Route 66 Summerfest 2024: New Mexico Jazz Festival Stage featuring Songs without Purpose; Hillary Smith & Chillhouse; Son Como Son

5pm: Songs Without Purpose is a dynamic and innovative musical group that draws inspiration from Modern Jazz, Hip Hop, and Soul. This eclectic ensemble brings a fresh approach to their music that is rooted in traditional jazz while pushing the boundaries of genre fusion. With all musicians involved coming from different backgrounds and influences, Songs Without Purpose is creating music that is sonically captivating and exciting. The group features Alex Alunday, saxophone; Evan Fort, keyboard; Sidney Hollander, trumpet; Jonah Minkus, drums and bassist TBA.

6:15pm: Hillary Smith and Chillhouse. Fronted by New Mexico’s own soul queen, NM Hall of Fame recipient and vocalist extraordinaire, Hillary Smith, ChillHouse is known for their powerhouse blues originals, throwback soul and all things funky! Their energetic delivery and seamless performances have secured them a loyal fan base in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and are sure to get you onto the dance floor. Hillary Smith has been electrifying audiences in New Mexico and across the United States for more than 30 years. A native of Hobbs, New Mexico, her classically trained vocal instrument and deep soulfulness is rooted in the Gospel-driven churches of her youth and has been called “a natural wonder.” Smith has fronted a number of popular bands over the years, including the multi-award-winning Strictly Taboo, her award-winning Folk/Gospel inspired group hONeyhoUSe and with blues guitarist and singer Chris Dracup and Soul Kitchen. Chillhouse is guitarist Jim Casey; Robert “Milo” Jaramillo, bass; Glenn Kostur, saxophone; and JD Davis, drums.

7:45pm Son Como Son bills itself as Salsa Cuban Style. Founded in 1993, it is unquestionably one of Albuquerque’s longest-standing and most popular salsa ensembles, they play regularly to packed audiences comprising highly animated and dedicated, salseros at the NM Jazz Workshop’s Salsa Under the Stars Series, as well as at special concerts such as those at the Telluride Jazz Festival. They are directed by renowned trombonist, vocalist, percussionist, composer, and arranger César Bauvallet who moved from Havana, Cuba to Albuquerque in 1992. In addition to César Bauvallet, Son Como Son comprises some of Albuquerque’s most accomplished and busiest musicians. It's Kanoa Kaluhiwa, tenor sax; John Simms, Trumpet, background vocals; Mary Wommack, piano; Janet Harman, bass, background vocals; Víctor Rodríguez, bongos, lead vocals; Loren Lujan, lead vocals; Tomás White, drums; Ricky Carrido congas; and Danilo Bauvallet timbales.