—————————————————— Larry Harlow and Noche Caliente | Houston Press

Larry Harlow and Noche Caliente

Pianist Larry Harlow, a.k.a. "El Judio Maravilloso," is a must-see for salsa fans. An important member of the Fania All-Stars, Harlow claims to have produced more than 250 CDs and recorded more than 50 as a bandleader. Numbers get muddled over the years, so those may or may not be accurate, but one thing that's true is that Harlow not only helped to shape today's salsa music, he pushed and pulled it into the mainstream. Harlow, who is not the shy or retreating type, touts his many accomplishments often and loudly (Carnegie Hall concerts, International Latin Music Hall of Fame honors, Grammy Award nominations, a master's degree in philosophy), but when you are Larry "I was there in the beginning" Harlow and you can play circles around almost everyone else in the game, you get to brag a little.

Presented by the Diaz Music Institute, Noche Caliente will also feature percussionist Fausto Cuevas (named "Percussionist on the Rise" by DRUM magazine) and two Houston pianists, Cleo "Pookie" Sample and Jose Miguel Yamal, along with the student big band Caliente.

Larry Harlow performs Saturday, March 24, at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 100 Concert Drive, 281-373-3386.