Ray of Sunlight

Pablo Sanhueza is on a mission to bridge the Latin-jazz and hip-hop scenes in Kansas City. The 29-year-old percussionist and singer is best-known for his contributions to the 11-piece ensemble Makuza, the house band for Latin dance nights at the Westport Beach Club and Californos. Sanhueza’s newest endeavor is Luz d’ Sol (“Ray of Sunlight,” for all you gringos), a seven-piece Latin jazz ensemble that draws from contemporary funk and hip-hop while rearranging standards from Puerto Rican crossover icons such as Ray Barretto and Mongo Santamaria. The result is something akin to Manu Chao jamming with the Fania All Stars: unrestrained joy with mucho percussion and seriously funky breaks. With Sanhueza already etching out plans to collaborate with local MC Brother of Moses, Luz d’ Sol’s debut performance this evening at Jardine’s (4536 Main, 816-561-6480) could yield some synergistic mágico. The free show starts at 11:30 p.m. Jardine's
Sat., Oct. 6, 11:30 p.m., 2007