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| First Concert of Luckman Series: Trumpeter Bobby Shew will make a special guest appearance with the ensemble, which was formed by pianist Paul De Castro to play salsa-influenced jazz. The concert will be held outdoors from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the Luckman's festive Street of the Arts. De Castro, assistant professor of music at Cal State L.A., is producing the series for the Luckman. Admission is free. Rhubumba - one of the newest additions to the thriving Latin Jazz scene in Los Angeles - consists of Jeff Benedict on saxes, Jacques Voyemont on trombone, David Askren on guitar, Paul De Castro on piano, Rigoberto Lopez on bass, Jimmy Branley on drums, and Bob Fernandez on percussion. Benedict, a professor of music at Cal State L.A., is currently the director of Jazz Studies at the University. Special guest, virtuoso trumpeter/flugelhornist Bobby Shew is best known as a fiery bebop trumpet innovator and constantly in-demand soloist and session artist. For over three decades he has performed and recorded with the elite of the jazz world including Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, and Oliver Nelson. In addition to his prolific recording schedule, Shew has become one of the jazz community's most in-demand clinicians and concert soloists playing with singers such as Della Reese, Robert Goulet, Tom Jones, and Paul Anka. Although his name has not been associated with Latin music, Shew has long nurtured a strong appetite for the music and has engaged in a life-long pursuit of the information about the myriad of intricate styles associated with Latin jazz and salsa dance music. According to De Castro, "Bobby Shew is one of the finest trumpet players in the world. His technique, musicianship and musicality place him among the greatest musicians in the business. Besides all that, Bobby has Tumbao [loose translation: rhythm]." "This is the beginning of what could become the most important free Latin Jazz Series on the West Coast," states De Castro. "Thanks to the support of the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, the East Los Angeles and Cal State L.A. communities will be able to enjoy some of the finest music in Los Angeles." The new Latin Jazz on the Street of the Arts Series is planned to highlight top local Latin jazz artists in free outdoor concerts under the stars on the Street of the Arts, in front of the Luckman Theatre, spring through autumn 2001. WHAT:
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