Grammy nominated Latin Jazz Guitarist Luis Villegas & Band to perform at Ureni in LA

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Over the past 15 years since he first appeared at the La Ve Lee Jazz Club in Studio City, Grammy nominated Latin jazz guitarist Luis Villegas has built a devoted following. So when the club´s owner, Karina Pisto, recently decided to take on booking performers for the Ureni Restaurant and Nightclub in Los Angeles as well, she didn´t hesitate to contact Villegas.

Villegas and his band will perform at the club – which specializes in serving fine international cuisine – on Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. throughout the month of October, beginning October 9. Members of the band include vocalist Jose Garcia, Pablo Correa on percussion, bass player Juan Carlos Portillo and Alberto Salas on piano.

"We´re thrilled to have Luis and his quintet with us as we embark upon our newest venture," says Pisto. "La Ve Lee is widely viewed as one of the top jazz clubs in Los Angeles, and our goal is for the Ureni to earn an equally renowned reputation for its live performances, too. An artist of Luis´ caliber will certainly help us make that happen."

Jazz reviewers nationwide share Pisto´s high opinion of Villegas, whose debut CD, Café Ole, earned him a Grammy nomination. The Tucson Weekly described Villegas as "the Carlos Santana of Spanish guitar" while Daily Vault Album Reviews claimed, "Villegas and his band easily prove that they have the talent worthy of stardom."

But, as Villegas sees it, the real star at his October appearances at the Ureni is the nightclub itself. "It´s a grand opening, an inauguration, a party!" he says with a smile. "We´ll play lots of upbeat, danceable music in the style of the Gipsy Kings. Anything goes!"

Villegas will also perform excerpts from his soon to be released CD, The New Brown Sound. The title is an homage to the ´brown sound´ that had its roots in East LA, where Villegas grew up. "The best way to describe it is to say it´s jazz mixed with rock and Latin rhythms," Villegas explains.

The Ureni Restaurant and Nightclub is located at 1345 Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. To make reservations for Villegas´ performances, which includes a cover charge of $10/person, call 323.666.4686. For more information about the Ureni Restaurant and Nightclub, visit www.urenibanquet.com.

More information on Luis Villegas, his upcoming performances and new recording can be found at www.luisvillegas.com.