Seven Steps to Havana
Great Latin jazz from a septet of international talent.
Javier Santiago, keyboards
Eliezer Freitas-Santos, percussion
Mark Miller, trombone
Bill Simenson, trumpet
Yohannes Tona, bass
Mariano Flores, drums/timbales
Doug Little, saxophones
Composed of members from North America, Brazil, Africa and the Caribbean, Seven Steps to Havana truly brings the world into their music. Based in Latin jazz, this septet covers salsa, rumba, and bolero rhythms, transporting its audience to another place and time. This group features bandleader Doug Little, who has been active on the Twin Cities scene for many years with jazz groups like The Motion Poets and Latin/salsa projects like Charanga Tropical. Also featured is young piano phenom Javier Santiago. This two time Dakota Foundation Jazz Piano Competition winner just spent two years playing in the Brubeck Institute Quintet, named by Downbeat Magazine as the Best College Band in the Nation.
“These musicians merge their efforts to create a highly energetic, creative and joyful big band sound with only seven voices. From mambo to cha-cha, Seven Steps to Havana will take your ears from Minnesota to Cuba, proving that seven is indeed a very lucky number.” Jazz Police
