JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY RECAP: The Richard Peña Group Plus Piraguas Y Piropos Perform at FSC by Harvey Tillis

May 13 2025 - Piraguas Y Piropos actively perform Jibaro Music (also known as Puerto Rican Folkloric Traditional Music) in Chicago. Outside of its presence in mainland Puerto Rico, the music they play is not only an act of performance but an essential piece of keeping alive a severely underrepresented form of music. Jose Carrasquillo cuatro, Marcos Rios guitar,  and Tommy Carroll percussion with Victor Junito Gonzalez conga.

Guitarist, composer, and educator Richard Peña is a rising force in Latin jazz, blending Afro-Caribbean traditions with modern jazz innovation. Richard Peña guitar, Neil Carson sax, Freddie Quintero bass, Jonathon Wenzel drums & cymbals, and Victor Junito Gonzalez conga.

Visual artist Alex Puryear created original art in response to the music.

All photos by Harvey Tillis

ABOUT:

Harvey Tillis is a documentary still photographer with a fine art eye available for recording sessions, environmental portraits, and creative projects. Contact him at harveytillisphotography.com

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