Sofia Rei – Photo Courtesy of Blue Curtain
In cooperation with the Princeton Recreation Department, Blue Curtain celebrates 12 years of bringing world-class musicians from around the globe. They present another free summer concert, this year featuring Caribbean and South American rhythms.
The Community Park North Amphitheater in Pettoranello Gardens will be the venue for Latin jazz legend Papo Vázquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours and Sofia Rei, who has been called “one of the best Argentine singers ever” on Saturday, July 16 starting at 7 PM. “Princeton’s beautiful Pettoranello Gardens is a powerful setting for a transformative musical experience on a warm summer evening” says Stephen Allen, co-founder of Blue Curtain.
NEA Master and Grammy Award nominee, Papo Vázquez is a jazz trombonist with his own style and he is one of the key figures of Latin music. He has performed in groups such as Conjunto Libre, in the band of Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colón as a teen. Papo has also performed with jazz greats Wynton Marsalis, Ray Charles, Slide Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. Joining him will be Willie Williams (saxophone), Rick Germanson (piano), Ariel Roles (bass), Joel Mateo (drums), Carlos Maldonado (percussion) and Gao Lugo (percussion).
Originally from Buenos Aires, Sofía Rei’s music is grounded in traditional sounds of Argentina, Afro-Peru, Afro-Uruguay, Colombia, plus other genres, merging jazz harmonies, electronic sounds and rich improvisations. Her ensemble includes JC Maillard (guitar), Josh Deutsch (trumpet), Pablo Menares (acoustic bass) and Franco Pinna (drums and percussion).
Arrive early to enjoy the charm of Pettoranello Gardens and take a walk around its lake. Both are located in the southeast corner of Community Park North, which is at the corner of Route 206 and Mountain Avenue.