Le Monde Quintet Brings Latin Flair to Appleton After Hours

~April 22, 2008

Le Monde Quintet, one of North Florida’s most exciting and up-and-coming Latin jazz bands, makes its After Hours debut at the Appleton Museum of Art of Central Florida Community College on Thursday, May 1.

After Hours takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Appleton, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Admission is $5 for museum members, $10 for nonmembers and includes the special exhibit, “Silver Springs: The Underwater World of Bruce Mozert.” The Appleton’s nonprofit event partner for the evening is the Marion County Building Industry Association.

Founded in 2005 by guitarist José Lebrón, Le Monde is French for “The World,” a name which describes the diverse ensemble’s focus on performing “international music with a Latin flair.”

Le Monde specializes in music from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Spain, including the mambo, bolero, merengue, Flamenco Rumba, samba and Bossa Nova.

Lebrón, lead guitarist/vocalist, is originally from Santurce, Puerto Rico, and began singing and playing when he was 10. Influenced by the music of José Feliciano, Chicago, Santana, and The Beatles, Lebrón’s approach to classic Latin music is also informed by his years of world travel while serving as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Now retired from the service, Lebrón describes himself as a “bohemian soul who happens to play guitar.”

Other Quintet “musicos” are Ramón Gomez, a U.S. Navy veteran and Latin percussionist who also began playing when he was 10 and who is also from Puerto Rico; Alfredo Oliveros, who plays bass and performs backup vocals, originally from Colombia; Felix Colon, the group’s conga and bongo drums player, from Puerto Rico; and vocalist Barbara Green from Pennsylvania.

Food and drink tickets are available at extra charge (cash only) with catering provided by the Gallery Square. Food service begins at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m. In the event of bad weather, the courtyard performance will take place in the museum’s auditorium.

After Hours’ Community Partner is Ocala.com and is supported in part by Party Time Rental. The Appleton Museum of Art is owned and operated by Central Florida Community College. For information, call the museum at 352-291-4455, ext. 1835, or visit the Web site at www.appletonmuseum.org.