The Saúl Sierra Quintet: “Caminos” at YBG Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens – San Francisco, CA

Like a strand of DNA, every rhythm tells a story. In the hands of Mexican-born bass master Saúl Sierra, an enthralling array of rhythms reveal the deep African diaspora currents running through the Americas. Written and arranged by Sierra for his all-star Bay Area quintet featuring pianist Marco Diaz, saxophonist Charlie Gurke, and percussionists Ahkeel Mestayer and Julio Pérez, Caminos is an eight-part Pan-American jazz suite celebrating the diverse musical styles of the Americas. Sierra also designed the piece to showcase the richness of the Bay Area music community. Centered around a single musical theme arranged in a succession of styles, Caminos encompasses Mexican son jarocho, Cuban changüi, Puerto Rican plena, Venezuelan merengue, New Orleans jazz, Brazilian samba, Uruguayan candombe and Peruvian landó and festejo. Each song features a special guest, including John Santos, Jackeline Rago, Braulio Barrera, Manuel Constancio, Edgardo Cambon, Brian Rice, Claudio Vega, Anthony Blea, Lolis Garcia, and Kyla Danish and Jorge Liceaga. This afternoon, every road leads to Yerba Buena Gardens.

Supported in part by Yerba Buena Partnership.