) and will also feature the debut of Chris Barretto.
A native of the South Bronx, RAY VEGA is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Mario Bauza, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Hector LaVoe, Johnny Pacheco, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez and Louie Ramirez to name a few. Ray has now established himself as one of the innovators of the New York Jazz trumpet scene. A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer, and arranger, he presents Jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective. His two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut "Ray Vega", and "Boperation", along with his 1st release on the Palmetto label "Pa'lante" have been well received by critics, audiences and musicians alike. Vega's 2nd Palmetto CD "Squeeze, Squeeze" was released in Feb.2004 and has also received critical acclaim including Four Stars in Down Beat Magazine.
Vega grew up immersed in the heart of two vibrant New York City music scenes: Jazz and Salsa. In addition to learning about these two musical styles with some of the great legends, he received his formal training studying trumpet with Sydney Baker, Henry Nowak, Mike Lawrence, Stan Shafran, Laurie Frink, Richard Brezowski and Jerry Gonzalez. He studied Jazz harmony and improvisation with Susan Winder, Bobby Rogovin and Lonnie Hillyer and Afro-Caribbean percussion with Luis Bauzo. Ray Vega is a graduate of the legendary High School of Music and Art.
A much in-demand musician, he has performed with Mongo Santamaria with whom he recorded three CD's, Mario Bauza's Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, including their first-ever European tour, and Ray Barretto and the New World Spirit. Vega was privileged to record three projects with this landmark group including the Grammy nominated "Taboo" and "Contact". It was during his time with Barretto that Vega was called upon to join the Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra as lead trumpeter. Vega recorded with Puente's Orchestra many times over including the Grammy winning "Mambo Birdland", "Dancemania '99" and "Obra Maestra". Vega is the last lead trumpeter of this legendary ensemble. Renowned Bassist and Jazz Educator Todd Coolman says- "(Ray Vega's) creating a very, very valuable bridge from the classroom to the bandstand... That's the magic that Ray brings. He transcends academia and makes it real"
