John A. Díaz- Cortés and the Folklorika Arkestra
8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, The Laughing Goat, 1709 Pearl St., Boulder, 303- 440-4628.
Influenced by eclectic and infamous artists such as Duke Ellington, Philip Glass, Charles Mingus, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Strayhorn, Claude Debussy and Bjork, John A. Díaz-Cortés creates an equally eclectic sound with his own music. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1987, this young virtuoso spent the early part of his life immersed in the sounds of the Latin American church. Shortly after receiving his first saxophone, Díaz-Cortés began playing in local salsa bands and learning the popular repertoire of the Caribbean and Latin America. He formed the Folklorika Arkestra in 2009, an ensemble dedicated to presenting American roots and art music — storytellers of the community.
