Musicians perform in 90 Miles, a tribute band formed to play the music of Gloria Estefan. The band will be performing at the Historic Artcraft Theatre on July 23.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The rhythm is gonna get you.
When the 90 Miles band gets going, and the percussion kicks in, you can’t help but start to groove. Electrifying guitar and creeping bass lines only add to the effect.
The tropical sounds of Gloria Estefan are coming to Johnson County. 90 Miles, a tribute to Estefan’s infectious Latin-infused music, will perform a special concert on July 23 at the Historic Artcraft Theatre. The event is led by Cuban percussionist and band leader Juan Carlos Santos, who’s backed by lineup of world-class musicians hailing from Nashville, Tennessee.
To handle Estefan’s expansive vocals, Indiana native Heather Dawson will bring her captivating voice and powerful presence to the stage.
“We’re basing it off of (Estefan’s) live shows — her arrangements and what we’re playing. You’ll see some dancing, you’ll see us all over the stage, and bring that good energy to people,” said Jerry Navarro, a local musician and producer who organized the show. ”Hopefully we’ll get people up and dancing. It’s not required, but the music will make you.”
Navarro has put together this concert as part of an ongoing effort to bring more renowned musical acts to Franklin and central Indiana. The accomplished bassist, music producer and composer recently moved to the area from Nashville, where he had studied music performance and composition at Belmont University before becoming ingrained in the city’s famed music scene.
He has shared the stage with artists ranging from Bon Jovi to Dave Matthews to George Clinton.
Since arriving in Indiana, Navarro’s focus has been on Soundspace Label Group, a membership-based record label offers world-class professional music services at lower risk and lower cost to artists. Working with local leaders such as Rob Shilts, executive director at Franklin Heritage, Franklin mayor Steve Barnett and director of community development Krista Linke, he has organized performances to show off some of the label’s talent.
“I’m trying to assimilate and bring some of the good things that have made Nashville such a vibrant city to Indiana, because it has the same kind of qualifiers,” Navarro said. ”Rob and the whole city seem to want that.”
This performance will be a continuation of that mission.
“It’s a part of trying to bring high-level entertainment to Franklin, Indiana,” he said. “This is a loose arrangement we’re trying to make solid between myself and Franklin. The mission to me to is bring outside entertainment to the city.”
Scheduling 90 Miles to perform is one of the most high-profile examples of that mission to date.
At the heart of band is Santos. Born in Havana, he has been performing as a percussionist since he was 7 years old. Santos trained under Cuban master Danny Perez, and has worked with artists such as Celia Cruz, the Temptations, Boney James and Kirk Whalum.
To round out 90 Miles, Santos brought in 14 musicians to channel Estefan’s energetic music. The lineup is equally at home performing Latin rhythms as it is bursting out the pop anthems that made Estefan one of the world’s most popular musicians. Navarro himself will be playing bass guitar in the show.
“Some of the people in the band are Grammy Award-winning players. So it’s a big deal in turn of the players here,” he said.
Audience members will have the chance to be part of something special during the performance. 90 Miles has planned a special video recording of the show, and in an effort to showcase the vibrant and supportive community of Franklin, Navarro is asking ticketholders to arrive early and show their love for live music.
Following the show, the band will host a meet-and-greet, allowing people to talk music, get some photos and maybe an autograph or two.
“A lot of people like music that’s familiar, so we want to bring in a good cover band and hoping people enjoy that,” Navarro said.
IF YOU GO
“The Music of Gloria Estefan”
What: A live musical experience featuring 90 Miles, a band specializing in Estefan’s energetic sound.
When: 4 p.m. July 23; doors open at 3.
Where: Historic Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St., Franklin
Tickets: $20
