Jose Rizo, KJazz 88.1’s host of “Jazz on the Latin Side”, created the latin-jazz group “MONGORAMA”. They explore the early Mongo Santamaria jazz material from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Chombo Silva, Conga legend Mongo Santamaria and Rolando Lozano, a saxophonist and flutist, performed a thrilling latin jazz sound that was influenced by straight ahead jazz and cuban charanga rhythms. “MONGORAMA”, which celebrates this music, preserves the classic charanga jazz element and yet refreshes it with a modern outlook. Justo Almario, tenor saxophonist, and Danilo Lozano, flautist, will be performing “MongorAMA”, which will include revisiting Chombo Silva’s explorations and Rolando Lozano (Danilo’s Dad) as flautists. Dayren Santamaria (violin), James Zavaleta(lead vocals), Ramon Banda [timbales], Joey De Leon (“congas”), Alfredo Ortiz (“perc/vocals”), Rene Camacho („bass”) and Joe Rotondi (“piano”) round out the group. Last year, the self-titled debut CD “MONGORAMA” (on Saungu Records), received a Grammy nomination. Special guests Hubert Laws, Poncho Sanchez and Francisco Torres perform early Mongo Santamaria material. “Baila Que Baila”, the latest CD, features Poncho Sanchez, a conguero. Also, Kenny Burrell, a guitarist, performs one of his classic compositions. Visit www.saungu.com
