James Sanders + Conjunto

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

TIME: 3:30-4:30PM

VENUE: Little Black Pearl. 1060 East 47th St.

James Sanders + Conjunto

In Conjunto, James Sanders unites his classical training with the freedom of jazz improvisation and grounds them in the lively rhythms of the Caribbean: rumba, son, danzón, bolero, and more. What results are performances that move audiences both literally and figuratively, as intricate instrumental virtuosity, jazz freedom, and propulsive dance rhythms join up to make music for mind, body, and soul. 

Equally at home at a dance party, jazz club, or on a festival stage, Conjunto can move an audience from a moment of hushed intimacy to a burst of joyous dancing—and then back again. Their repertoire ranges from Afro-Cuban classics (à la Buena Vista Social Club) to Latin arrangements of jazz standards, fusion, and even the Great American songbook, plus original material written by Sanders and other members of the group. 

They have performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Andy's Jazz Club, Jazz Showcase, the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival, The Velvet Lounge, Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, Logan Center for the Performing Arts, Katerina's, Chicago SummerDance, Chicago Cultural Center, Sabor a Café, and many more. They have recorded three albums: Live in Little Village, Chicago Sessions, and Evidencia. 

Between them, Conjunto’s musicians have dozens of years of experience playing both mainstream jazz and salsa, and have worked with artists including Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin, Dr. John, Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, Clifford Jordan, Nancy Wilson, Louis Bellson, Jimmy McGriff, Andy Montanez, Kurt Elling, Dee Alexander, the New Black Music Repertory Ensemble, Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and Chévere. 

The musicians: 

James Sanders – violin

Kevin O’Connell – piano

Jean-Christophe Leroy – drums and timbales

Joe Rendon – congas and percussion

José Porcayo – bass