Las Cafeteras
Chicano band’s exhilarating concerts cross musical borders with abandon.
Formed in East Los Angeles in 2005, Las Cafeteras mixes Afro-Mexican rhythms with hip-hop, Spanglish pop, R&B, funk, punk and rock – giving their tunes a fierce, raucous energy.
Their mission can be sampled on such strong albums as 2012’s It’s Time and 2017’s Tastes Like L.A. But for the truest taste, the live show is the real deal with this band. They’ve played Montreal and Monterey Jazz Festivals, the Hollywood Bowl and WOMAD. They have shared stages with Ozomatli, Los Lobos, Lila Downs and Gypsy Kings.
The bandmates are all multi-instrumentalists; between them they play several instruments from the son jarocho tradition, such as the quijada (a donkey jawbone) and the jarana (similar to a small guitar) – as well as keyboard, bass, drums and glockenspiel (a surprising addition, but it works). Several members are also accomplished dancers, and they always incorporate exuberant zapateado (a traditional dance style that involves intricate percussive footwork on a wooden platform) into their joyful celebrations.
Opening for Las Cafeteras is jazzy BC quintet San Pedro Cinco, whose Caribbean and Latin music styles are made for both good listening and dancing. Led by guitarist Tony Wilson, the band includes trumpeter JP Carter, bassist Russel Sholberg and percussionists Robin Layne and Daniel Ruiz.
The Rickshaw is a 19+ venue.
Tickets also available at Rickshaw Theatre
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