At New Jersey Performing Arts Center....

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT 5PM
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Tito Puente, Jr. Orchestra
This exclusive double-bill brings together two of today’s standard bearers of Afro-Cuban music. The all-star Spanish Harlem Orchestra, comprised of veterans of New York’s most legendary salsa outfits, is led by world-renowned pianist-arranger Oscar Hernández. Their 2008 CD, United We Swing, just earned them a second Grammy for “Best Salsa Album.” Every time he steps on stage, Tito Puente Jr. proudly walks in his father’s footsteps.

That legendary Puente fire is sure to heat-up NJPAC when Puente, Jr. and his orchestra make their NJPAC debut with a program drawn from In My Father's Shoes, their recent CD of pure, classic Puente. Prior to the performance, ticket-holders are invited to a free Prelude in the Prudential Hall lobby, featuring live music courtesy of Newark-born vocalist and songwriter Aliah Sheffield, an alumna of NJPAC’s Summer Youth Performance Workshop who has since studied at the Berklee College of Music, and Newark-born classical guitarist Jorge Gavidia, a recipient of The Star-Ledger Scholarship for the Performing Arts, currently a student at NYC’s Mannes College of Music.

This evening's Prelude will also include a Made by Hand art and craft exhibit and sale, featuring work by Thomasina Hyland (sleeved kaftans), Amy Medford and Leonid Siveriver (jewelry and ceramics), Nick Vaverko (leather accessories and jewelry), and Maya Hilario and Veni Evangelista (leather handbags, belts and accessories). Part of this weekend's ¡Encuentro! Latin Jazz Festival.