ALREADY NOSTALGIC FOR SUMMER

As the weather grows cold (for those of you in the Northern hemisphere, and in the Midwestern “yanqui” lizard-corner of my brain), I begin to look back nostalgically at the incredible summer filled with music, friends and family. I tend to document as best I can while in the thick of it, then write it all down later… I guess later is just a little later than usual this year, but I blame it on the whirlwind post-summer action back in Bogotá, which –as they (continue to) say in the US– is ALL GOOD!

Chicago is a music-lover’s paradise, especially in the summer when lots of it is out on the street and for free. It also happens to be my hometown and base camp for the annual summer pilgrimage. I thank family and friends for welcoming me back and keeping me busy, and my bike for continuing to carry me back and forth between all the action.

BACKYARD STUDIO
BIKING ALONG CHICAGO'S LAKEFRONT

My first night back I hopped on the bike to visit my friend, singer/guitarist MERCEDES LANDAZURI at SIP (great restaurant/bar at Southport & Irving – give ‘em your business; they help keep live music alive). Thanks for letting me crash your gig! He we are with another fine guitarist and friend, AYLON SAMOUHA.

AT SIP WITH MERCEDES AND AYLON (AN CAJONERO DESCONOCIDO)

EVENING ON THE BIKE

My longtime muso buddy, Venezuelan percussionist PIBO MÁRQUEZ was in town too and invited me to join his All-Star band at the Colombia Fest, an amazing gathering of Colombian (and other Latino) ex-pats with the LOUDEST sound system I have ever played with. Great time!

ON STAGE AT COLOMBIA FEST

PIBO MÁRQUEZ ON STAGE AT COLOMBIA FEST
Pibo was also playing a few gigs with champeta star CHARLES KING and they invited me to play second guitar to the amazing FRANKLIM MONTAÑO at the Old Town School (Chicago’s finest year-round world music venue).
WITH CHARLES KING AND PIBO MÁRQUEZ

ON STAGE AT OTS WITH CHARLES KING

In return, Pibo joined Xumapaz at SABOR A CAFÉ (wonderful venue run by great people), and we were joined by some incredible Chicago musicians including my brother SAMMIE TORRES on percussion, JOE SONNEFELDT on vibes, DEVIN FOSTER on upright bass, and ROY MCGRATH on sax. It was an amazing show. Definitely one of the highlights of the summer.

REHEARSING WITH PIBO, DEVIN & ROY

WITH SAMMIE TORRES AND DEVIN FOSTER

SABOR A CAFÉ

MORE SABOR!
Our boy TOMÁS GARCÍA flew in from NYC to visit with his family and took me and Pibo out with his buddy Chicago DJ Extraordinaire MARK GRUSANE for a look at the real late nightlife (I hadn’t partied ‘til 3 am in a long time…) Even got to see Tomi in action at PUNCHHOUSE under Thalia Hall.

TOMÁS STATION @ PUNCHHOUSE CHICAGO

HITTIN' THE TOWN WITH TOMI, MARK GRUSANE AND PIBO MÁRQUEZ

Of course, you can’t play all the time… sometimes you get to watch. Among the highlights this summer were outdoor shows at Millennium Park (Femi Kuti, King Sunny Ade) and TIM FITZGERALD’S FULL HOUSE show at Andy’s.

FEMI KUTI IN MILLENNIUM PARK

In August I was back at the VERMONT JAZZ CENTER’S SUMMERCAMP in Putney, Vermont and I just gotta say… I LOVE THIS PLACE! A solid week of music and music and more music with great fellow campers of all ages and amazing teachers from all over the world. This year I was especially blown away by drum instructor FRANCISCO MELA and Colombian pianist/composer CAROLINACALVACHE, not to mention my favorite Ensemble Maestro and sax giant SCOTTMULLETT. I really recommend this camp to anyone looking for a great jazz learning experience.

THE FABULOUS WILSON BROTHERS REUNION BAND

LATIN JAM WITH FRANCISCO MELA

EARLY EVENING PRACTICE ROOM (Photo: John Hasyn)

CAROLINA CALVACHE'S THEORY CLASS

ME N MALIK - THE FUTURE OF UPRIGHT

On my way back to Bogotá, I stopped by Brooklyn to check out Tomi’s digs and visit with friends… and more music! We caught a DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER show at the BAM R&B Festival! Ms. Bridgewater and her band were totally inspiring and gave me a great send-off.

DREAMIN'


ENJOYING DEE DEE WITH THE GIRLS

Thanks to everyone who made this one of the best summers ever! See you next year!!!