This event has past! To get invites to upcoming events, sign up for updates!

Pablo Sanhueza at Finest Folk First Fridays

June 5, 2026 at 6pm CT

sign-up Watch Recording

Add this event to your calendar:

google calendar ical (outlook, etc.)facebook event

June 5 • Doors at 5:45 pm • Music at 6 pm‍

2018 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108

About Pablo Sanhueza

Pablo Sanhueza is an international percussionist, bandleader, and educator who has spent over two decades as a pivotal force in the Latin American musical landscape of the Midwestern United States. Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, he arrived in Kansas City in 1996. Since then, he has worked with three generations of musicians, sharing the stage with legends like Bobby Watson, Poncho Sanchez, Bobby Sanabria, and David Valentin, and performing at world-renowned events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival. As the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra and the Latin Jazz Institute, Sanhueza has built a vital bridge between traditional Afro-Latin rhythms and contemporary jazz, ensuring that the heritage of the Mambo and Big Band eras continues in the heart of America.

Sanhueza’s influence extends far beyond jazz, as he is equally recognized for his deep commitment to preserving and advancing Latin American folkloric traditions. A master artist for the Missouri Traditional Arts Apprentice program and a Living Traditions Fellow for Missouri Folk Arts, he has also dedicated himself to the study and performance of Afro-Chilean and Afro-Andino traditions through immersive research and the Chile-Kansas City Jazz Exchange. His work explores the intersection of Latin American folk and contemporary global aesthetics, particularly through the lens of the Nueva Canción repertoire and the Canto Nuevo movement. One cornerstone of his folkloric contribution was his contemporary interpretation of Violeta Parra's work at the centennial homage concert with the Orchestra Folklórica Experimental Latino Americana (OFELA). This performance showcased his ability to breathe new life into Parra’s revolutionary compositions, blending traditional instrumentation with experimental textures to honor her legacy. By presenting this seminal work to Midwestern audiences, Sanhueza not only celebrated his upbringing within Chilean folk but also demonstrated its enduring relevance in a globalized musical context.

‍

sign-up for this Watch Recording