I'm fortunate to been involved in "Calle 54". It's an incredible documentary film by Fernando Trueba, and I am playing in the film behind some dark sunglasses with The Chico O'Farrill Orchestra.
"CALLE 54....stands with The Buena Vista Social Club as a landmark musical tribute!" - Rolling StoneI
We played every Sunday Night with the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Orchestra every Sunday night at Birdland for many years, and recorded two albums with the Maestro himself. The band also appeared in The Thomas Crown Affair with PIerce Brosnas and Jimmy Cozier and I got a close-up before the famous Ballroom Dance scene. Very exciting. Folks were calling me up saying, man I was on an airplane watching the movie when suddenly there was your big head!
Playing with him and learning from him his amazing band was like getting a PH.d in Music.
In Calle 54, we played the Afro-Cuban Suite that he had recorded with Charlie Parker. Such amazing history! Also appearing in the film are Paquito D'Rivera, Gato Barbieri, Tito Puentes, Jerry Gonzalez, Chucho Valdes, the legendary Patato and more. An amazing piece of history. Hope you get to see it!