Mango Blue brings eclectic mix to Latin American Festival

By Richard Duckett TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
The last Mango Blue appearance at the Latin American Festival in Worcester saw many people in attendance “digging it immensely,” the band’s founder Alex Alvear recalled of the reception to its mix of Afro-Latin, jazz, funk, rhythm and blues and world music. 

On the other hand, there were others “half-staring, not knowing what was going on,” he acknowledged. Alvear understands. “It’s not straight ahead salsa/merengue, or the popular commercial music you hear on the radio,” he said of Mango Blue’s sound. However, “No one booed,” he said with good humor. “They appreciated it.” 

That was “a long time ago. At least 10 years.” Now the eight-member Mango Blue is returning to the Latin American Festival with a performance scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday on Worcester Common behind City Hall. The group is part of an all-day line-up of musical talent running from 12:15 to 9 p.m. 

“Yeah, it’s been a while. It’ll be interesting to see how we’re received,” Alvear said. “We always welcome these opportunities. It puts the music to the test.” 

Mango Blue, consisting of Boston area musicians and including singer, percussionist and composer Manolo Mairena of Worcester (who first saw the band at the festival here and approached Alvear afterward) had plenty of fans 10 years ago, and has lots now. “I’ve been a fan of Mango Blues for years,” said Carmen D. “Dolly” Vazquez. “They are awesome.” Vazquez is the festival’s coordinator, and also remembers the band’s first appearance. 

“Hip music to listen, great music to dance,” is another description that has come Mango Blue’s way. 

Alvear said of a Mango Blue performance, “If you like world music, it’s going to take you many places.” 

If matters unfold a certain way, however, Saturday’s appearance may be one of the last opportunities people in the region will have to see Mango Blue perform, at least for quite a while. 

Alvear, 50, is from Ecuador but has lived in the Boston area mostly since the late 1980s. But he’s going home, with plans to resettle in Ecuador permanently, probably in October. 

What will that mean for Mango Blue? 

“I’m hoping it’s not one of the last gigs we do in the region, but it could be. It’s a time of transition,” Alvear said. READ MORE ON....http://www.telegram.com/article/20120817/NEWS/108179729/1011/rss01&source=rss