Thursday: “Machito” Free at Historical Society

From Logan Circle News:

• What: Film, “Machito”; Director Carlos Ortiz; 58 minutes. (Age 14 to Adults.)
• When: Thursday, September 18 at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Where: At Historical Society of Washington, DC, at 801 K St. NW at Mt. Vernon Square.
• Admission: Free.
• Reservations: [email protected] or (202) 383-1828

Musicians Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, and Ray Barreto share fond memories of the scene while paying tribute to Machito. Warm and “simpatico,” Machito laughs, reminisces, and plays some of the hottest Latin Jazz on film anywhere.

In a career that spanned half a century, Cuban bandleader Frank “Machito” Grillo embodied Latin Jazz and influenced several generations of musicians, contributing to a cultural explosion on the international music scene. Machito weaves together vintage film clips and recordings, Hollywood production numbers, and one-of-a-kind street performances from 1920s Cuba to contemporary New York. Sensational shows at such hot spots as the Cotton Club highlight the golden era of Latin Jazz in the 40s and 50s.

“Hugely informative, with astonishing archival footage.”–John Pareles, “New York Times”