The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera opens the Luken Holdings Pops Series with the Mambo Kings on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre.
The Mambo Kings are a nationally renowned touring Latin jazz ensemble made up of musicians who individually have toured with jazz greats around the world. They call their music a fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythm and contemporary jazz. They perform their own works and also take on music by Dave Brubeck, Tito Puentes and even the Beatles in their performances.
CSO Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt will conduct the show. “These performers are at the top of their field. I’m excited to work with them again and know that our audience will be glad they came out for this performance. Not only do they have the credentials, they have the raw talent and have earned their reputation with some of the greats in the industry."
The Mambo Kings is headed by musical director and pianist Richard DeLaney. Born and raised in Lima, Peru he moved to the U.S. and earned a Master’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music and is currently a faculty member of the Hochstein School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. He has written and performed music for film, television, the stage and the concert hall. He produced three recordings for the Mambo Kings on their own label, Mambokingdom Music.
Percussionist Freddy Colon has performed with Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Soneros Del Barrio, Johnny Rivera, El Cano and Paquito. He also teaches at the Eastman School of Music. Saxophonist John Viavattine has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra including a memorable performance in Washington, D.C. at President Reagan’s 1980 Inaugural Ball. Mr. Viavattine has also performed with Chuck and Gap Mangione, Jeff Tyzik, The Temptations, Ray Charles, Patti Page, Connie Francis, Vic Damone and Lou Rawls. Bassist Hector Diaz has performed with Ismael Miranda, Hector Tricoche, Paquito Acosta, and Johnny Rivera. While in the Army, Mr. Diaz toured with an All Soldiers show throughout Army bases in South Korea. Percussionist Tony Padilla performs on the congas with the group. He has played with Paquito D’Rivera, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Jerry Gonzalez and Lou Gramm. When not performing with the Mambo Kings, Mr. Padilla conducts clinics and workshops throughout the U.S.
Tickets range from $21 to $83 with $15 student tickets and discounts for educators and can be purchased by calling the CSO Box Office at 267-8583 or online at www.chattanoogasymphony.org. Mambo Kings CDs will be on sale in the lobby following the concert.