Quintet Group Jazzes Costa Rica

Circuitos Secuenciales, a Miami-based jazz quintet, kicked off its 10-day tour of Costa Rica on Monday.The quintet is visiting as part of an intercultural jazz program “95.Cinco JAZZ Beat at TEO,” organized by the Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center and 95.Cinco Jazz radio station.The program is aimed at promoting the development and education of jazz in Costa Rica.While the group was formed in Florida, its members come from throughout the Americas.Fernando Ulibarri, on guitar, and Rodolfo Zuñiga, on drums, are both from Costa Rica and met one other while attending college. Lasim Richards, the quintet’s trombone player, hails from the United States’ Virgin Islands, while bass player Carlos Iturralde is from Ecuador. Saxophonist Robert Havey Smiley, from Florida, rounds out the group.All members, with the exception of Ulibarri, met while studying music at Florida International University. Ulbarri attended Berkley College of Music. Their musical style is just as diverse as the band’s members.“I guess you’d describe us as contemporary jazz,” Zuñiga said. “We’re not really swing, but a combination of different styles with jazz.”“We’ll be playing some stuff from the Dave Holland’s quintet,” said Zuñiga, in trying to narrow down some of the group’s influences. “They have the same instruments as us.”People attending Circuitos Secuenciales’ gigs in Costa Rica can expect to hear the group playing its own compositions as well as pieces by other jazz ensembles.While participating in 95.Cinco JAZZ Beat at TEO, the group will be taking part in a series of workshops, performances and jam sessions.The cultural and educational presentations of Circuitos Secuenciales is being sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. On Monday, the band took part in a radio program taped for 95.Cinco Jazz, and followed it up with an open jam session Tuesday evening.Tonight at 7:30 p.m., Circuitos Secuenciales will be performing at the Eugene O’Neill Theater at the Cultural Center in Barrio Dent, 200 m. north of the Los Yoses gas station. Admission is ¢2,500, ¢2,000 students and seniors.For info. call 207-7555.The quintet will also be performing at Jazz Café on May 4 and 6, and at Café de Artistas on May 7.