Duke E. Brown For brassy jazz and blues, the gala will feature Duke E. Brown, an eight-piece band with its roots in R&B, blues, and funk. DEB, which has a three-piece brass section and features Steve Santos on lead guitar and vocals, has opened for such groups as Dr. John, B. B. King, and Los Lonely Boys. This talented group is known for its lively performances of familiar favorites and original work.
Eddie Olivares Jr. Quartet Also adding to the celebration will be the Eddie Olivares Jr. Quartet, which will provide a Latin blend that fuses various styles and cultural origins. This smooth but high-spirited music will be driven by Olivares's tenor sax, which is highly regarded across South Texas.
Steel Vibrations The sounds of the Caribbean--from reggae to soca (a derivative of calypso)--will come from the authentic steel-drum instrumentals of the trio known as Steel Vibrations. Group members are the Perry family, now living in Houston, who came to the U.S. from Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of the steelpan and a major setting for Carnival celebrations. Steel Vibrations has performed throughout the U.S. at such events as the Houston Caribbean Festival, Fiesta in the Park in Orlando, and Island Fest in Kalamazoo, Michigan.