Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) kicks off the 16th annual summer installment of the Tito Puente Latin Music Series with a performance by Orquesta Sensacional on July 11th at 7 p.m.at Plaza Betances (100 W. Dedham St., Boston, MA 02118). In partnership with Berklee College of Music and the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, IBA brings back the tradition with a six-concert series, bringing the soulful melodies of Latin Caribbean musicians to parks across Boston for Thursday evenings full of salsa and dancing.
Presenting a soundscape of live Latin music, the series will bring exciting and flavorful performances from a diverse group of Latin musicians. Throughout the summer, concert attendees can indulge in the infectious rhythms of Panamanian musician Rafael Moreno, the unique styling and percussion of Gregorio Uribe, the contemporary mixture of blues, R&B and Cuban jazz of Clave & Blues and Alex Alvear & Mango Blue's Afro-Latin blends. On August 15th, the series will conclude with a performance from the iconic Latin jazz performer Tito Puente Jr. accompanied by the Puerto Rican mainstay Edwin Pabón at the Boston Common.
"We're grateful for the partnership of our friends at Berklee and the City of Boston, who help make it possible for Bostonians of all backgrounds to build community while enjoying the sounds of South America and Puerto Rico," said JuanCarlos González, Arts Program Director for IBA. "IBA invites our neighbors and friends in Boston to join us—and dance with us—as we celebrate the rich arrangements of salsa influenced musicians in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente."
Notably including performances by Berklee students, alumni, and world-renowned artists, IBA looks forward to continuing to foster a vibrant Latin music and salsa community.
The 2024 Tito Puente Latin Music Series includes:
Roberto Piñeiro Jr. and his Orchestra Sensacional
Thursday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m.; Plaza Betances. 100 West Dedham Street, Boston
The bongo player and his Orchestra Sensacional are stand-outs in Massachusetts for their dedication and commitment to providing a repertoire of interpreted and original songs with the flavorful rhythm of salsa that will come to Plaza Betances.
Rafael Moreno
Thursday, July 18th at 7:00 p.m.; Plaza Betances. 100 West Dedham Street, Boston
The Panamanian singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and educator will bring his contemporary blend to Plaza Betances. The Berklee College of Music alumni will showcase his contemporary sound in style.
Gregorio Uribe
Thursday, July 25th at 7:00 p.m.; LoPresti Park. 33 Sumner Street, East Boston
The Latin Grammy-nominated Colombian singer-songwriter and accordionist will bring his passion and tenacity to LoPresti Park. Inspired by the musical stylings of minstrels from the countryside of the Colombian Caribbean, Uribe combines flavor, dance and joy with literary references. Uribe's unique styling and percussion will have you dancing.
Alex Alvear & Mango Blue
Thursday, August 1st at 7:00 p.m.; Mission Hill Playground. 1545 Tremont Street, Boston
Bringing an exciting blend of musical styles creating a refreshing new sound the high-powered, all-original music ensemble that will delight with their infectious sound. The Ecuadorian Alvear with his band of world class instrumentalists, will playfully integrate a wide array of influences from R&B, jazz, funk, and Caribbean roots with Afro-Latin musical traditions for a stylistic fusion of music that will transcend ethnic boundaries at Mission Hill Playground.
Clave & Blues
Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 p.m.; Mozart Park. 10 Mozart Street, Boston
The Cuban musician and Latin jazz band that have performed across the Boston area will be joining the series at Mozart Park. Bringing a mix between Afro-Cuban rhythms, blues, R&B, and world music for a contemporary sound earning them a high regard in the New England music scene.
Tito Puente Jr. with Edwin Pabón
Thursday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m.; Boston Common. 139 Tremont St, Boston
The iconic Tito Puente Jr. will be joined by Edwin Pabon, the Puerto Rican mainstay in Latin music across New England. Merging the two artist percussion talents for a performance in the Boston Commons that will have everyone dancing.
The 2024 Tito Puente Latin Music Series is made possible by the support of its sponsors, National Endowment for the Arts, Mass Cultural Council, and United Way.
All concerts in the Tito Puente Latin Music Series will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and are free and open to the public. All locations are wheelchair accessible and there will be no rain dates. Visit IBA Boston to learn more about the series.
To follow or engage with the Tito Puente Latin Music Series online, visit @ibaboston on Instagram and Facebook, and @IBA_Boston on Twitter.