The San José State School of Music and Dance hosted a Latin Jazz Ensemble Concert in the Music Building on Monday night. The stage had over 15 musicians including drummers, singers, pianists, and much more.
Latin jazz consists of music rhythms that are mixed with instruments including Spanish Caribbean jazz, Cuban, and Latin American music according to What is Latin Jazz by Jazz Observer website.
Jeffrey Lewis, conductor and coordinator of the Latin Jazz Ensemble led the hour-long concert followed by the cheerful crowd’s applause.
The lead Latin jazz singer Angela Lopez stood out on the stage in her bright pink outfit. She sang over 5 songs including Cuban songs dedicated to the Latinos in the audience.
The stage lights shined bright on each musician and the walls reflected it like marbles. The audience was a full house of people dancing and taking photos. The audience was so engaged that they got up to dance.
One couple really got the crowd's attention while a man spun his partner around to the beat of the music. The sound of the music was upbeat and friendly to anyone who may want to dance.
It was almost impossible for me not to dance. Latin jazz just makes you want to get up and dance.
I resonated a lot with the concert's great performance. As a Mexican American, music is one of the biggest traditions we use to bond with friends and family. Since I can remember, I've always loved to dance anything from salsa, cumbia, and the traditional dance of Mexico “Banda”.
It was rewarding to see people wanting to get up and feel the music. From students, teachers, parents, and anyone else who wanted to enjoy the music.
Not only were adults and young adults enjoying the music but there was a child with his mom who ran into the crowd as soon as a Cuban song went on.
Angela Lopez kept encouraging the entire crowd.
“Come on, I see you guys in the crowd wanting to dance. Come up!” Lopez said.
Not only did the concert encourage Hispanic people to embrace their culture, but anyone from any culture can resonate with the music.
I mean, there was a guy in the doorway hitting some pretty great dance moves. There were also people in their seats dancing or bobbing their heads.
Lopez said a few words of encouragement in Spanish to the Latino folks in the crowd.
Even though his specialty was not singing, Jeffrey Lewis got up and started singing with the lead singer.
The crowd was enjoying the music so much but unfortunately, the concert had to come to an end.
Lopez said to the crowd that the last song was for everyone and they should get up one more time to dance.
She ended the night with the song ‘Amor Mio No Te Vayas’ which translates in English to ‘My Love, Don't Go’.
It is a song by Gilberto Santa Rosa, a Puerto Rican bandleader and singer known for his romantic salsa music.
For the rest of the night, everyone kept singing the chorus, Amor mio no te vayas’.
