Album Notes

Chevere de Chicago is Chicago's hottest Latin/Jazz/Everything Band. Founded in the late 1970's by Costa Rican drummer and percussionist Alejo Poveda, the band has thrilled Chicago audiences for more than 25 years with an electrifying blend of musical styles from Afro-Cuban to Brasilian, Funk, and Blues.
Now, for the first time, there is a cd of Chevere's music available on Balkan Samba Records. The cd is called "Secret Dream". Many of the tunes are composed by their Grammy Award - winning music director Howard Levy, who plays piano and harmonica in the band. Several others are by guitarist Ernie Denov, including the title track, which starts the cd off with a thundering batucada percussion intro.
Chevere's two percussionists, Joe Rendon on congas and Ruben Alvarez (timbales, bongos, pandeiro, etc.) are two of the Midwest's finest and have played with many top Latin artists. On sax/flute is Steve Eisen, one of Chicago's top studio players. On trumpet is Mark Ohlsen, a veteran of many big bands, a fearless soloist, and also the mix engineer for the cd.
On an array of keyboards including B3, Fender Rhodes, and Mini Moog is the inimitable Chris "Hambone" Cameron, who tours regularly with Sonia Dada. On bass and vocals is Eric Hochberg, who has played with many top Jazz and Pop artists. And driving the band with irrepressible enthusiasm is Alejo Poveda on drums. Together, the nine musicians generate tremendous energy and musical joy.