So many gigs. I try to remember them all. And I do remember Chucho Valdés  – after all it was very, very good. The Jazz Festival has done a mostly brilliant job since around 2012/13 of bringing in 3-4 international headliners doing big showcase gigs and then the small and local shows that light up the venues and alleyways of the city. On the side. I wonder what will happen in 2020 and then on from there – they’ve postponed the Jazz Festival until later in the year and they’re due to start announcing shows/acts soon. Fingers crossed that something good can happen. And good on them for still giving it a go at any rate.

I thought I’d reviewed Chucho and his Afro-Cuban Messengers (fabulous band) right here for Off The Tracks but it must have been one of the last shows I did for The Dominion Post really. The gig reviewing really dried up – they didn’t want to spend any money, nor value or recognise culture. And it skidded to a halt. So much so you’d have to tell the commissioning editor who these acts were and really make a case for them. I couldn’t be bothered with that.

Oh yep, a quick Google and I find the DomPost review is still up and accessible (that’s a surprise).

Must go back now and Google up some more of his music. It’s been a while…
Stubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down.