THE SHOWROOM SESSIONS: Streaming LIVE from Piedmont Piano Company
El Vucko Latin Quartet
Goes South of the Border
El Vucko – Larry Vuckovich’s Latin Quartet – presents an in-depth program of Latin music, covering important historic locations such as Cuba, Central America, and Mexico. Pianist Larry Vuckovich has had the fortune of being connected and having performed with some of the great Latin percussionists and other musicians, like Jose Mangual, Pete Escovedo, John Santos, and Louis Romero, to name a few. Larry, “El Vucko,” will present music from his wide-ranging repertoire of classic Latin compositions, joined by guitarist Kai Lyons, bassist Buca Necak, and Latin percussionist Javier Navarette.
Watch the LIVE STREAM on youtube or facebook
Donations/tips accepted via paypal.me/larryvuckovich
Larry Vuckovich has won acclaim from critics and jazz audiences for his deeply imaginative style and repertoire heard at prestigious North American and European jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals. The New York Times notes that his unique outlook and collection of influences “set him apart from most pianists who are heard regularly in New York.” The Village Voice comments on his “book of piano gems that will keep you guessing.” The Toronto Globe and Mail calls him “a musician who sits apart from the rest by virtue ... of his taste for both the exotic and the exquisite.” He has played with jazz greats from several influences: Dexter Gordon, Philly Joe Jones, Mel Tormé, Don Byas, and Red Norvo to today’s artists: Charlie Haden, Bobby Hutcherson, Bobby McFerrin, Tom Harrell, and Charles McPherson. He led the Keystone Korner house trio in San Francisco for five years, before moving to the New York scene, where he played at all the top clubs. When he returned home, Larry later headed the Grand Hyatt’s Club 36 music program, which during his tenure, became a San Francisco Jazz Festival venue. Larry presented weeklong theme shows there and at Kimballs East/West, Yoshi’s, and The Bach, and was artistic director of the former Napa Valley Jazz Festival in Yountville. He also performed as a guest of Marian McPartland on her NPR show, Piano Jazz. In August 2019, he traveled to Serbia to perform at the Nišville Festival, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from his former country, Yugoslavia, for being the only jazz musician from those parts who has performed in the US with numerous greats & received top reviews from the NY Times & other major publications. larryvuckovich.com
Kai Lyons is a 25 year old jazz guitarist. Growing up in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, he was surrounded by music and community from an early age. He completed his studies at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in 2012 as the first to graduate from the acclaimed Classical Guitar Program, directed by Scott Cmiel. From 2012-2014, on full scholarship, Kai attended the prestigious jazz program at William Paterson University of New Jersey, directed by Mulgrew Miller. He studied with Vincent Herring, Gene Bertoncini, Harold Mabern, Rich Perry, and Hal Galper. Kai received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Francisco State University where he studied with Andrew Speight, Michael Zisman and Hafez Modirzadeh.
Ever since returning to the Bay Area in 2015, he has freelanced extensively and also traveled frequently to New York City, New Orleans, and the Caribbean on music trips. In 2018 he participated in Master Class: Orff-Afrique 2018 in Ghana, Africa.
Besides working with his own trio, Kai has performed with Mike Clark and Donald Harrison of Herbie Hancock’s Original Headhunters, Louis Romero, award-winning organist Wil Blades, Larry Vuckovich, Sueños and Illy Bogart. kailyons.com
The Belgrade bassist Buca Necak, emigrated to the US in 1975. He has performed with some great names in jazz including Clark Terry, Freddie Hubbard, Freddie Cole, Grady Tate, Anita O'Day – just to name a few. He is a naturally hard swinging bassist with an original sound and style. Here is a quote regarding Buca's performance in San Diego with the excellent guitarist Peter Sprague: " The Belgrade-born Necak shows himself to be a rather original stylist, particularly when he scats along with several of his pizzicato bass solos, sort of like Slam Stewart without the bow. " Buca is also one of the most versatile bassists in jazz, being at home as well with the Brazilian and Latin music.
Javier Navarrette has dedicated himself to the study and performance of music, specializing in Afro Caribbean rhythms. Javier has studied with masters in Cuba such as Miguel Angá Díaz, Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana, Folklorico Nacional de Cuba and Bay Area masters John Santos, Michael Spiro, and Jesús Díaz. He has had the opportunity to play with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Poncho Sanchez, Orquesta Los Van Van, and the “Conga Kings”: Francisco Aguabella, Carlos “Patáto” Valdez, Armondo Peraza, and Milton Cardona, as well as with Jon Faddis, Tootie Heath, Jerry Gonzalez, Trini Lopez, Nestor Torres, and Bobi Cespedes. In addition, Javier recorded on 3 Grammy nominated albums with John Santos and the Machete Ensemble/ Folklorico Kindembo and continues to create and teach music in the San Francisco Bay Area.