Phil "Cachi" Valez
Cachi and His Salsa Jazz Ensemble, a five-to-ten-piece Latin-influenced band fronted by prolific percussionist Phil “Cachi” Valez, will be the headline entertainment at miamiartzine.com’s 9th Anniversary Fundraiser .
The event is being held Monday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. The performance by Cachi and His Salsa Jazz Ensemble at the fundraiser is courtesy of KCC Productions.
Cachi and his Salsa Jazz Ensemble have a distinctive, smooth sound that is best described as a blend of Salsa Dura, Latin Jazz and Salsa Swing.
Frontman and Percussionist Cachi was taught percussion by his father, iconic percussionist Phil “Pipo” Valez, at the age of six. Cachi initially sang back-up vocals with his father and had little interest in percussions. “Let the truth be told, as a kid I really didn’t want to play …” he told miamiartzine.com last year. But the influence still got to him. With the influence of Pipo and also Ismael Maranda, Saoco and the TNT band – it led him to add Congas, Bongos and Timbales to his instrumental prowess and, in the process, practically invent a new genre. Since then, he's built an impressive resume brimming with a litany of Percussionist and Salsa legends.
He’s either performed or recorded with Grammy-Winner Marlow Rosado y la Riquena, FANIA ALL STARS Legends, Willie Colon, Yomo Toro, Grammy-Winning Percussionist Chino Nunez, two-time Grammy-Nominated Percussionist Sammy Figueroa, Lily Vasquez, Angel Lopez of "Son by Four," Frankie Negron, Alfredo De La Fe, Julio Voltio, and Grupo Latin Vibe, to name just a few.
Cachi has also reached the pinnacle of any musician's dream — playing Carnegie Hall. He’s also performed at Lincoln Center's Merkin Concert Hall Theater, Cami Hall, Palladium, Studio 54, Roxy's, CBGB's, SOB’s, The Copacabana, 116th Street Festival, Univision Television, Telemundo Television, The Knitting Factory, The Laugh Factory, Nuyorican Poets Café INew York and Puerto Rico, there’s no shortage of impressive venues and band mates.
Cachi and his Salsa Jazz Ensemble is the percussionist's latest experiment-turned-success. His ensemble ranges from five-to-ten musicians, but Cachi’s initial hope was to somehow create his own unique brand of Salsa Dura with that Latin Jazz twist – and that dream has evolved into a unique, dance-driving combination of all of Cachi’s favorites. He told miamiartzine.com just last year: “I enjoy taking Jazz standards and adding a Salsa twist to give the song more [Latin] swing.”
If you can’t help but wonder what this mix of genres sounds like, and want to hear it to believe it, bring your dancing shoes.
The miamiartzine.com event is open to the public and features a silent auction and reception with entrée and dessert crepes by CrêpeMaker®, donated by Christopher Hoffman and Maria Suñe. Guests will also enjoy an art show collection from artists Naomi Cordero and Sid Daniels. A dance installation will be presented by Brigitte Cormier Dance Troupe, Alternative Realities: Return of the Fairies.
Libations will be provided by Desperados Blended Lager, "a one of a kind beverage crafted at the crossroads of beer and spirits techniques. It is blended with tequila barrel aged lager with notes of lemon flavor to provide a refreshing and smooth taste."
The event will also serve as an opportunity for miamiartzine.com to recognize arts supporters and organizations for their commitment and dedication to the South Florida Art Scene. The award recipients are Merle Weiss and Art Center/South Florida.
miamiartzine.com's ninth Anniversary Party takes place on Monday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 pm at the Miami Beach Bontanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach.
Contribution in advance is $25 for the reception or $30 at the door. For further information, please call (305) 535-2448 or visit www.miamiartzine.com or www.facebook.com/miamiartzine
Click here to watch a video of Cachi and His Salsa Jazz Ensemble perform:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaBd4qmk8vQ
