Conga Night at Club York
Image: Conga Night at Club York. Image: City of Sydney
By Chris Ruhle
Dancefloors might have been deserted during Covid but they’ll be back in a big way on Saturday 23 September in the recently renovated Red Room of Club York in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Billed as Viva La Rumba, three remarkable bands are guaranteed to ignite the dancefloor with a joyous night of Latin inspired grooves. Sixteen incredibly talented musicians make up the two headline bands, Caribe and Sonido along with specials guests The Cubano Jazz Combo, all the way from Lismore.
The inclusion of the very youthful Cubano Jazz Combo, with ages from 16 to 22, is of special interest. It’s no secret that their home town Lismore was devastated by the 2022 flood and the rebuilding process has been long and difficult. Reconstructing bricks and mortar is one thing, but re-establishing cultural connections in the town, particularly as they apply to young people, has been extremely difficult. Fortunately a dedicated group of both local and visiting musicians and arts organizers have been working tirelessly to restore the once dynamic live music environment.
Sydney musician and band leader Gai Bryant has travelled to Lismore on multiple occasions to mentor young students in conjunction with Anita Bellman, the director of the local Northen Rivers Conservatorium.
“After the floods this was particularly important as it gave young people an opportunity to gather and connect. You can imagine how many instruments were lost…I know the Con lost all its pianos, drum kits, percussion and library of scores. Caribe has gone up for the past two years to work with the Youth Jazz Orchestra and go through Latin-inspired repertoire and basic rhythm patterns needed to understand a few basic styles as well as improvisation,” notes Bryant.
A Sydney trip was organized and these aspiring young musicians are incredibly excited to be able to come down and play for a Sydney audience along with the country’s top Latin musicians.
“Events like this are so important because they motivate young adults who are living in a town that has suffered through incredible environmental challenges and where very little seems to have changed,” adds Bryant. “This trip can give them a desire to come to Sydney to study and help them connect with other musicians and musical institutions.”
