Learn more about the talented musicians who will be playing at Celebration Weekend 2017

Andre Thierry

GRAMMY nominated Andre Thierry has already been deemed a legend. He is an exceptional multi-dimensional musician who has a finely-honed ability to merge his Accordion Soul sounds with blues, R&B, jazz, Latin and rock. His musical mastery enables him to create a unique sound for his and future generations while staying true to the past. Come on out for a guaranteed good time!

Fito Reinoso

Since the early 1980’s, Fito Reinoso has made the Bay Area his home and is the only Cuban born based sonero in the area performing a variety of styles, from the most recent urban Havana grooves to “timba” to the classic son and cha-cha-cha, all with a voice reminiscent of the late and beloved legendary Cuban singer, Beny Moré. His dynamic personality and showmanship has led him to collaborate with some of the top musicians who reside in Cuba and the United States. Fito Reinoso has played with Cuban legends such as Francisco Aguabella, Armando Peraza, Carlos “Patato” Valdez and Israel Lopez “Cachao”. Fito Reinoso has never lost his strong ties with Cuba, which transpire in his vibrant and modern repertoire.

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are internationally recognized as one of the top bands in the world performing classic American jazz, swing, blues and R&B music from the mid-twentieth century. Lavay and her group have toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada. They have performed at many of the top festivals, concert venues and nightclubs in the USA, headlining at the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball (the official Oscars after-party) in Hollywood and Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City for a special New Year’s Eve show. Whether singing her own compositions or drawing on a large repertoire of classics, Lavay and her all-star 7-piece band bake up an instant recipe for dancing and good times.

Sang Matiz

Sang Matiz has been performing for 7 years, fusing energetic World and Afro-Brazilian/Peruvian beats with Flamenco fingerpicking, adding touches of contemporary rhythms such as Pop, Jazz, and Funk. In August 2015, they were chosen and honored to open for the legendary Cuban band, Buena Vista Social Club Orchestra for their final “Adios Tour,” followed by an invitation to share a stage with internationally renowned, LA-based band, Ozomatli. In light of Sang Matiz’s continued success and growing popularity, they will be joining forces with the eclectic and distinguished Gipsy Kings in May of 2017. The band encompasses talented musicians who have won Grammy Awards as well as those who have garnered various local accolades. Thanks to a grant awarded by The California Arts Council Endowment for the Arts and The San Francisco Arts Commission for Cultural Equity, they released the album, “Ship It!” and are currently in production of their second album.

Steve Lucky and Miss Carmen Getit

Called “instant crowd favorites” by the San Francisco Blues Festival, Steve Lucky and Miss Carmen Getit really shine before a live audience, bringing an intense energy and sheer personal magnetism to the stage, exercising wit in a continuous battle of the sexes. They’ve earned their reputation as captivating entertainers with “superior musicianship”, engaging audiences at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens Greece, the San Francisco Blues Festival and many venues around the world.

Stompy Jones

Little David Rose’s thumpin’ stand-up bass, the double-shuffle drumming of Lee Beary, and the bounce piano of Scott Lawrence provide the rhythmic foundation of the band’s jump style. Riffing on top is the trumpet sound of Robert Dehlinger and Jeff “Erv” Ervin on the saxophone. These two fellas create the fireworks of vintage rhythm and blues. The charming Glen Earl Brown Jr. on vocals and have become a trademark of Stompy Jones.

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