For almost two hours, the public at the Mella Theater held their breath to escapar ni el más leve de los sonidos o los delicados gestos de estos maestros de proverbial talento.

The main course of the night came when Chucho Valdes’ Mensajeros Afrocubanos and Masalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) took to the stage to combine Latin jazz and the classic jazz that came out of the streets of New Orleans and the clubs of New York.

Earlier, Valdes had said music is a universal language belongs to all and serves to bring cultures together and make people happy.

A selection of pieces with exquisite arrangements was played by JLCO and its guests as a gift from New York with a touch of Cuba.

The concert featured other talents of the Cuban music like flute player Orlando Valle “Maraca” who played Almendra by Cuban Abelardo Vazquez accompanied by the JLCO making a great fusion of jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms and danzon.

Cuban showman Bobby Carcasses showed his versatility as he sang and danced to “Cómo fue”, a bolero made popular by Benny More in the 1950s. 

“Siboney” by Ernesto Lecuona was revived by the instruments of the JLCO and arrangements by bass player Carlos Henriquez.