Music on Sunday Concert Series -West End Mambo

West End Mambo began as a Latin jazz project in the West End neighborhood of Winston-Salem, NC. Originally formed in 1999 by Ukrainian bassist Andrew Valentine, it has evolved from a five-piece Latin jazz project to a robust eight-piece salsa band with musicians from North, South and Central America as well as the Caribbean. The inspiration for the band’s musical direction was the 1998 documentary Buena Vista Social Club, featuring artists from Cuba’s ‘musical golden age’ (1930-1950). The band has stayed in touch with its traditional Cuban salsa roots and will perform as a five-piece ensemble integrating Latin jazz and salsa with traditional jazz styles. Musicians include Cesar Oviedo (Piano, bass & vocals), Steve Blake (Sax & flute), Eudulio Solis (Vocals & Guitar), Marcelo Falconi (bass & Guitar) and Ramone Ortiz (Percussion & vocals).