A very special show tonight, as John Calloway — jazz flautist and composer, latin jazz specialist, former SF Arts Commissioner and a deeply respected educator — will front an ensemble featuring several former members of the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco (LJYE) who are now playing professionally in the Bay Area.

Formed in 2001 by Arturo Riera, Sylvia Ramirez and John, the LJYE is a community grassroots organization that offers free scholarships to learn how to perform Afro-Latin jazz music. It’s been a spawning ground for some of the Bay Area’s most exciting new talent, many of whom have gone onto to play both nationally and internationally.

Tonight at Bird & Beckett, they’ll be performing Latin jazz and jazz music to enrich & enliven your soul!

John Calloway & Daniel Rivera, flutes
Ruben Sandoval, trombone
Nora Stanley – alto sax
Omree Gal-Oz – piano
Alex Farrell – bass
Eric Mendez – drum set
Arek Boloyan & Arturo Riera – percussion