Jazz Music Series: Raíces Latin Jazz

Jazz Music Series presents: Raíces Latin Jazz

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2022

Doors: 5PM for Golden Hour 

Showtime: 7:30PM 

Tickets: $20 - General Admission 

‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door

About: 

Raíces pays homage to Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria and other originators of Latin Jazz and also performs original music performed in the same genre. The quintet was modeled after the famous Cal Tjader Quintet of the 1950’s & 60’s by Chicago percussionist Rubén Alvarez and is currently led by vibraphonist Joe Sonnefeldt. Raíces is celebrating the recent release of their self-titled debut CD of original compositions. Since their post-pandemic return, they’ve played to packed houses at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub and enthusiastic audiences at several area music festivals. In addition to Sonnefeldt on vibes, the band consists of Stuart Seale on piano, Cuban-born bassist Eric Ferrer, Chicago stalwart Bobby Delgado on timbales, and Jorge Leal on congas.

Raíces’ sets are always exciting as they put their modern, Chicago-influenced stamp on the Latin Jazz classics of artists such as Tjader, Santamaria, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera and others. And the original compositions written by Ruben Alvarez and other members of the group blend seamlessly with the standards they perform.

Vibraphonist Joe Sonnefeldt has played for decades around Chicago with leaders including Joe Rendon, Jose Valdez and Marshall Vente, and performed or recorded with numerous local bands including Poi Dog Pondering and Ten City. Pianist Stuart Seale has been based in Chicago since 2008 and met percussionist Ruben Alvarez, while performing with his own group, “Charangueo” which Stuart started in 2013 with bassist Rene Avila. Stuart joined Raíces in 2018. Bobby Delgado (timbales) is a self-taught hand percussionist of Puerto Rican descent. He’s influenced by Afro-Cuban and Caribbean styles and the music Puerto Rico. Ruben asked Bobby to join Raíces as timbalero in 2019 and since Ruben’s retirement, Bobby has become the driving force of the percussion section and a featured soloist. Eric Wilman Ferrer Yard (bass) was born in Cuba and plays both the bass guitar and guitar. After studying music in Cuba, he began his musical career with multiple bands and orchestras. In 2019 Ruben invited Eric to sit in with Raíces at one of their monthly Paladar gigs. Soon after that first meeting, Ruben asked Eric to join Raíces as the group’s bassist, adding his unique Cuban style and passion to their sound. Conguero Jorge Leal was born in Mexico City and raised on the south side of Chicago. He attended Columbia College in Chicago where he met and studied with Ruben Alvarez. In 2017 Ruben invited Jorge to join Raíces as timbalero. Upon Ruben’s retirement, Jorge has taken over as conguero and hopes to honor Ruben’s legacy in that chair. He currently plays congas with Joaquin Garcia's “Tematica” and a number of other Afro-Latin ensembles around Chicago.

Golden Hour at Epiphany:

Stop by Epiphany for our live music series concerts, and be sure to hit Golden Hour before-hand for drinks and lite-bites! Doors open at 5pm Wednesday - Saturday for Golden Hour with 1/2 priced bottles of wine and other specials!

Come early to EXPLORE and DISCOVER your own EPIPHANY… our art galleries are open and there is free entertainment before the show!

Full Concert Calendar Here

Golden Hour Menu + Music Schedule

Valet parking is now available! $15 per car, service located on Ashland Ave. in front of the venue. 

• No premiums available 

Service is available at all times during hours of operation
* See website for hours of operation