Post-holiday jazz heads to Bend

Published 1:10 am Saturday, December 26, 2015

Submitted photoAfro-Cuban band the Bobby Torres Ensemble performs at 5 and 8:15 p.m. today at The Oxford Hotel as part of the Jazz at The Oxford series.

Have yourself a jazzy little (day after) Christmas with two longstanding organizations working to keep the genre alive in Central Oregon. Both Jazz at Joe’s and Jazz at the Oxford will swing back into gear for post-holiday concerts that run the gamut from bluesy soul to Latin funk.

First up: Jazz at Joe’s — spearheaded by Just Joe’s Music store owner Joe Rohrbacher since 2008 — will host Portland’s King Louie-Renato Caranto Trio at Cascades Theatre on Saturday. The trio, led by Hammond B-3 organist (and Curtis Salgado collaborator) Louis “King Louie” Pain and Philippines-born saxophonist Caranto (known for playing with Grammy-winning bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding), is tailored for small, intimate settings like this one. Expect a soulful take on both traditional and original material, anchored by some of Portland’s most notorious players.

Meanwhile, the Oxford Hotel will welcome the Bobby Torres Ensemble for three sets Saturday (at 5 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.) and Sunday (at 5 p.m.). Percussionist Torres, known for touring work with Joe Cocker and Tom Jones, has spent the last 25 years building his band’s reputation as one of Portland’s premiere Latin ensembles. From salsa to cha-cha to swing, this big band covers it all.

King Louie-Renato Caranto Trio; 7 p.m. Saturday; sold out; Cascades Theatre, 148 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend; www.jazzatjoes.com or 541-977-5637.

Bobby Torres Ensemble; 5 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday; $42 plus fees in advance (5 p.m. Saturday show sold out); Jazz at the Oxford, The Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend; www.jazzattheoxford.com or 541-382-8436. —Brian McElhiney

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