Tetragon

The 2008 New Mexico Jazz Festival kicks off with a special evening with Tetragon, one of New Mexico’s longest standing Afro-Cuban and hard bop jazz ensembles. Formed in 1991, Tetragon, is co-led by trumpeter, Paul Gonzales and pianist, Steve Figueroa. The group originally also featured Steve’s father, Conrad Figueroa, on bass until his passing in 1997. Tetragon performs both standards and original compositions with influences ranging from Art Blakey and Woody Shaw, to the “Cubop” innovations of Dizzy Gillespie & Chano Pozo, Eddie Palmieri, and folkloric Afro-Cuban rhythms. Last heard at Outpost in November 2007, Tetragon also performed at the inaugural New Mexico Jazz Festival in 2006 and has also appeared at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater and the Telluride Foundation’s “Family Fiesta” concert in Mountain Village, CO. The members of Tetragon are Paul Gonzales, trumpet and percussion; Steve Figueroa, piano; Kanoa Kaluhiwa, tenor saxophone; César Bauvallet, trombone and percussion; Michael Olivola, bass; Tomas White, drums, timbales and percussion; and Victor Rodriguez, congas.

Tickets $20. Member, Student and Multiple Concert Sales Discounts available at Outpost Performance Space Box Office 505-268-0044; Lensic Box Office 505-988-1234; or on the web www.ticketssantafe.org. No Outpost Member Passes for New Mexico Jazz Festival concerts.