On February 9 and 10 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC), Frank and Pilar Leto will present “Carnaval 2024: Comunidade,” their 19th almost-annual celebration of Carnaval, which features vibrant original music and dance and lavish costumes. This year, they are paying tribute to the many dancers, musicians, actors, and sponsors from the Albuquerque community who have made these unique Carnaval performances possible year after year. In addition, Frank’s latest album, It Seems Like Yesterday, will be available at the event in advance of its official release.
Original music from Frank and original choreography and costumes from Pilar’s Odara Dance Ensemble pay homage to the Carnaval traditions found in Brazil, Trinidad, Cuba, and New Orleans. Frank’s music draws on the deep musical traditions of those four places, which he authentically reproduces with palpable affection and respect. Carnaval is a time of intense celebration prior to Lent, with revelers giving thanks for the blessings in their lives through public events such as parades and street parties. Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity.
Social and artistic unity underscores the theme of Comunidade. “The community has made an impact on us, and for sure, Pilar and I have made an impact on the community,” says Frank. They are looking to honor the community that has coalesced around them.
“Pilar has been a huge influence on all these young dancers, who now have their own dance studios and classes,” says Frank, and they’ll be featured as guest dancers. Among them are Trey Pickett and Vanessa Mathis, who met working on Frank’s musical, Streets of Love, were married in the show, and will be dancing a romantic bossa. Carlota Silva and friends will be dancing a salsa number in homage to Oshun. Elyse Fahey and dancers from her company at Studio Sway will be dancing on an afrobeat tune. “They have a more modern, mixed with folk, approach that they’re going to put on that,” says Frank. Odara dancer Evelyn Linzy’s eight-year-old son, Jeremiah, and Vanessa’s seven-year-old daughter, Ameera, will also be featured in a number.
They’ll be sharing the stage with Pilar’s Odara Dance Ensemble, which features Pilar, Linzy, Victoria Gutierez, Sabrina Carabajol, and Darrin Visaraga, with Amina Dunn and Natalia Casiano. Providing the music for the dancers is a top-drawer assembly of local musicians: Frank (vocals, steel pan, percussion), Kanoa Kaluhiwa (saxophone), Chris Buckholz (trombone), Daniel Ward (guitar), Steve Figueroa (keyboards), Howard Cloud (bass), John Bartlit (drums), Tomas White (percussion), and special guest Tony Quinones (congas). Frank gives a special shout out to César Bauvallet for horn arrangements through the years. “His fingerprints are all over my music,” says Frank.
Frank’s newest music, a paean to reggae, was a long time in the making. “Ten years ago, I was faced with a health crisis that inspired me to write these reflective songs. I have always been a fan of reggae music and decided to dedicate the whole album to reggae grooves with a world beat tinge,” he says. Frank wasn’t happy with the tracks he originally laid down and shelved the project. Meanwhile, a former student, Mike Love, an up-and-coming reggae star who studied steel drum as a child with Frank in Hawaii, got in touch and invited Frank to play on his second album. He helped motivate Frank to resurrect the shelved project and appears on the album. The 10 tracks on It Seems Like Yesterday are full of peace and gratitude and include a moving portrait of Pilar on the song “She’s Free,” which includes a Cuban Montuno and a tres.
Frank assembled another superlative list of musicians for the project: Frank (vocals, steel pan, percussion), Mike Love (vocals), César Bauvallet (trombone, horn arrangements), Bo Razon (guitar, tres, cavaquinho), Bert Dalton (keyboards), Howard Cloud (bass), Arnaldo Acosta (drums), Maria Leto (background vocals). “It’s also rewarding to have my daughter, Maria, singing backup vocals. She and Mike were classmates at the school in Hawaii. This truly is a family affair,” Frank says.
You will be able to buy the album at the Carnaval event, and once it’s officially released, you’ll find it on Frank’s website and on the usual streaming services. Keep your eyes open for the CD release party.
Carnaval 2024: Comunidade
Friday, February 9, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque
Tickets: $17, $22, $27
with a $2 discount for seniors,
children 12 years old and younger,
and NHCC members
For tickets or more information, go here.
Check out the limited-edition T-shirts and
fridge magnets at the Musically Speaking store.
Your support is much appreciated.
© 2024 Mel Minter