August 12, 2005

Pueblo ALL-STARS perform at MegaByte Pizza

Ruben “Cafecito” Garcia and his Latin-jazz band “Pueblo” recently performed at MegaByte Pizza one hot but enjoyable evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Pueblo ALL-STARS, a Latin Jazz group, recently performed at MegaByte Pizza. Enjoy live music every Saturday night during the summer from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (408) 223-9991 or visit the Web site: www.megabytepizza.com.

The menu included sounds from Poncho Sanchez, Santana, Latin ballads, swing, R&B and jazz standards such as Satin Doll, Misty and others.

Garcia organized this local band as a project through the Mexican Heritage Plaza where he taught music classes as a volunteer. He studied music at San Jose State University and played with the Monterey Symphony as well as with Luis Valdez from Teatro Campesino and many local groups.

Garcia’s musical nickname “Cafecito” means “little coffee” or “light brown.” His fellow Latin jazz musicians gave him this nickname because they said his trumpet playing sounds like a legendary Cuban trumpet player whose nickname was “Chocolate.”

Members of the band include Eddar Lopez on conga, Chico Estevez on timbali, Ben Anjo on piano and Daniel Ernst on bass.

Garcia makes a living as a local financial planner with The Ameritas Acacia Co., where he specializes in planning for life insurance, estate planning and employee benefits.

Although music is a hobby for Ruben, the band is available for community functions, fundraisers, corporate events, weddings and private parties. For more information call (408) 903-6104.