Perú Negro
March 15, 8 p.m., $24-48
Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood, 310.825.2101
For nearly 40 years, Perú Negro has been exposing the world to Afro-Peruvian music and dance. Over the decades, the group has swelled from 12 people to more than 30 members and rose to international acclaim after the band’s inclusion on the 1995 compilation The Soul of Black Peru. Combining a unique rhythmic approach utilizing such instruments as a collection box and a donkey jaw with stunning dance moves, Perú Negro will make for a captivating evening.
Cassorla, Bruno Mars, Young Church
March 19, 8:30 p.m., $5
Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Boulevard, 310.393.6611When lifelong jazz fan Ben Cassorla pumped out a string of songs on an upright piano in Harlem, he put together an eclectic ensemble to record the numbers. The resulting effort, What With, was released last September and is a collection of rock-tinged jazz and soul numbers. Although recorded with a full band, Cassorla is touring the album primarily with singer-songwriter Krystal Warren, and the duo will be joined by special guests in each city. For Cassorla’s date at the Temple Bar, the pianist and singer will be joined by hip-hop legend Slick Rick and drummer Ben Riley (Thelonious Monk, Alice Coltrane, Stan Getz). Hip-hop artist Young Church and soul singer Bruno Mars are also set to play
