Chico Alvarez & Mauricio Smith with RAN KAN KAN

From Summer Stage in Central Park to SOB's, multi-talented Afro-Cuban musician, radio host, and Latin Jazz USA lifetime achievement awardee Chico Alvarez and renowned flutist Mauricio Smith will grace the stage with their latin dance band, Ran Kan Kan! Ernesto "Chico" Alvarez Peraza was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Cuba, has performed as a singer throughout the New York tri-state area for the last four decades; and has directed several bands and orchestras including his 10-piece conjunto, Mafímba. He is also the radio host of the New World Gallery, which airs on Sunday afternoons on WBAI Pacifica Radio (99.5 FM). Mauricio Smith, Jr. was born in Panama and resides in NYC. At age 15 he was already a sensational flutist. He studied music at the National Conservatory of Panama, and with such great musicians/composers as Eduardo Charpentier, Roberto Pitre, Mauricio Smith Sr., among others. Mauricio is also a member of the Charanga band Tipica Novel. $15 admission