Claudia © Howard A. Gitelson

Born and raised in Chile, Claudia Acuna knew early on that she wanted to be a singer. She began by singing Chilean folk and pop music and later tried rock, fusion and opera before discovering jazz. Acuna moved to Santiago and headed for the one jazz club in town. She made a name for herself in the small Santiago jazz scene and was featured on the club's live radio broadcast. Musicians told her she was a born jazz singer and she began sitting in with them, including with such foreign jazz stars as Wynton Marsalis, Michel Petrucciani, Joe Lovano and Danilo Perez.

Acuna decided she had to move to New York City if she were to fully explore jazz and make her way in the music. Not knowing much English, her goals were to learn th language, visit the legendary Village Vanguard and join in on jam sessions. She did all three and soon became a fixture at Small's, the influential jazz club in the Village at the time which recently closed. At Small's she jammed regularly and befriended many musicians including Jason Lindner, now her pianist, collaborator and friend. But it was her job as a coat check girl at the Blue Note that provided Acuna with her highest-profile jam opportunity - a chance to sing in front of Betty Carter, one of her idols. Afterwards Carter came up to Acuna and proclaimed, "Surprise, surprise, the coat check girl can sing. " And after five years in New York City, Verve Records signed the coat check girl and issued to well-received recordings: Wind from the South and Rhythm of Life.

Claudia performs at Dizzy's on July 11-16 with a group featuring Featuring Claudia Acuna, vocals; Jason Lindner, piano; Juancho Herrera, guitar; Omer Avital, bass; El Satoshi, drums.

Born in Durham, N.C., Grady Tate began singing at age four and he began playing drums at age five. For the past three decades his distinctive sound has graced literally hundreds of recordings with world-renowned artists such as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Pearl Bailey, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Della Reese, Sarah Vaughan, Michael LeGrand, Lalo Schrifin, and Andre Previn. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a degree in English literature/drama and a minor in Psychology. He taught English and Speech in Washington, DC, but his desire to pursue an acting career lead him to New York City and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Once in New York, however, his reputation as an outstanding musician resulted in work with Quincy Jones.

Singing is also a natural talent of Mr. Tate. After the legendary Peggy Lee heard him sing and introduced him as a part of her show, his musical dimension expanded radically. He has been described as "the best singer to emerge from the ranks of instrumentalists since Nat Cole." His most recent CDs as a vocalist are TNT-Grady Tate Sings and Body and Soul (Milestone). Mr. Tate received two Grammy nominations as "Best Male Pop Vocalist" (1973 and 1989). The Manhattan Association of Cabaret Singers recognized him as "Outstanding Male Jazz/Blues Vocalist." Mr. Tate performed six years as drummer for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. He served as assistant conductor and drummer for Broadway shows Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music, and Black and Blue. Mr. Tate has been on the Howard University faculty since 1989. Grady Tate performs at Dizzy's on July 18-23 whti a group featuring: Grady Tate, vocals; Wilson "Chembo" Corneil, congas/percussion; Montez Coleman, drums; Lance Murphy, tenor saxophone; Ray Gallon, piano; Paul West, bass .

On July 25-30 the Latin in Manhattan Festival will present a Celebration of Ray Barretto & Hilton Ruiz featuring tenor David Sanchez & Chris Barretto, tenor saxophones; Sonny Fortune, alto saxophone; Joe Magnarelli, trumpet; John DiMartino, piano; John Benitez, bass; Vince Cherico, drums; and special guest Vicente "Little Johnny" Rivero, congas & percussion.

Ray Barretto, one of the most profilic and influental Latin percussionists in the history of modern jazz, makes an invaluable addition to his extensive recording legacy with the release of "My Summertime". With a musical heritage as deeply rooted in the bebop jam sessions held in Harlem during the late-'40s as in his Puerto Rican ancestry, Barretto has spent over four decades refining the integration of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the improvisational elements of jazz. Ray Barretto died on Friday, February 17, 2006 at a New Jersey hospital, a family spokesman said. He was 76.

Hilton Ruiz

Dizzy's Latin In Manhattan Festival Schedule:

Tue-Sun, July 11-16
• Latin In Manhattan Festival: Claudia Acuna & Friends
• Featuring Claudia Acuna, vocals; Jason Lindner, piano; Juancho Herrera, guitar; Omer Avital, bass; El Satoshi, drums.

Mon, July 17
• UPSTARTS! Latin in Manhattan Festival
• Featuring Ileana Santamaria and her Orchestra.

Tue-Sun, July 18-23
• Latin in Manhattan Festival: Grady Tate & Latin Flavor
• Featuring Grady Tate, vocals; Wilson "Chembo" Corneil, congas/percussion; Montez Coleman, drums; Lance Murphy, tenor saxophone; Ray Gallon, piano; Paul West, bass .

Mon, Jul 24
• Upstarts!
• Featuring Ada Rovatti Quintet.

Tue-Sun, July 25-30
• Latin in Manhattan Festival:
• Celebration of Ray Barretto & Hilton Ruiz
• Featuring David Sanchez & Chris Barretto, tenor saxophones; Sonny Fortune, alto saxophone; Joe Magnarelli, trumpet; John DiMartino, piano; John Benitez, bass; Vince Cherico, drums; and special guest Vicente "Little Johnny" Rivero, congas & percussion.

All performances are at Dizzy's Club, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on Broadway at 60th Street - 5th Floor.