HAVANA REUNION with Jimmy Branly, Carlitos del Puerto and Iván "Melón" Lewis at The Additon

Jimmy Branly, Drums
Carlitos del Puerto, Bass
Iván "Melón" Lewis, Piano

Monday, Dec 16

8pm $24

"This trio is very special for me. A dream come true. When you leave Cuba you think that many things will stay behind, but I'm lucky. Carlitos has been in LA, and I love Melón. The Cuban music is in his blood. Many people around the world today say, 'let's do that Melón thing.'"

~Jimmy Branly


For the first time in almost 20 years, these three Cuban musicians will play together again for a special, one-time show at Yoshi's. Havana Reunion is a unique opportunity to witness musical history being made and to share the joy and love that Jimmy, Carlitos, and Melón feel for each other, for the music, and for the SF Bay Area. ...

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Jimmy Branly, Drums
Carlitos del Puerto, Bass
Iván "Melón" Lewis, Piano

Monday, Dec 16

8pm $24

"This trio is very special for me. A dream come true. When you leave Cuba you think that many things will stay behind, but I'm lucky. Carlitos has been in LA, and I love Melón. The Cuban music is in his blood. Many people around the world today say, 'let's do that Melón thing.'"

~Jimmy Branly


For the first time in almost 20 years, these three Cuban musicians will play together again for a special, one-time show at Yoshi's. Havana Reunion is a unique opportunity to witness musical history being made and to share the joy and love that Jimmy, Carlitos, and Melón feel for each other, for the music, and for the SF Bay Area.

About the Musicians

All born in Cuba, receiving their musical education there, playing together and going on to international careers, Branly, del Puerto and Lewis have played with the finest jazz musicians around the globe - Wynton Marsalis, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Issac Delgado, Ernán Lopéz-Nussa, our own Rebeca Mauleón, Chucho Valdés, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. One of Carlitos' stated goals is: "...to create a unique experience, to be creative, and for both fellow musicians and my audience to feel joy in the music." At 17, Carlitos was recognized as the Best New Jazz Artist at the International Jazz Festival in Havana. He currently tours with Chick Corea.

They last played together in the mid-90s before departing Havana for the U.S. and Spain. All have toured internationally and participated in the most remarkable jazz festivals around the world. They're all educators and Melòn has offered workshops based on the well-acclaimed Beyond Salsa books on Cuban music by author Kevin Moore. He is featured in Volumes 6-9, of the Beyond Salsa Piano series. Travesia (Universal), 2012 edition, Lewis' first album, won two Cubadisco Awards for best Latin jazz album and best jazz production.

This will be an historic night of jazz with many wonderful musical surprises as Branly, del Puerto, and Lewis renew their deep personal and musical friendship. Yoshi's SF opens the club on a Monday night just for this event.

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