Chan Centre Connects Series: Calle 54

Presented by The Chan Centre Connects Series and Pacific Cinémathèque

“As much a thrill to watch as it is to listen to” (Peter Howell, Toronto Star), Spanish director Fernando Trueba’s Calle 54 is a vibrant, loving, music-filled tribute to some of the greatest Latin jazz artists of our time. Enraptured viewers have compared Trueba’s wonderful film to two other glorious music documentaries, Buena Vista Social Club (screened in our Chan Centre Connects series earlier this year) and The Last Waltz. Whether it’s created in hot backstreet clubs or recording studios from Miami to Havana, the Bronx to Andalusia, the pulsating sounds of Latin jazz capture the heart and soul of an entire culture. Calle 54 features Latin legends in a series of extraordinary performances; their immense musical talents weave an innovative tapestry of sound, style, and rhythm that becomes a passionate celebration of life. Trueba also directed the Academy Award-winning Belle Epoch (Best Foreign Language Film, 1993) and, more recently, co-directed the Oscar-nominated animated feature Chico and Rita. The great artists showcased here include the late “godfather of Latin music” Tito Puente, barefoot Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias, Argentinean tenor sax great Gato Barbieri, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdés, and many more! “A landmark musical tribute” (Rolling Stone). 105 mins.

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This special screening of Calle 54 has been organized in conjunction with the Chan Centre’s presentation of multiple-Grammy Award-winner Chucho Valdés, "the Dean of Latin Jazz" (New York Times), who performs with his Quintet at the Chan on Friday, November 2 at 8:00pm.

The Chan Centre Connects Series presents outreach activities related to visiting artists performing in the annual concert season at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC.

www.chancentre.com