At around 8:30 in the evening we headed over to Le Café, a French style bistro located at 7295 Biscayne Blvd, also known as the heart of the new MIMO (Miami Modern) district, to listen to some Jazz. We weren’t sure what to expect, but according to the email flyer we got days earlier, two time Grammy nominated percussionist, Sammy Figueroa, was going to be there. When we pulled into the parking lot close to 9:00, I was surprised to see that there weren’t a lot of cars there. I thought maybe everyone would show up later; not a big deal in Miami.

When we walked inside, upbeat Latin jazz filled my ears. We sat down at a small table and ordered some food. On the opposite right side of the entrance was the famed Sammy Figueroa. I have heard of him before but not in depth. As the night progressed I was not only mesmerized by his sounds, I realized that I was in the presence of greatness. To Sammy’s right was Joe Teskie (a student of improvisational music and friend of Le Café). Together they were jamming. I could not believe that the place was not slammed with people. But at the same time, I was thrilled that it wasn’t. Sammy Figueroa is regarded as one of the leading percussionists in the musical world and the dozen or so of us there were getting a personal concert. How lucky were we? He has appeared on tours and albums with the Brecker Brothers, Average White Band, Morrissey - Mullen, John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis. Amazing isn’t it? Well below is a very short list of other people he has appeared with:
 

Sonny Rollins
Quincy Jones
Grover Washington, Jr.
Al Jarreau, Lena Horne
Dave Valentin
Arturo Sandoval
Bobby Valentin
Mariah Carey
Mick Jagger
Blues Traveler
Whitney Houston
Anita Baker
Aretha Franklin