A Night In L.A. (Translucent Blue - 180 grams)

Hard-hitting conguero Johnny Blas has performed and recorded jazz and Latin music for over thirty years. Charismatic and intense, he is a seasoned, innovative performer who exhibits a sound that is stylish and funky—an infusion of Latin funk and jazz with an Afro-Caribbean groove. A New York native, Blas is influenced by the music of Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, Dizzie Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Armando Peraza. With his Afro-Libre Orchestra, he puts on a fierce, dynamic show, displaying passionate energy, flashy solos, and enough heat to melt asphalt, while also revealing more restrained interior lines. In addition to his work as a percussionist, Blas is also a band leader, saxophonist, and composer. His original arrangements have been showcased on six Latin jazz recordings and earned critical praise in the Latin and jazz music press.