The Ray Vega Latin Jazz Quintet and Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache will be performing a tribute concert to the recently departed Ray Barretto. The concert is produced by Sugarloaf Music. A Tribute to Ray Barretto will be held Friday, June 2nd at 8 pm and Saturday, June 3rd 8 pm at the Pavilion at the Lycian Center, 1351 Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf, NY. Admission: $20 advance ticket, $25 at the door, $30 for Both Concerts. For reservations call: 845-986-6463.

Ray Barretto, who was a long-time resident of Warwick, New York, died in February at the age of 76. He was one of the pioneers of both the Latin jazz and salsa movements. As a master percussionist he can be heard on over 50 albums in a career spanning more that 40 years. He recorded and performed with all the greats of latin and jazz music’s including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, The Fania All-Stars, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Red Garland and Cannonball Adderley to name a few.

In 1961 he had a hit record with "El Watusi" and received a Grammy in 1990 for his collaboration with the singer Celia Cruz. Just before he passed Barretto was honored as one of the National Endowment for the Arts Masters of 2006 at the Jazz Educators Conference in New York City. This award is considered to be the nation’s highest jazz honor. Also known as “Hard Hands” Barretto will be remembered for is powerful conga playing that could bring crowds to their feet screaming for more.

His musical legacy lives on through his many studio and live recordings and also through his son, Chris Barretto, who plays the alto saxophone, and will be featured at the Saturday night tribute along with the drummer Bobby Sanabria. Ray’s final recording, "Standards Rican-ditioned", will be released this August on the Zoho label and will also feature the debut of Chris Barretto.

[Photo: Bobby Sanabria].