Los Angeles-based Latin percussionist Luis Conte will be in Portland this weekend for two shows where he will be the featured guest with two Portland-based groups.
First, on Friday, February 12th, Conte will join the Portland Jazz Orchestra for a concert at the First United Methodist Church (1838 SW Jefferson St) for a concert called “El Rey del Timbal” where the big band will explore the music of Tito Puente. Don’t miss this chance to see Conte with some of Portland’s best jazz musicians, including Darrell Grant, Alan Jones, Farnell Newton, and more. Also, Portland’s own Latin-jazz king Bobby Torres will be joining the group on percussion for this special event.
Then, on Saturday, February 13th, Conte will join the Bobby Torres Ensemble at Jimmy Mak’s for another evening of hot Latin jazz. You won’t find another percussion section like this in Portland again in 2010: Bobby Torres, Carmello Torres (Bobby’s son), and Luis Conte.








King Louie and Sweet Baby James will hit two Fridays and Brasserie Montmartre in January, on the 8th and the 22nd. The band will be rounded out by Renato Caranto on saxophone and Micah Kassell on drums. This should be a great chance to hear the group in a smaller and more intimate venue. Also, you get a chance to hear Louis’s new Nord C2 organ.