CHÉVERE is one of Chicago’s hottest bands, featuring the finest caliber musicians. Characterized by high voltage percussion and compelling original compositions, Chévere has performed in and around Chicago and the Midwest for more than 30 years. The core of the band has been together for over 25 years, giving the band an almost telepathic ability to interact spontaneously onstage. The band has an impressive array of virtuosic melodic soloists, and the percussion section is deeply rooted in traditional folklore and religious music from Cuba, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Founder and leader of the band, ALEJO POVEDA (drums, percussion) is from Costa Rica and toured extensively in South and Central America before moving to Chicago. He founded Chévere as a percussion ensemble in 1977. Joining Chévere in 1979, Music Director HOWARD LEVY (piano, harmonica) is best known for his work with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, as well as Kenny Loggins, Paquito D’Rivera, and Trio Globo. A Grammy Award Winner and 2-time nominee, Howard has had a lifelong passion for Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music.
Comprising the rest of Chévere are RUBEN ALVAREZ TIMBALES (percussion, drums & vocal), who has a band with Chuchito Valdes, son of the great Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes; CHRIS “CHICAGO HAMBONE” CAMERON (Hammond B-3 Organ, Fender Rhodes, Moog & keyboards), one of Chicago’s leading studio keyboard players; ERNIE DENOV (guitar) a composer of Chévere’s best loved tunes and a member Lt. Dan Band, along with Gary Sinise and Kimo Williams; STEVE EISEN (saxes, flute, & percussion), an original member of Chévere and one of the leading sax players in the Midwest; ERIC HOCHBERG (bass & vocal), a bandleader, producer, singer, trumpeter, and composer who has toured internationally with the Lyle Mays Quartet, the Kurt Elling Quartet, and the Paul Wertico Trio; MARK OHLSEN (trumpet & flugelhorn), lead trumpet and a skilled recording engineer and arranger who is a veteran of many jazz big bands; and JOE RENDON (congas, percussion & vocal), who provides a deep knowledge of traditional Afro-Cuban percussion and chants as well as an ability to adapt the congas to any style of music.
Website: http://www.cheveredechicago.com/
