Herwig spices up classic jazz
Jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter were never known for Latin jazz – until Conrad Herwig and his band sank their dientes into this music.
The band’s name sums it up: Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side of Miles, ‘Trane and Wayne.
Herwig and his band of New York-based virtuosos will be the evening headliners at the Spokane Falls Community College Jazz etc. Festival on Saturday.
“They take the most famous compositions of those three guys and Latinize them,” said Gary Edighoffer, one of the festival directors. “It combines the chord progressions and melodies of the originals with the grooves and pulsating rhythms of Latin jazz.”
Herwig, the winner of multiple critics’ awards from Downbeat magazine, is one of the best known jazz trombonists in the world.
“Conrad plays trombone like Coltrane plays sax,” said Edighoffer.
His CDs, “Another Kind of Blue: The Latin Side of Miles Davis” and “The Latin Side of John Coltrane,” were both nominated for Grammys.
The group he has assembled features a number of top Latin jazz players, including drummer Robby Ameen, saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpet Mike Rodriguez, pianist Bill O’Connell, bass player Luques Curtis and percussionist Pedro Martinez.
“Not only are these the greatest Latin players in the country, but they are all burning soloists,” said Edighoffer. “These guys tour the biggest jazz clubs in the world.”
Their evening show, in the Music Building Auditorium, will have no opening act – just two big sets by the band.
However, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the SFCC Jazz Festival, a variety of acts will be performing all afternoon in the Student Union Building.
Danny McCollim and the SFCC Jazz Combo will play at 2 p.m., followed at 2:40 by Dave Wakeley and SFCC Jazz Workshops.
The MOJO Blues Band, with special guest Pat Barclay, will play at 4:15 p.m. Soul Proprietor, a 10-piece rhythm and blues band, will take the stage at 6 p.m.
You can see all of these afternoon shows for only $8, at the door.
Tickets for the evening show are $23 for adults, $18 for students and seniors, which includes an all-day pass for the afternoon shows as well.