If you enjoy a fusion of Latin, jazz, blues and funk, you should definitely check out Chévere at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival on July 19th and 20th at Dawes Park.
This Chicago-based ensemble has been performing in the Midwest for over 30 years, and still manages to create a feel of spontaneity during each of their live concert performances.
In a recent performance at the Green Mill Lounge (one of Chévere’s regular venues), Brad Walseth proclaims that “the band's fiery, joyous, energy-filled playing combined the technical precision of the concert hall with the loose, relaxed feel of a neighborhood jam session…”
Chévere consists of nine extremely talented musicians, all of who have contributed their talent and passion for music to other ensembles including Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and the Lyle Mays Quartet. Howard Levy, the music director of the band, has won a Grammy award and maintains Chévere’s record label, Balkan Samba. The mastermind behind this extraordinary group is Alejo Poveda, who founded Chévere originally as a percussion ensemble in 1977 shortly after settling down in Chicago. Since then, Poveda has maintained a tight-knit band that has, for the most part, stayed together for over 20 years.
This talented group began recording for their first full-length album in 1993, but a busy schedule filled with weekend gigs did not allow for the full track listing to be completed until 2003. “Secret Dream,” receiving its name from one of the featured tracks composed by electric guitarist and Chévere member Ernie Denov, was finally released in 2005. Neil Tesser from the Chicago Reader believed that “[Secret Dream] came pretty close to capturing the charismatic energy Chévere brings to the stage.” The good news is that they are currently planning to release a second CD including a live concert performance!
Chévere’s next performance will be on July 12th at the Glen Ellyn Jazz Festival, so be sure to get your afro-cuban infused music fix before heading down to the Ethnic Arts Festival the following weekend!
This is Kristina signing out…
If you enjoy a fusion of Latin, jazz, blues and funk, you should definitely check out Chévere at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival on July 19th and 20th at 
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