Listen to some of the songs performed by Las Chicas:
Cha Cha Queen Love for Sale Mama Africa Pal Monte
When was the last time you heard eight seasoned female musicians blow the roof off with some hot Latin tunes?
Brought together for the first time to constitute the main attraction for the 3rd Annual Women in Latin Jazz Festival, held this past April at Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain, these eight women from diverse backgrounds and nationalities found in each other compatibility and inspiration - the firm foundation for any successful performing group. And they proved at Spontaneous that women could play caliente, infectious, Latin jazz. The joint was jumpin'! These women have played for Boston's Cable TV show 'Fernando's Hideaway', and performing at Ryles Jazz Club this July.
Las Chicas - Women in Latin
These fine musicians are:
April Thomas, pianist extraordinaire and composer from Atlanta, GA, is currently a film-scoring major at Berklee College of Music.
Beth Munn Griffin, a swinging vibraphonist and pianist who is also a freelance classical percussionist. Beth is a native New Yorker and received degree in Music from UNH.
Caroline N'Daiye, also a native of New England, and a vocalist & saxophonist, is a well-traveled musician who has performed with Rumbafrica and the Nigerian Allstars. She also has led her own female Latin-jazz band, Chula, and taught West African Dance.
Deborah Rocha, from Kansas, is a vocalist and guitarist, who leads the consortium Entre Amigos, specializing in Brazilian music.
Janet Pabon, vocalist and percussionist, who has worked with the great names in Latin music, beginning with El Sexteto Pabon, one of the first bands in Boston to feature Latin Music. Janet's roots are in Puerto Rico.
Karina Vasquez, drums, who has studied drumming in her native Mexico, in Puerto Rico and now at Berklee. Karina is equally adept at jazz, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms.
Tal Shalom-Kobi, bass, is a Bass player and educator. Berklee grad (BA) & NEC (MA), she's been active in the world of music for the past 15 years. Tal is a native of Israel , Co-lead the "Jazz Marauders" Latin/Jazz quartet. www.jazzmarauders.com
Tina Jacas, a native of Chicago, plays flute, guitar, melodica & percussion. She is a Berklee grad and music teacher, currently involved in projects with the Brazilian groups, Entre Amigos and Sonho Meu.
Beth, Caroline, Deborah, Janet, Karina and Tal have all performed internationally.