Spirit Magazine –Southwest Airlines, April 2005

Son Mayor
Saturdays
Los Angeles

Once upon a steamy night in Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York City or maybe all three-no one knows for sure-Cuban rhythms had a tryst with American jazz. The result: an explosive mix of tectonic rhythms and brass blasts guaranteed to determine if you have a pulse or not-salsa. Regular crowds are left with no doubts (about their pulse) after a night with Son Mayor, L.A.’s premier Latin dance band, which provides a sweat-drenched wake-up call two Saturdays a month at the Conga Room, a mid-Wilshire District club whose owners include Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Smits.

Led by the Ortiz brothers, vocalists Johnny and Erasmo, bassist Julian, keyboardist Oscar and percussionist Jorgie, Son Mayor has been a fixture on the local scene for more than a decade. The 12-piece crew (more if you count dancers, which you can’t help doing) can riff with the Latin jazz greats-they’ve played with Cuba’s piano man Chucho Valdez and conguero Poncho Sanchez- but it’s white-hot salsa that’s made them a crowd favorite. You don’t have to know a hook turn from a right hook to appreciate the band’s hyperkinetic vocals, slamming percussion and staccato horn bursts. But if you can dance, there’s no place better in L.A. then the Conga Room’s spacious ballroom. Bummed about your two left feet? Show up at 8 pm for the salsa lesson.-J.R. Saturdays (twice a month, showtime 10 pm), Conga Room, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 938-1696

JOE ROBINSON IS AN EDITOR AT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.