Afro-Cuban Sounds Flow in Washington Heights

Mario Rodriguez Renato Thoms

Sultry sounds filled the cool autumn air on October 15, 2022 as music lovers gathered in J. Hood Wright Park to hear the band Sãlongo. The brainchild of Trumpeter, Composer, Arranger, and Bandleader Eddie Allen, this seven-piece, Afro-Cuban/Brazilian group combines the driving rhythmic concepts of conga player legend Mongo Santamaria, the rhythms of Brazil, the harmonic concepts in jazz, and the commercial appeal of Santana. Members of Sãlongo include Bruce Williams on alto sax, Teodross Avery on tenor sax, Hector Martignon on piano, Mario Rodriguez on electric bass, Diego Lopez on drums, and Renato Thoms on congas and percussion. Visitors to the park danced in delight and just couldn’t get enough of the soulful music.

First row L-R: Sis. Ruth Lee-Morris, Sis. Mary Ann Darby, Sis. Crystal Wiggins, Rev. Carl L. Washington III, Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Williams Jr., Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor Jr., Dea. Vincent Bryant, and Rev. Dr. Ralph M. Branch Jr. Top row L-R: Rev. Dr. Derrick Dumas, Rev. John H. Gamble Jr., Rev. Dr. Semaj Vanzant Sr., Sis. Janet Jasper, Rev. Dr. Frances Teabout, and Rev. Kevin White

Praise and joyful worship rose to the rafters at Community Baptist Church of Englewood when three state conventions joined together in concert to sing "Hymns With a Twist"—good old hymns and spiritual songs with a contemporary twist.

Participants including Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor Jr., NE Region Vice President of the National Baptist Convention; The Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention, led by Convention President Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber; the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, led by Convention President Rev. Dr. Carl Washington; and the General Baptist Convention of NJ, Inc., led by Convention President Rev. Dr. J. Michael Sanders raised the roof.

The concert’s purpose, to benefit the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society and support their work, was hosted by the GBCNJ Music & Creative Arts Auxiliary whose president is Crystal Wiggins.

L-R: Understand Medicare Now community partner, Michael Walker and Vincent Bryant