Tap one. Tap two. Tap three. Jazz music is heard as the men begin to blow into harmonicas, play the piano, and tap the drums. The Pregones Theater in the Bronx was playing Papo Vasquez and His Mighty Jazz Quartet on this Saturday night. The intimate setting was confirmed during breaks when the owner would talk to his audience personally and make jokes with them. Vasquez is also the one that seems to be the boss; getting up from his stool in the middle of the act when his role was not needed. All eyes were on him. The stage was hit up with fuchsia color lighting. He walked towards the back of the stage, on the right, there was a door. What was he doing? What was he carrying on the side? It looked like a diabetes pouch, someone suggested. The whole show was made up of 10 acts, with two intermissions. Both of which were spent with Papo and the owner entertaining the audience. Each instrument got a solo; revealing how different each man was able to work his instrument; outside from playing jazz. Looking around, it is evident the audience is filled with folks of an older generation, mostly Caucasian as well. They clap when the piano piece reaches it’s climax, they laugh when jokes are being made on stage, we laugh along, enjoying this moment together. Papo Vasquez and His Mighty Jazz Quartet is a show for people to experience an intimate jazz show with 5 minutes of comedy in between breaks.

Papo Vasquez and his Mighty Jazz Quartet performs at the Pregones Theater March 21st, 2015

*Editors Note*
A few weeks ago, we had Keila Peralta’s review of Papo Vasquez’s Mighty Pirates Troubadours. Jennifer Chiao was at the same show. This is the concert that Jennifer saw.