Caribbean Music and Dance Party

The vibrant sounds of the Caribbean are guaranteed to fill every corner of Paddington Town Hall on Friday 1 November when the venue becomes a tropical nightclub for the night.

Headlining the event will be the acclaimed Cuban pianist and composer Elio Villafranca along with an all star ensemble of Australia’s leading jazz and Latin musicians. Add to this the dynamic Raíces (Roots) Dance Ensemble and DJ AV el Cubano and you have all the ingredients of a classic Caribbean-style music and dance party!

Adrian Medina and his dance ensemble of boys (Cruz Vazquez Borges, Moro and more) is set to sizzle as they open the party at 7:30pm with dancing, chanting and percussion. They'll also make appearances throughout Elio Villafranca's launch of his latest album 'Standing by the Crossroads' at 8:15pm and keep dancing when DJ AV el Cubano plays the best salsa, timba, son and bachata in Sydney from 9:45pm.

Musicians include: Tom Avgenicos – trumpet, Gai Bryant – saxophones/flute, Craig Walters – tenor sax, Harry Birch – bass, Ryan Menezes – drum kit, Kent Windress – percussion & batá.

If you feel like sipping Peruvian-inspired cocktails while you listen and/or dance you can! Tequila Mockingbird will be manning the bar for this event. Yes, there is a dedicated dance floor and nightclub style seating. We are hoping to confirm soon that a new contemporary Mexican food truck will be at the event too!

Paddington Town Hall Friday 1 November at 7:30pm

tix at: https://events.humanitix.com/caribbean-party-with-elio-villafranca

Video links:

• Chick Corea Caribbean Experience

• Standing by the Crossroads

Standing by the Crossroads is a seminal work showcasing the role of Congolese music and ritual in the development of Cuban music. Downbeat Magazine named ‘Standing by the Crossroads’ as one of the top Afro-Latin jazz releases of 2023.

Bio for Elio Villafranca

Since his debut album “Incantations/Encantaciones” ranked amongst the Top 50 albums of 2003 (JazzTimes), the Steinway artist and duel Grammy nominee has received a multitude of accolades including Jazz Corner’s Pianist of the Year (2008), BMI Jazz Guaranty Award (2008) and the NFA/Heineken Green Ribbon Master Artist Music Grant (2008), Downbeat Critics’ Poll Rising Stars Keyboard (2018), the Sunshine Award, the first Jazz at Lincoln Center Millennium Swing! Award and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient (2021).

In 2010 he was nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Album (2010) and in 2014 received the Millennium Swing Award at Jazz at the Lincoln Centre. In 2017 he was among five pianists chosen by Chick Corea to perform at the first Chick Corea Jazz Festival, also receiving the Sunshine Award which recognises excellence in the performing arts, education, science, and sports of the various Caribbean countries, South America, Central America, and Africa and is a Guggenheim recipient (2021).

Villafranca has led his groups and collaborated with leading jazz and Latin jazz artists including: Pat Martino, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Paquito D'Rivera, Chick Corea, Jon Faddis, and Johnny Pacheco.