Monsieur Periné

Latin Grammy-winning Colombian ensemble Monsieur Periné brings their singular hybrid of French jazz manouche with Latin American dance styles to SFJAZZ as part of their four-night residency. Led by vocalist Catalina García, the Bogotá-based group crafts a vibrant fusion that seamlessly blends Afro-Colombian cumbia, tango, danzón, bolero, and gypsy jazz into what they once called "suin a la colombiana" (Colombian-style swing).

Expect an evening that feels like traveling through musical eras and continents. The ensemble moves effortlessly from neo-bossa nova grooves that wouldn't be out of place in a Parisian café to classic 1930s gypsy swing sung in French and Spanish. They might add Andean charango to a piece that otherwise echoes Paul Desmond's "Take Five," or transform a tender bolero into an unexpected mambo via jazz guitar solos.

Live, Monsieur Periné creates an atmosphere of "serious fun" through García's engaging stage presence and the ensemble's choreographed dance moments. The brass section — featuring saxophone, clarinet, trombone, and bugle — often steals the show with synchronized kicks and playful audience interaction while hitting remarkable notes. García herself is a captivating performer, combining gracious Latin dance moves with a fiery attitude that spreads liberating energy throughout the venue.

The group doesn't take itself too seriously on stage, creating immediate intimacy and complicity with audiences. Everyone sings along and dances to the same beat in what reviewers describe as a cooperative atmosphere where the line between performer and audience blurs. Their shows often feature bursts of color, quirky tableaus, and moments where García addresses social issues, particularly around Latin American empowerment and unity.

As part of SFJAZZ's Summer Sessions, this performance showcases the evolution of a group that has grown from indie darlings to major-label artists while maintaining their subversive core and light-hearted approach to cultural boundary-crossing.