Ah Jose - Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra - Canalurbano.com

Memorial and 95th birthday celebration for Graciela Pérez-Gutierrez at Saint Peter's Church (The Jazz Church) August 23rd, 2010
Recorded By John F Carrero www.salsamerengue.com

Pete Nater : On the Graciela memorial controversy; Apparently Graciela's wishes were that there be music, but no singing, at her memorial. Musicians were invited to jam/sit in on the tune Ay Jose, but it was not mentioned that there should be no singing. There were no bad intentions but that ...should have been made clear, beforehand. It was unfortunate for Choco the way it played out. Choco, we still love you!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ah Jose
• Chico O'Farrill
• Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra
• Salsamerengue
• Graciela Pérez-Gutierrez
• Saint Peter's Church
• Jazz Church

[7yolandamaldonado]

Graciela loved to sing and was a friend to Choco Orta who just recorded with Graciela's blessings a CD Ahoramismo including several of Graciela's songs. I can't think of a better tribute for Graciela than to have her friend sing her songs. .......The embarrassment was not caused by Choco but the person attempting to stop her from singing in such an unproffesional way. Bravo Choco........ Yolanda Maldonado

[ortiznyc]

Dam who was that women trying to put a choke hold on Choco and, in the middle of a tribute to Graciela. That is wrong, that woman has no respect for Choco or Graciela for that matter. But the way Choco reacted was the way a respectful and professional reacts to stupid individuals. Because what that women did was a stupid thing to do.

[AlseidesGaldiola]

Impressive music, played with mastery. I feel a lot of respect for all the musicians. In fact, I love Classical music, but it's impossible to don't appreciate this music. Bravo!!!

[aurorazdb]

Do we have no respect for musicians today? Who is that woman who put her hands on her.. a nobody! An arrogant bitch by her own description who should be taught to respect other people, especially artists. Choco is an accomplished artist & the crude remark by the groupie below about Choco being embarrased b4 is completely untrue & uncharacteristic of Choco's nature. She never goes to a stage unless invited. Clearly she lost all propriety for Graciela, the musicians & everyone there. SHAME

[mamushs1]

They announced that any friend and musician who wanted to pay tribute to Gracie was welcome to join the band. If they did not want vocalists to participate, they should have said so. The shame was upon that woman who had the audacity to put her hands on Choco Orta and attempt to stop a tribute that people were enjoying. Surely she had to have heard the applause that erupted as she walked up to the microphone and surely she had to have seen and heard the audience's delight as she began to sing. 

[anameow]

Not the first time Choco Orta has been embarrassingly "shooed" off stage in front of an audience (twice this year, I believe). I agree, Pete, that perhaps it should've been mentioned that NO singing was Graciela's wish; should having boundaries be mentioned in this case? Don't know. An unfortunate but preventable incident on both side's parts. The band was outstanding.