Only in Hollywood can you go to a “little” free outdoor concert on a Tuesday evening and have it turn into a major jam session by a bunch of famous musicians right before your eyes. And that happened yesterday at Hollywood and Highland during the Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra’s performance as part of the KJazz 7th Annual Wine, Jazz and Moonlight series.
It began nice and jazzy with the 75-year old Pete on timbales and those backing him up, which included his two sons Juan and Peter Michael as well as other very talented musicians - Oskar Cartaya, Justo Almario, Kerry Loeschen, Joe Rotundi, and director Mario Gonzalez included. As the air cooled down and the crowd warmed up, a number of other musicians joined the group on stage, starting with Pete’s daughter, audience favorite Sheila E., who really began a jam session that went on until the last song. Up there were a couple of members of the all female Los Angeles Salsa ensemble The L.A. Salsa Divas, as well as Cyndi Lauper’s guitarist, and a few other impressive percussionists.
Hundreds enjoyed a free concert that by merit, and anywhere else, would have been ticketed at a pretty penny. More magical even, hundreds stayed until the end of the show completely oblivious to the red carpet for "The Expendables" going on just a few steps away on Hollywood Blvd. (Bruce Willis was spotted driving next to a concert goer even!) This is our town! Gotta love it.
The series at Hollywood and Highland continues until August 31. See band schedule here.
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