Roots & Shoots Concert: Pablo Shine Latin Jazz Band

Founded in 2018, Pablo Shine Latin Jazz Band’s repertoire includes tunes by Latin jazz legends, such as Cal Tjader, Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, and Tito Puente. Band members include Pablo Shine (conga drums and minor percussion), Rick Altman (songwriter and musical director on vibes), John Dreschler (upright bass), and Paul Anthony Duffy (keyboard).

Pablo Shine was born in Puerto Rico, where he was exposed from an early age to live Latin music. His uncle taught him the basic tumbao—the rhythm that’s the life blood of salsa and Latin jazz. He kept learning the different Afro-Latino rhythms by watching and/or listening to congueros, such as Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barreto, and Eladio Perez. Later, after moving to Kingston, NY, he studied Afro-Cuban folkloric and religious music under master percussionist Nadhir Velez. In addition to his own group, he has played extensively with other local bands, including Passero, Free River, and Stephen Johnson’s Future 350 Nu Bossa.

Rick Altman is a vibes and marimba player, composer, arranger, and music director. His jazz journey began in 1970 with legendary big band vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, who remains Altman’s primary source of information and inspiration.

Upright bass player John Drechsler performs regularly at numerous venues throughout the Hudson valley and on recordings with many of the area’s exceptional musicians. In addition to playing with the Pablo Shine Latin Jazz Band, he currently performs jazz standards from the American Songbook in a duo format with vocalist Megan Henry.

Keyboard player Paul Anthony Duffy is a jazz musician living in Ulster County, NY. He was born in Ireland, and has been playing piano in bands since he was 12. He is currently working on an album of jazz standards and employed at the Music Dept. of Bard College as a staff accompanist.