Thursday Night Jazz: Salsamba’s Tribute to Cal Tjader ft. Chris Barrick

In this vibrant Thursday Night Jazz concert curated by bass icon Paul Thompson, Pittsburgh-based Latin jazz quintet Salsamba and special guest Chris Barrick take to the stage to honor the life and music of jazz icon Cal Tjader.

“2025 celebrates the 100th birthday of the late, great vibraphonist Cal Tjader. Known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician, he is firmly established as one of the great jazz artists of the 20th century, having worked with Dave Brubeck, George Shearing, Oliver Nelson, and others before going on to play with Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez, Airto, and many others to help establish Latin Jazz music around the world. His music is important, grooving, and timeless.” —Paul Thompson

Salsamba and Chris Barrick will perform original arrangements of some of the tunes Cal Tjader made famous, including “Sabor,” “Vive Cepeda,” and “Soul Sauce.”

Featured Musicians:

Eric Susoeff: guitar

George Jones: congas

Eric DeFade: flute, saxophone

Paul Thompson: bass

Thomas Wendt: drums

Chris Barrick: vibraphone

About the Artists:

Salsamba is a Latin jazz quintet that fuses authentic Latin-American rhythms with the harmonic and melodic sophistication of contemporary American jazz. Based in Pittsburgh, Salsamba performs at clubs, festivals, and colleges throughout the United States. The group has opened for many national and international stars, including Latin jazz king Tito Puente as well as guitarists John Scofield and Stanley Jordan. The group, capable of many musical moods, entertains its listeners with percussive and melodic improvisation of the highest quality. Salsamba, larger than the sum of five musicians, remains committed to both traditional integrity and daring innovation.

Chris Barrick is a percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, drummer, and educator with a wide variety of experience in multiple genres of music. As an orchestral percussionist, he has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, The Washington Chorus, the Cincinnati Ballet New Works Series, the Lexington Philharmonic, and the Evansville Philharmonic. He has performed in extended theater productions and shows with the Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), the Kennedy Center, and Signature Theater.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit Open Table or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.