Music Calendar

Thursdays are better with music!

Gonzalo Cordova is one of Chicago's best interpreters of the Latin American and Spanish songbooks: Trova, Nueva Cancion, Bolero, Baladas and Rumba Flamenca.

His background is steeped in traditional and popular Latin music ranging from Nuevo Flamenco to Mexican Folk. He is a member of the Grammy nominated Sones de Mexico Ensemble.

His unique fusions of these and other World genres, rhythms and styles make his performances as a solo artist a true adventure.

Gonzalo Cordova appears every Thursday at Sabor A Café Steakhouse.

Reservations recommended. Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Sabor a Café welcomes back one of our favorite singers, Peruvian born Edward Carpio, and his smokin' Ensamble Latino. Join us for an evening of Latin jazz, salsa, Cuban son and more!

Two sets, 9 & 10:30PM.

Reservations recommended. Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Zenen Zeferino is a jarana player, singer, composer, and poet from Veracruz, Mexico. Born in a family of traditional musicians, Zeferino is one of the major figures in the field of son jarocho (the traditional music of Veracruz) and is largely responsible for reviving the genre in contemporary performance and recording after it had almost disappeared during the 1960s and 1970s.

From an early age he ventured into poetic improvisation, which is a common art in the state of Veracruz. As such, he has developed a particular style of singing, playing, and improvising, which has made him one of the most important figures of traditional musical expression in Mexico.

Joining Zenen Zeferino are traditional son jarocho players drawn from Chicago, New York City and Mexico.

This show is part of the the 6th Encuentro de Jaraneros of the Midwest,a one-of-a-kind festival in Chicago featuring son jarocho and huapango bands from United States, Canada and Mexico. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/encuentrodejaranerosmidwest

No cover, but reservations are recommended. Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Founded in 2001, Conjunto is violinist James Sanders’ long running project to unite his classical training and Dominican heritage with the freedom of jazz improvisation, all grounded in Afro-Cuban rhythms: rumba, son, danzón and more.

In Conjunto, jazz freedom, intricate instrumental virtuosity and propulsive dance rhythms find equal footing in a cohesive whole, making music for mind, body, and soul. They have performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Andy’s Jazz Club, the Jazz Showcase, the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival, the Velvet Lounge, the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, Katerina’s, Chicago SummerDance and many more. In 2010, Conjunto headlined at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion for the ‘Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz’ series before an audience of nearly 10,000 people.

No cover, but reservations highly recommended! Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Buenos Aires born Damian Rivero is the grandson of the great tango singer Edmudo Rivero. Guillermo Paolisso, also born in the Argentine city, is the fourth generation of a musical family.

They'll meet in Chicago at Sabor a Café for an intimate duo concert that will range from Argentine folklore to jazz and points in between.

Reservations are recommended. Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Cynthia Strachan Saunders, known to her fans around the world as Jus’ Cynthia, is a soulful, vibrant, jazzy vocalist certain to soothe the soul and bring a sense of well being to those who hears her. She connects with the audience with her warm and friendly personality, she invites them along with her bright smile and she keeps them there with her heart felt style of music.

The Floridian credits her family for their musical influences, then later received former training from Bethune-Cookman College, in Daytona Beach. October Road is the first of many professional bands that Jus’ Cynthia performed with. That road has taken her to places, people, and experiences worth singing and writing about. Places like the US and British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, London, Rome, Paris, Switzerland, Bangkok, Manila and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cynthia will be joined by a hand-picked ensemble of some of Chicago's finest jazz musicians.

No cover, but teservations are recommended. Reservations at 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Sabor a Café welcomes one of Chicago's premier singers, composers and bandleaders, José 'Papo' Santiago.

Papo Santiago started his musical journey in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the birthplace of some of the most celebrated musicians in Latin music history. Santiago pursued a degree in music at Universidad Interamericana, San German, Puerto Rico.

Before completing his studies, he was recruited to play baritone sax with "La Terrifica" by its bandleader Joe Rodriguez. "La Terrifica" spun off from "La Sonora Poncena" in the early 70's and paved the way for Santiago's incursion into the world of salsa. The band's international acclaim took Santiago to the demanding salsa public of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and New York among others. After forging his musical reputation, he became a sought after musician, sharing the stage with upper brass of Afro-Caribbean music, including "Fania All-Stars", "La Sonora Poncena", "Ismael Miranda", "Marvin Santiago", Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Carlos "Cano" Estremera, Henry Fiol. Lalo Rodriguez, Eddie Santiago, and Nino Segarra.

His sonero influences are Ismael Rivera. Luigi Texidor, Marvin Santiago, Isaac Delgado and "El Tiburón" Morales. In his improvisations, he combines street-wise sense of humor with a unique approach to rhythm and swing. Santiago stands as an icon of the harmonious fusion of classic influences with the most innovative trends in tropical music.

Reservations recommended. Reservations at 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

"...some of the best bossa nova you're likely to find this side of Rio. I've never heard a better female bossa nova singer than Neusa Sauer." - Chicago Tribune.

Neusa Sauer is a true legend of Brazilian music. She was born in the sun drenched southern shores of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Graced with an exquisite voice and a natural stage presence, she began singing at age 8 and at age 17 won a coveted prize at the Voz de Ouro.

Partnering with singing greats on the Bossa Nova scene, Neusa worked with Elis Regina and Breno Sauer, who later became her husband and together they toured extensively throughout Mexico, Japan and Canada. She currently resides in Chicago and has become a pillar of the Bossa Nova and World Music scene in America.

Neusa released records with international acclaim such as Tudo Joia under the Pausa Record label.. Performing music by the likes of Tom Jobim, Baden Powell and Joao Bosco, her style is derived from Samba, Bossa, and Brazilian Jazz and has become a the highlight of many national music festivals.

No cover, but reservations are highly recommended. Call (773) 878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Sabor a Café's last Thursday of the month Peña Libre series continues with a celebration of the music of Buenos Aires & Argentina.

Proyecto Sur hosts special guests Richard Scofano on bandoneon and Guillermo Paolisso on guitar.

As always, the later part of the evening will be an open jam session. Come, bring your instrument, and join the fun.

Reservations are recommended. Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Percussionist and master conguero Joe Rendon has performed with many musical artists of many genres of music, from Paquito D' Rivera , Arturo Sandoval and many other Latin jazz artists, to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin and Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.

He now leads his Latin jazz band in diverse types of music, that bring musical influences from classic jazz standards to latin jazz/salsa, Afro-Cuban rhythms and R & B with a dash of soul! His ability to communicate with his band to his audience has a profound effect on them, from casually tapping their feet to suddenly standing up and dancing to the frenzied and energetic rhythms.

Come experience Joe Rendon & Friends and musically re-visit where you come from-regardless of what part of the world you are from! "Keep Live Music Alive!"™

No cover! Reservations highly recommended. Call 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html

Originally from Mexico City, classical guitarist Ivan Resendiz began his musical studies oat the age of 16 at the School of Music of the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA) in Mexico.

In 2006 Iván Resendiz decided to migrate to the United States to continue his musical studies, taking private lessons with Norman Ruiz and Denis Azabagic, both professors from distinguished universities in Chicago: Columbia College and Roosevelt University.

From 2009 to the present, Ivan Resendiz has participated in numerous national and international guitar contests, positioning himself among the top places in more than thirteen competitions. He has performed in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Austria, Spain, Germany, Italy, Serbia and in several states of the United States throughout his career in international guitar festivals.

Ivan has collaborated with organizations committed to cultural diffusion such as Progressive Latinos, Erie Community Center, Pilsen Artist Community, Radio Arte, Yocali Community of Art Chicago and others.

Reservations are recommended. Reserve online at 773-878-6327 or reserve online at http://saboracaferestaurant.com/Reservation.html