Back with a BANG @ Birdland

On August 27th 2003, some of NYs finest talent came together to celebrate the 80th birthday of the legendary Graciela. I kept the introductions in because each one of these performers deserves to have their names mentioned aloud and not just written. After an Arturo O'Farrill solo of his father's beautiful "Puro Emotion" the band swings into action. Despite a rough beginning (this was a vente tu jam in Graciela's honor...no rehearsals) the soloing on the classic Mambo Inn that ensued was worth the price of a ticket. One of the great things was that the stage was graced with some young lions and "La Vieja Guardia" like Mike Collazo on timbales. Check out the percussion discussion where the band trades fours. Mike Collazo is playing those serious "Manteca Gorda" licks as my boy Max Garduno would call them.

Graciela's 80th @ Birdland 8/27/03

There are so many special musical nights in NY. This was truly one of them. Friend and fan gathered to pay their respects to the wonderful Graciela on her 80th birthday. The bash held at Birdland was fantastic, bringing out some of NYs finest musicians to pay homage to this truly great singer. "Gracie" took to the stage to lead what became an all out descarga, featuring David Oquendo on tres, Jimmy Bosch on trombone and Manny Duran on trumpet.

Graciela's 80th @ Birdland, 8/27/03

This video begins with a tribute to Ernesto Lecuona, one of Cuba's greatest composers by one of Cuba's greatest musicians, Paquito D'Rivera and continues with a vintage Graciela bolero.

Graciela's Birthday Party, Birdland 8/27/03

Graciela's Birthday party hosted by Birdland was a gas from beginning to end. Here we see Phillip Michael Mossman and Paquito D'Rivera, Candido, Avram and Alex (conguero and drummer from AfroMantra) Joe Gonzalez, Ruben Rodriguez and I believe DiMartino (on piano). paying tribute to the great Machito vocalist GRACIELA.