Jonathan Crayford presents The Music of Mambo Macoco

Mambo Macoco was started and set on course by the late great bass player and band leader Bobby Vidal reknown for his work with Louis Hayes, Hank Mobely and Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdez to mention a few. Brewing in the undergrowth of New York’s Lower East Side at the St Marks Bar, the Parkside Lounge and Bayamo on Broadway, Mambo Macoco in it’s eight years has attracted a loyal following to it’s charged blend of AfroCuban jazz, folkloric tradition and progressive improvisation and is a common call for touring Cuban bands such as Grupo Afro Cuba and Los Van Vans who, when in town, drop by to sit in or just to listen. It’s members include some of the most respected artists in music today and it’s heritage boasts the likes of Mario Bauza, Machito, Cachao and Dizzy Gillespie.

Jonathan Crayford brings the book of tunes from New York’s Mambo Macoco which he played with in the 90s to the Nui stage. He has assembled an Aotearoan version of the band to play the book and the line-up features:

Jonathan Crayford - piano (Groove Collective, Tony Allen, Macy Gray, Bruno Lawrence, David Murray, Kurt Rosenwinkel)
Miguel Fuentes - congas (George Benson, Patti LaBelle, Grover Washington)
Adán Tijerina - percussion (The Yoots, Bill Withers Social Band, The Eggs) Rafael Ferrer Noel- timbales (Son de Cuba, Culture Embassy, C26)
Mostyn Cole - bass (Roger Manins Trio)
Mike Costelo - trumpet (Louis Baker, The Black Seeds, Rodger Fox Big Band)
Lucien Johnson - tenor sax & flute (Mulatu Astatke, Lord Echo, The Black Seeds)