The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department is excited to announce the lineup for the 2023 Mayor’s Jazz Fest Concert, at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St.
This year’s concert will feature El Paso’s Frank Zona, with Albuquerque’s Son Como Son kicking off the event.
Saxophonist, Frank Zona leads a group known for its high energy, rhythm and blues influenced brand of Jazz. Based in El Paso, Texas, The Frank Zona Group is a feature of the El Paso and southern New Mexico music scene.
Zona’s album releases include: “Frank Zona & Urban Edge – Live!!” and the critically acclaimed studio recording “Over The Edge,” which has received U.S. and international airplay since its release. Zona also has received recording credits with Blues Legend Dorothy “Miss Blues” Ellis, Bob Piorun and many others.
Frank Zona studied Saxophone with New York Jazz legend Joe Manzone, University of Illinois Woodwind professor Ralph Athey, Ph.D.; Greg Fishman; Doug Webb and the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles.
Zona has opened for The Yardbirds, James Brown, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ryan Starr, and Ozomatli. He also has shared the stage with contemporary Jazz icons Dave Koz, Candy Dulfer, Richard Elliot and Najee.
Son Como Son bills itself as “Salsa Cuban Style.” Founded in 1993, it is unquestionably one of Albuquerque’s longest standing and most popular salsa ensembles.
Son Como Son plays regularly to packed audiences of highly animated and dedicated, salseros at the New Mexico Jazz Workshop’s Salsa Under the Stars Series; at The Cooperage; as well as at special concerts, such as those at the Telluride Jazz Festival. They are directed by renowned trombonist, vocalist, percussionist, composer, and arranger César Bauvallet, who moved from Havana, Cuba to Albuquerque in 1992.
In addition to Bauvallet, Son Como Son is comprised of some of Albuquerque’s most accomplished and busiest musicians.
The Mayor’s Jazz Fest is a free family event that annually begins the Parks & Recreation Department’s Music in the Park series. This year’s music series will feature performances by local, regional, and national acts every Sunday through Aug. 27, 2023.