August 18, 2011 12:01 AM EST, Erie Times-News.Contributing writer. Diasporic people often freeze their source culture at the moment of departure. In the late-1970s, Cuban culture was lively, but had a decidedly prerevolutionary flavor. The long-standing U.S. embargo enforced this anomaly until the Mariel boatlift of 1980. One year before that event, as if to presage it, a record arrived in America that would shatter the cross-cultural silence across the Straits of Florida.">August 18, 2011 12:01 AM EST, Erie Times-News.Contributing writer. Diasporic people often freeze their source culture at the moment of departure. In the late-1970s, Cuban culture was lively, but had a decidedly prerevolutionary flavor. The long-standing U.S. embargo enforced this anomaly until the Mariel boatlift of 1980. One year before that event, as if to presage it, a record arrived in America that would shatter the cross-cultural silence across the Straits of Florida.">

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Cuban trumpeter Sandoval plays in Chautauqua, N.Y.By John Chacona

Published: August 18, 2011 12:01 AM EST, Erie Times-News.Contributing writer. Diasporic people often freeze their source culture at the moment of departure. In the late-1970s, Cuban culture was lively, but had a decidedly prerevolutionary flavor. The long-standing U.S. embargo enforced this anomaly until the Mariel boatlift of 1980. One year before that event, as if to presage it, a record arrived in America that would shatter the cross-cultural silence across the Straits of Florida.

It was the American recorded debut of the Cuban supergroup Irakere, and its herald was an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink song called "Juana Mil Ciento" that featured a wild, unruly and terrifically exciting trumpet solo by Arturo Sandoval.

Sandoval played impressively high, impossibly fast and with superhuman power. I was slack-jawed when I first heard him and 32 years later, that solo still has the power to stun. In the interim, Sandoval, who later defected, has had a satisfying career, if not one as explosive as that record promised.

But he's still a fiery and athletic soloist -- on piano as well as trumpet. If he doesn't bring Havanian heat to the Amp with Blood, Sweat & Tears on Friday at 8:15 p.m., well, that building is made of wood, and fire must be handled carefully there.

PLAN AHEAD

The Chautauqua season comes to an end on Aug. 28, but before it does, the Amp will host a couple of blockbuster events.

The Beach Boys play Friday, Aug. 26, and the Boys' eternally sunny nostalgia is either just what we need after the last couple of weeks of dismal news, or it's whistling past the graveyard. Judge for yourself.

Bill Cosby, on the other hand, with his gentle, family-derived humor, seems timeless, an amiable emissary from a gentler time. He performs twice on Aug. 27, at 5 and 8:15 p.m.

Source: www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110818/ENTERTAINMENT0301/308...

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