Fast playing Monday’s gig.
New York-based percussionist Ed Fast, who recently played in orchestras at Shubert Theater’s Motown The Musical, at Long Wharf Theatre’s The Most Beautiful Room in New York, and for Yale Rep’s production of Assassins, said he spent a lot of time in New Haven, recognized the city’s vibrancy, and wanted to add to it.
“I want to try to try to put some roots down in New Haven and try to develop a scene,” Fast said during a break at Elm City Social’s rooftop bar on Monday, where he and his band, Ed Fast & Conga-Bop and musical guests were charging up New Haven’s College Street skyline with the pulsing rhythms of Latin jazz. Monday’s performance, described by Fast as “a work in progress/public rehearsal presentation,” was the inaugural night of a regular Monday night series that will feature Fast and a host of top-notch jazz musicians.
Elevated view of rooftop venue.
Ryan Howard, Elm City Social managing partner, said that Latin jazz is a first for the rooftop tiki bar, an open air space outfitted with a thatched roof tiki hut, a lono (long tongue) tiki sculpture nestled among planters, and special cocktails bearing exotic names like “Flaming Unicorn and Eco-Colada.”
Tiki kitsch, barside.
Howard noted that Monday night, which is typically a slow night of the week for the business, was surprisingly well attended. The tiki bar, according to Howard, has a limited food and cocktail selection, but visitors can order from the restaurant’s expansive, first floor bar menu if desired.
Every seat is a good seat.
As a soft dusk gave way to night skies, stringed lights cast a warm glow on the rooftop crowd, many extending their phone cameras to record the vibe.
New Haven vocalist Aleta Staton.
Monday’s band included Ed Fast on drums, Jorge Fuentes on congas, Joel Fuentes on trumpet, Dan Liparini on guitar, and Leo Catricala on bass. Special guests were Tim Moran on saxophone, Nathan Davis on trombone, and Aleta Staton on vocals.
Rafael Ramos.
During a second break, the audience was treated to some spoken-word offerings by Bregamos Community Theater founder Rafael Ramos, who regaled the audience with a short story about growing up in a Brooklyn cold-water railroad flat and his love of Popeye cartoons, and original poetry inspired by his mother’s recent passing.
Facilitator Sammy Rivera, left, Michelle Rivera.
Along a soaring exterior brick wall sat Sammy Rivera of Shelton, a friend of both Fast and Howard, whom Fast credited with facilitating the connection that resulted in the Monday night Latin Jazz series. The two recently reconnected after becoming friends at a jazz venue in Hartford some time ago. Rivera noted Latin jazz’s special appeal.
“It crosses boundaries, of gender, genres, and age. Latin jazz brings it all together,” Rivera said.
Fast has had previous ties to New Haven, including a connection to the late Bill Fitch, considered by many to have been among the best conga players in the world. Fitch was a guest performer on Fast’s CD, Straight Shot. Fast’s new CD, Do or Die, features world-renowned jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, considered the godfather of fusion music, who passed away last February of natural causes at age 73. Fast said his album may well be Coryell’s last recording.
In addition to his growing portfolio of recordings, Fast toured for over a year with actor and singer Chita Rivera and has had a highly active theatrical music touring schedule that has taken him to Moscow and across Asia.
WNHH’s Bowens-Mercado.
Among those that attended Elm City Social’s first Latin jazz show was New Haven salsa queen Alisa Bowens-Mercado, who interviewed both Fast and Rivera on a recent edition of her Alisa’s Talk-Sip Culture Cocktail radio program on WNHH (see below). Bowens-Mercado, who is friends with both Fast and Rivera, said she hopes to make an artful contribution to an upcoming Monday night Latin jazz session with some salsa dancing.
The interview with Fast and Rivera starts at minute 19 of the show.