Orquesta Akokán play Cuban mambo in a manner drawn from Latin dance bands of the 1940s and ’50s a la Beny More, Perez Prado, and Machito. The word Akokan comes from the Yoruban phrase “from the heart,” and this big band, featuring members from New York, Miami, and Havana, play pre-salsa horns, percussion, and stringed instruments with passion and vitality. The group came together when multi-instrumentalist and producer Jacob Plasse, arranger and piano player Michael Eckroth, and vocalist Jose “Pepito” Gomez flew to Cuba, and Gomez, with the assistance of Cuban sax player Cesar Lopez, convinced the other two that they could put together a band to play mambos in Havana. Their 2021 album 16 Rayos is largely busy with up-tempo, brass- and percussion-filled rhythms, but they slow down on occasion, and the proficient playing on both song styles reward seated listening and dancing alike. Cuban singer Kiko Ruiz will be taking Gomez’s place on this tour, and the band are expected to include songs from their upcoming album that is due out this summer. Orquesta Akokán play at 8 p.m. on April 10 at Hamilton Live. thehamiltondc.com. $25- $40. —Steve Kiviat
Orquesta Akokán, April 10
