Latin jazz ensemble celebrates 25 years in Flathead Valley

Cocinando, the Flathead Valley’s 13-member Latin jazz orchestra, kicks off its summer schedule at the Stonefly Lounge, Saturday at 9 p.m. The show will mark 25 years of band performances, including stops throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Founder Mark Holston started the band to bring the group’s unique repertoire — Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean music — to a region far from Latin America. Since its founding, Cocinando has played with three symphony orchestras in Montana, and been a part of artist-in-residence programs, concerts and workshops for schools in Polson, Columbia Falls, Fortine, Eureka, Condon and Seeley-Swan.

“The really impressive thing about Cocinando’s success is that we insist on performing, to the very best of our ability, original arrangements made famous by the biggest names in this style of Latin music,” Holston said in a press release.

“We want to be hot, a bit raw and, most importantly, authentic to the core. Our audience loves the repertoire although much of what we perform is fairly unfamiliar ... It’s hardcore Latin all the way, with a good measure of jazz.”

This summer’s Cocinando lineup includes newcomer Emily Baker (vocals) along with Neil Batterson (percussion), Grant Sorlie (vibraphone), Marcy Holston (keyboard), Dave Bailon (saxophone), Marty Weimer (trombone), Mike Atherton (bass), Kurt Weber (bass), Jeff Groschupf (saxophone), Karen Ulmer (saxophone), Josh Forke (trombone), Angel “Tito” Rosario (vocals/percussion), Judy Lawrence (singer) and band leader Dave Lawrence.

HERE’S A look at Cocinando’s complete summer schedule:

June 17 — Stonefly Lounge, Coram. 9 p.m.

July 13 — Marantette Park, Columbia Falls, 7:30 p.m.

July 16 — Far West Cruise on Flathead Lake, Lakeside. 7 p.m.

July 30 — Riverbend Concert at Sliter Park, Bigfork. 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 — Columbia Falls Community Market, Columbia Falls. 5 p.m.