Louie Cruz Beltran, that is, who is among the premier congueros in southern California — with a repertoire that spans world-class jazz and Latin jazz, R&B and pop classics.
Beltran has two supper-club gigs on offer before Thanksgiving, the first at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, just south of Long Beach in Orange County. That happens Sunday, November 24, with Louie leading a group comprising pianist Carlos Vivas, bass player Andrew Ford, drummer David Anderson and Justin Janner swapping between sax and flute.
Next up, Vibrato, Herb Alpert’s elegant supper club in the cool far reaches of Belair, near Mulholland Drive. Beltran is a regular at this sophistical spot, and he’s back on Tuesday, November 26, rolling out Latin-inflected rhythms on congas and vocals, and heading up an ace back-up band of Joe Rotondi, piano, Pat Senatore, bass, and David Anderson, drums.
A great, kicking start to the holiday season.