Afro Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University "A 25 year Retrospective"

The Afro Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University, a 25 Year Retrospective

“The Afro Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University, a 25 Year Retrospective,” is a milestone celebration of the ensemble under its founder and director Dr. John Calloway, with live music from current and former members. Panel facilitator Luis Medina of KPFA radio will interview John about the ensemble’s formation, mission, history and numerous accomplishments, using photos, videos and recordings as artifacts. Many of the ensemble’s former students as well as John’s colleagues will be asked to share their memories and recollections as well. But for sure, live music will be a main feature of the presentation!

“El Conjunto Afro Cubano de la Universidad Estatal de San Francisco, una retrospectiva de 25 años”, es una celebración histórica del conjunto bajo su fundador y director, el Dr. John Calloway, con música en vivo de miembros actuales y anteriores. El facilitador del panel Luis Medina de la radio KPFA entrevistará a John sobre la formación, misión, historia y numerosos logros del conjunto, utilizando fotografías, videos y grabaciones como artefactos. A muchos de los antiguos alumnos del conjunto, así como a los colegas de John, también se les pedirá que compartan sus memorias y recuerdos. ¡Pero seguro que la música en vivo será una característica principal de la presentación!

Afro Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University

Formed in 1999, the Afro-Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University is dedicated to preserving and performing Cuban music and other Latin American music genres. The ensemble’s mission is to demonstrate the richness of Cuban and Latin American styles that have so influenced American music since the 19th century. They have performed yearly at Carnaval San Francisco, opened for the great Cuban bassist Israel “Cachao” Lopez, traveled to Chile with Teatro Arcoiris, and have done yearly benefit concerts on and off campus, most notably for Clinica Martin Baró, which provides free health care for the undocumented throughout the city.

Organized by: San Francisco International Arts Festival