Swing & Jazz Preservation Society Opens Season Tues. Nov. 20
The Swing & Jazz Society’s opening season concert begins next Tuesday evening, November 20, 2007 at the Spanish River Performing Art Center, 2400 Yamato Road, corner of St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton.
Anselmo Vidal, Jr. leads his 16 piece Latin jazz band playing rumba, mambo and cha-cha music. From the moment Anselmo kicks off the beat you’ll know you’re in for a lively, toe tapping evening. An extra treat: Two couples will demonstrate Latin dances.
Anselmo arrived in New York City from Aquadilla, Puerto Rico with his parents when he was 9 years old. He attended Metropolitan High School in the city. During these formative years he honed his talents as a Latin percussion musician, playing drums, timbale’s (bongo drums) and timbalito’s (small timbale’s).
The Tito Puente band inspired Anselmo to some day form a band that played exciting Latin music that included Mambo, Cha-Cha, Bolero and Meringue.
In 1992 Anselmo and his wife Miriam moved to south Florida. In 2003 with the help of a New York musician, Carlos Castillo who transcribed arrangements, Anslemo was able to realize his life long dream, putting together his 16 piece “Orquesta Nostalgia” with the help of Willie Suarez, bassist; Joe Tumminello, percussion; Jack Bragin, and Dr. Tim Walters, trumpet players. Among the other key musicians in the band are Jimmy Sedler, lead trumpeter; Marty Freed, sax; and lead vocalist, Dennis Rivera.
Anselmo, at 72 years young demonstrates his tall talent even though he only stands 5’ 2” and is slightly built at 130 pounds, by leading the band, playing the music he loves and slapping out the rhythm on his timbale’s and timbalito’s.
“Putting this big band together is a labor of love,” states Anselmo. “I look for musicians that have a passion for playing Latin music and who are dedicated to the same strong work ethic that I have for the success of the band by playing lively Latin music most people enjoy.”
For ticket information call (561) 499-9976, or purchase at box office the evening of the concert at the Arts Center.
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