DESCRIPTION:
The LJYE Annual Alumni concert and fundraiser for La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, California. Lagrimas Negras with solists Kai Stritter on Sax, Anthony Del Barrio on Piano, Julie Mendoza Lead Vocal and Diana Contreras Coro. The musical director of the group is Dr. John Calloway who is also a founder of the group along with Co-Directors Sylvia Ramirez and Arturo Riera.

The Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco, or LJYE, is a performing group of talented musicians ages ten to 18. Their repertoire features Latin jazz classics and original compositions at a level that has landed them gigs at the San Jose Jazz Festival, the KCSM Jazz Festival, KGO Radio, Yerba Buena Gardens, SF Museum of Modern Art, Paramount's Great America and the world-renown jazz club, Yoshi's. The LJYE has shared the stage with legendary performers such as the great Cuban bassist, Cachao; piano virtuoso Chuchito Valdes; Latin jazz heavyweights Poncho Sanchez and Clare Fischer; and the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The LJYE mission is to preserve the traditions of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music by teaching it to youth and to create role models for aspiring student musicians.

Video by Arturo Riera courtesy of www.misterlatinjazz.com Recorded January 8, 2011 at La Pena.