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Carnaval! With Azul Latino At Club Fox

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Courtesy Walter Atkins

By Walter Atkins
October 19, 2022
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Carnaval! with surprise guest Tony Lindsay, along with Azul Latino, spearheaded a superb presentation of Latin rock, dancing and family commemorations at Redwood City's Club Fox. As the SF Bay Area prepares for the upcoming Day Of The Dead, this moment was best described as Night Of The Living Family Celebrations.

Carnaval! with Azul Latino
Club Fox
Redwood City, CA
October 1, 2022

Redwood City 's Club Fox served up a Saturday fantastic night of music, dancing and observances. The Fox featured the searing Latin rock music of

Carnaval

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Carnaval, one of the popular

Santana

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Santana tribute bands in the San Francisco Bay Area along with local favorite Azul Latino (Blue Latino). The stage had a few festive skull decorations in anticipation of the massive Mexican holiday D��a de los Muertos (Day Of The Dead). Besides its usual weekly mix of sonic delights, the club also hosted two birthday parties that evening, and one of them shared sandwiches and birthday cake with the regular patrons. It was a nice finishing touch to a pleasurable time at the San Francisco Peninsula spot.

The Azul Latino members were: Ernie Nolasco: lead guitarist & band leader, Arturo Carrillo: congas, Maria Mojica: lead vocalist; Andrue Bohn: bass; Frankie Cortez; drums; Gladys Lim: keyboards; Susann Cortez: percussion/bass. Azul Latino's set list included: "A Dios Le Pido," "Pa Ti No Estoy, "De Musica Ligera," "Lamento Boliviano," Clavado En Un Bar,""Triste "Cancion De Amor," "Sin "Documentos,""Me Vale,""Sabor Chocolate," "El Sol No Regesa," "Bailando,"and "La Flaca."

Azul Latino ignited its session with "A Dios Le Pido" (I Pray To God). People slowly started making their way to the large dance floor as the rhythmic music filled the venue. The lively Mojica sang and patrolled the stage with an effervescent style that was engaging and fun for all. The band played with passion and zest. Rudy Ramirez, a professor at the nearby College of San Mateo (CSM) and also the home of San Francisco Bay Area FM station KCSM the Jazz 91, commented on the group. Azul Latino vocalist Mojica is originally from Columbia and one of his former students. He also discussed his involvement as one of the group co-founders, and the early days of the band's development and progression. He also liked how "they put together the Latin rock sound." Azul Latino closed out its set with "La Flaca" (The Skinny One).

Besides the other two families and friends observing birthdays at the Fox, it was also an immensely memorable night for a third family. According to Dr. Bernando Gonzalez with LRI, "This show was about the Nolasco Brothers. Friends and family were in abundance at this show to view the brothers in each band, as well as coming together with brother Robert to join Ernie and Vic on stage. The song with all the brothers was "La Flaca." Seeing the brothers playing made it a genuine family affair.

Vickie, one of the club bartenders shared her opinion on the mid-Peninsula venue's music. "I was just saying that the [weekly] Blues Jam is one of my favorites here." After the intermission, Carnaval! took the stage with: Bernie Bersamina: Keyboards,; Ray Uribe: bass: Jerry Navarro; guitar; Victor Nolasco: timbales; Eddy Jimenez: congas; Vern Eakin: drums; Carlos Elizalde: lead vocals. Its set list included many quintessential Santana tracks covering decades of global Latin rock music and some jazz fusion: "Let The Children Play," "Corazon," "Dance Sister Dance," "She's Not There," "Jingo," "No One To Depend On," "Gitano," "Europa," "Maria Maria," "Esperando," "Oye Como Va," Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen."

"Carnaval" launched the band and it was followed by "Let The Children Play." Deep into its stanza, Carnaval! erupted into "Dance Sister Dance" which had all available spaces overflowing with dancers and movement. The rhythm section reigned supreme by keeping the beat solid and cohesive for lead singer Elizalde. The floor had a life of its own as folks swayed and moved to the familiar polyrhythms of the evening. Towards the end, Carnaval! performed

Peter Green

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Green's (

Fleetwood Mac

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Fleetwood Mac) "Black Magic Woman" which flowed into

Gabor Szabo

guitar
1936 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Gabor Szabo's "Gypsy Queen." This timeless track was the centerpiece of Santana's chart topping Abraxas album (Columbia 1970).As a surprise present to the birthday revelers, eleven-time Grammy-winning vocalist

Tony Lindsay

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Lindsay (Santana) sat in with Carnaval! With a packed floor and balcony, they closed out the exuberant evening with the

Timmy Thomas

" data-original-title="" title="">Timmy Thomas hit "Why Can't We Live Together" and another Santana gem "Open Invitation."

Carnaval! with surprise guest Tony Lindsay, along with Azul Latino, spearheaded a superb presentation of Latin rock, dancing and family commemorations at Redwood City's Club Fox. As the San Francisco Bay Area prepares for the Day Of The Dead, this moment was best described as Night of The Living Family Celebrations.

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