The Mambo Craze Re-Awakens in Montclair NJ on July 4th @ 11 AM. 31 Midland Ave

23 Piece Mambo Big Band - July 4th  Montclair 11AM

What an incredibly unrepeatable history of cross-pollination between Jazz and Cuban music that occurred right there on 53rd St along 7, Broadway, and 6th streets with Birdland and the Palladium Nightclub in the 40s, 50s & 60s. Palladium and surrounding clubs were the heart of Mambo from a musician's perspective and also from a dancing perspective.

The only venue in the city that was NOT segregated. It was the Studio 54 of music and culture (i mean that in a good way). So many legends were formed there, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, and Machito and his "Afro-Cubans". Back in those days, having the word "Afro" was not the thing to do and Machito didn't give a hoot because black is beautiful, not only visually but also, most importantly black was beautiful musically. The tremendous African influence that the Cuban and Puerto Ricans brought to music was undeniable. In fact, the jazz players of the Birdland including Dizzie and Charlie Parker and others so LOVED the Mambo music emanating from the Palladium that after their gigs, they would rush over to hear Tito Puente and other latin stars do their thing. Likewise, the Latin musicians also went over to the Jazz clubs because of their love of Jazz. It was a marriage made in heaven that revolutionized music forever.


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