All Star Salute to the Giants of Latin Jazz at the Kumble Theater

Long Island University’s Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts in Brooklyn will be the intimate setting for an homage to Afro-Caribbean jazz masters with “Sabado de Gloria: All Star Salute to the Giants of Latin Jazz.” Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, is also known as Sabado de Gloria on the Latin religious calendar.

A group of great Afro-Caribbean jazz musicians will perform in a concert on Saturday, April 15, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dave Valentin, Hilton Ruiz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Papo Vazquez, Randy Brecker, Sherman Irby, John Benitez, Dafnis Prieto and Anthony Carrillo will join together for the first time on stage. They will perform new arrangements to classic Latin jazz tunes as well as specially composed music for the occasion.

Noting that the late great Tito Puente received an honorary doctorate from the University in 1994, “It is fitting that this historic concert be held at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus, ” says event co-organizer Bob Myers from Up Over Jazz Productions. “I am grateful to the University for providing the central Brooklyn community with access to world-class productions at the Kumble Theater.”

The 320-seat theater is impeccably crafted for the technical demands of music concerts. With a stage extending to the seating area, the theater fosters an intimacy between artists and their audiences. This All Star salute to the Afro-Caribbean jazz masters is part of the 7th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival. The event will benefit the not-for-profit Brooklyn arts organization, the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.