Chévere profile picture

Chévere

Hey, Joe

About Me

Chévere is Chicago’s leading Latin/Jazz/Funk/Blues Band, mixing Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Jazz, Blues, and just about everything else together into an exciting and unique collage of sound. Driven by high voltage percussion and compelling original compositions, Chévere has performed in and around Chicago and the Midwest for 30 years.The band has played many large outdoor festivals, including appearances at The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Isthmus Jazz Festival (Madison, WI), Jazz and Rib Fest (Columbus, OH) and Milwaukee Summerfest. Chévere also makes regular appearances at Chicago music venues, the legendary Green Mill Lounge and Fitzgerald’s, and has been featured at the Hot House and the Jazz Showcase.The core of the band has stayed together for over 20 years, giving the band an almost telepathic ability to interact spontaneously onstage. Chévere has an impressive array of virtuosic melodic soloists, and the percussion section, deeply rooted in traditional folkore and religious music from Cuba, the Carribean, and Brazil, is heavily featured on almost every tune.The band is currently planning its second CD which will be a live concert performance.Reviews"The biggest Chicago jazz story of the year so far is the release of the first CD by the Latin-jazz-fusion nonet Chévere-an event a quarter century in the making. Costa Rican drummer Alejo Poveda, a veteran of a dozen or more local jazz bands, formed Chévere here in the late 70s as a small percussion ensemble; even today his occasional interludes with ace percussionists Ruben Alvarez and Joe Rendon are the high points of Chévere’s sets.The band quickly acquired a full instrumental armamentarium and a cadre of the city’s finest jazz sharpshooters, including reedman Steve Eisen, bassist Eric Hochberg, and piano and harmonica wizard Howard Levy. Mark Ohlsen’s trumpet, along with Chris Cameron’s electric keyboards, help Chévere wallpaper the room with big ensemble textures, and Ernie Denov’s slash-and-burn guitar playing connects the band as much to Carlos Santana as to Mongo Santamaria and Tito Puente.The group began recording its debut CD in 1995, but it took years of coordinating busy schedules to finish the album; this weekend’s gigs celebrate the release of Secret Dream on Levy’s label, Balkan Samba. And despite its protracted, piecemeal gestation, the disc comes pretty close to capturing the charismatic energy Chévere brings to the stage."Neil Tesser - Chicago Reader and Author of "The Playboy Guide to Jazz"Purchase Secret Dream at CDBaby.com You should create your own MySpace Layouts like me by using nUCLEArcENTURy .COM’s MySpace Profile Editor !

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/5/2007
Band Website: www.cheveredechicago.com"cheveredechicago.com
Band Members: Alejo Poveda - Drums, percussion & leader Founder and leader of the band, Alejo is from Costa Rica. He toured extensively in South and Central America before moving to Chicago in the 1970s. He founded Chévere as a percussion ensemble in 1977.Howard Levy - Piano, harmonica, mandolin & music director Howard joined Chévere in 1979. He is most well known for his work with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Kenny Loggins, Paquito D'Rivera, Trio Globo, etc. Howard, a Grammy Award Winner and 2- time Nominee, has had a life long passion for Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music.Ruben Alvarez - Timbales, percussion, drums & vocal In addition to his electrifying playing, Ruben is also a noted Latin Music educator who has traveled to Cuba many times to deepen his knowledge of Afro-Cuban music and culture. He currently has a band with Chuchito Valdes, son of the great Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes. He is also a bandleader and has toured with many top artists.Chris "Chicago Hambone" Cameron Hammond B-3 Organ, Fender Rhodes, Moog & keyboards Chris, one of Chicago's leading studio keyboard players, brings his mastery of the electric keyboards, great sense of humor, and a dynamic, bluesy solo style to the mix of Chévere. Chris also produces and records with Sonia Dada.Ernie Denov - Guitar Ernie composes some of Chévere's best loved tunes. He has been one of Chicago's top guitarists for many years, performing with many Chicago groups and leading his own bands as well. Currently, Ernie is also a member Lt. Dan Band, along with Gary Sinise and Kimo Williams.Steve Eisen - Saxes, flute, & percussion Steve, an original member of Chévere, is one of the leading sax players in the midwest. For years he has played and recorded with many of the music industry's top artists including Aretha Franklin, Johnny Winter, Dr. John and Al Kooper.Eric Hochberg - Bass & vocal One of Chicago's most in demand musicians, Eric has toured internationally with the Lyle Mays Quartet, the Terry Callier Group, Ken Nordine's Word Jazz, the Kurt Elling Quartet, and the Paul Wertico Trio, among others. He is also a bandleader, producer, singer, trumpeter, and composer.Joe Rendon Congas, percussion & vocal The leading congero in Chicago, Joe brings his deep knowledge of traditional Afro-Cuban percussion and chants as well as his virtuosity and ability to adapt the congas to any style of music. Joe has performed with Paquito D'Rivera, Andy Montanez, Irakere, and many other Latin artists.Mark Ohlsen - Trumpet & flugelhorn In addtion to his charismatic lead trumpet playing, Mark is also a skilled recording engineer and arranger. A veteran of The Buddy Rich Band and many other jazz big bands, he also has played the Blues and Funk circuit, touring with Big Twist and The Mellow Fellows, The Chicago Catz, and others.Thanks to all of the musicians who have performed with Chévere as members or subs over the last 30 years Geraldo de Oliveira, Tim Tobias, Rusty Taylor, Paul Merar, Steve Million, Jon Weber, Larry Kohut, Pat Mallinger, Art Davis, John Moulder, Larry Grey, Chris Siebold, Jose Gregorio, Fareed Haque, Jean LeRoi, Jamie Claudio, Victor Garcia, Mike McManus and our dear friend, Thomas Kini, we miss you!For Booking Information:Alfred Ticoalu847.903.7440[email protected]
Sounds Like: Chévere
Record Label: Balkan Samba
Type of Label: Indie