19

FRIDAY

Conguero Ray Barretto had a novelty hit called “El Watusi,” led the salsa label Fania’s house band, and did session work with the Rolling Stones. But since the late ’40s, this player’s been roughing up his fingers and palms playing jazz. Wowed by percussionist Chano Pozo’s contribution to Dizzy Gillespie’s take on “Manteca,” the Nuyorican began sitting in on Harlem jam sessions with Charlie Parker and Art Blakey. Blakey later asked Barretto to join his big band, and years later, in 2003, Barretto paid tribute to his late compadre with Homage to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Tastefully reverent, with the Latin influence downplayed, the disc splits the bop-derived solos evenly between Barretto and the horns, piano, and rhythm section. Not bad, but ideally Barretto’s chops will be more prominent live, displaying that late-night fervor that first brought him and Blakey together. The Ray Barretto Sextet plays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. $28. (202) 467-4600. (Steve Kiviat)