Join us for a free gallery reception on Thursday, October 15, from 6 PM - 8 PM at the WBGO Art Gallery. View the exhibit, meet the artist, and enjoy live entertainment from David Oquendo & Havana 3.

Local New Jersey artist Erich Lugo Padilla captures the musicality, playfulness and performance of the musicians and music that he paints. His art work has an emotional overture and tone of musicians playing the amazing music that we all loved throughout the years. For fifteen years Padilla has been befriending and thoughtfully painting these players and composing a body of work for all to enjoy.

The canvas comes alive when Padilla exemplifies “Chocolate” Armenteros playing his silver trumpet; Graciela swaying to a moody bolero; Paquito D’Rivera jamming to a hearty Bossa Nova (in triplicate). Padilla’s work conveys the essence, sultriness and eloquence of legendary singers Beny More, Las Hermanas Marquez and Machito, including Herman Olivera.

Communicating across generations of music and musicians, Padilla depicts Chico O’Farrill passing the torch to his son, the dazzling pianist and maestro Arturo O’Farrill; the incendiary playing of “Thunder Drums” (Patato Valdes, Tata Guines and Giovanni Hidalgo); the folkloric dancing beat of David Oquendo and Raices Habaneras; the legendary Cachao thumping his bass; Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie “Bird” Parker, Chano Pozo, Mario Bauza and others shaking the Apollo theatre & re-defining jazz; Manny Oquendo & Andy Gonzalez taking a “Libre” moment in time; while Mongo and Candido are having a dueling cacophony.

Also displayed will be the timpani of the magical Tito Puente, “la Bemba Colorada” Celia along side of “el judio maravilloso” Larry Harlow and his All-Stars including Yomo Toro and Bobby Sanabria; and with the elfin magic of the great Cuban classic pianist Marco Rizo to the mad genius of Eddie Palmieri along with many other legendary and amazing musicians and dancers like the “fleet footed, en clave” Cuban Pete and Milly Donay at the Palladium.

Many of Padilla’s pieces are autographed by the musicians that Padilla is honoring through his work, making each a one of a kind piece.

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For more information about the artist, visit www.erichpadilla.com

Join us for refreshments, entertainment and meet Erich Lugo Padilla, as well as other surprise guests, at our Gallery Reception in the WBGO studio, Thursday, October 15th from 6 - 8 pm.

It's free and open to the public.

You can also visit the WBGO gallery during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM.

Special thanks to our sponsors Barefoot Cellars, E&J Distillers and Whole Foods.