Rhythm of salsa comes to the valley

Tumbao is a good feeling. When dancers have tumbao, they move with grace and ease. When musicians have tumbao, they feel the groove of the music, and know how to enjoy playing with it.

Tumbao is a Spanish expression for how free it feels to love passionate Latin music. But it’s more than that.  It’s also the name of the rhythmic figure played by the bass and the conga. And according to trumpeter Thomas Marriott, “It’s the foundation, the thing that is fundamental to music and to life.”

Tumbao is also the short name for an excellent Seattle sextet that is traveling here to perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The full name of the band is Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao.

Listening to Cascante sing is to feel tumbao. Born in Costa Rica, his love for the music radiates on stage as he easily connects with the audience. Cascante also sings with the Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. 

Havana born Pedro Vargas (congas) grew up in Cuba and brings a rich Cuban influence to Tumbao. Before pianist Julio Jáuregui developed his tasteful and outstanding piano skills, he studied percussion. Jeff Busch is an exuberant drummer/percussionist, vocalist and composer. Dean Schmidt is one of the most sought-after bassists in the Northwest. And Maynard Ferguson said of Marriott, “Thomas Marriott is a truly great jazz trumpet player.”

“There are several things you need to do before you start to listen to this CD,” said Jim McElroy of JazzReview.com of Tumbao’s album “Recuerdos:”

“First move all the furniture against the walls, you’ll need dance room; second invite the neighbors (joy such as this should be spread around); third turn up the volume (those that don’t fit in the house still need to hear this); and lastly put the disc on repeat mode (once is definitely not enough).”

There will be free salsa dance lessons from Nelson Barahona of Viva La Salsa every night for ticket holders starting at 6:30 p.m. until Tumbao begins to play at 8 p.m. Dancers are welcome as are listeners and observers.

Whether you come to dance, or just to listen, you can’t help but feel the joy of this Latin Jazz band.

Tumbao will be performing:

• Friday, June 26, 8 p.m., $25: O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish
• Saturday, June 27, 8 p.m., $20: Eagles Club, Kalispell
• Sunday, June 28, 8 p.m., $25: BruMar Estate, Bigfork

For tickets and more information, visit www.SingerandSimpson.com or call 406-730-2817.

These events are sponsored by Don “K” Subaru and brought to you by Singer and Simpson Productions. Thank you to additional supporters the Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell Grand Hotel and Joel Pemberton of Edward Jones in Whitefish.

Miriam Singer is co-owner of Singer and Simpson Productions. She can be reached at info@singerandsimpson.com.