John Roberts Y Pan Blanco Will Make You Feel Like Dancin'

SEELEY LAKE - Please join Alpine Artisans' 2 Valleys Stage at the Seeley Lake Community Hall March 25, 3 p.m. for the rousing rhythms of John Roberts y Pan Blanco. The group is an ensemble of energetic musicians that inspires the audience to dance and enjoy life! You'll hear vocals in Spanish, English and Portuguese as the group melds high-energy Funk, African and Latin grooves with soulful instrumental solos aimed at sharing musical and cultural diversity with the audience. The family-friendly band continuously performs at festivals, concerts, clubs and educational clinics-and now in Seeley Lake!

Band leader John Roberts grew up in rural Montana and began playing piano and trombone at a young age. After graduating from Montana State University-Billings in Music Performance, he moved to Los Angeles to earn his Master of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts. John has been touring, recording and performing in the U.S. and around the world, including Mexico, India, Asia, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia and Africa. He currently teaches at Montana State University Billings as a Jazz, music theory, low brass and world music instructor.

John's love of Cuban and Latin rhythms inspired him to spend time in Cuba immersed in the culture and history. The show in Seeley Lake will begin with an introduction by John on how Latin music has impacted musical styles in North America, a bit of history and cultural background.

Y Pan Blanco band members hail from all parts of Montana and have formed a cohesive, masterful group that will present music to move by!

Merle Roberts, from Bozeman, was born into a household full of guitars, pianos, fiddles, banjos, and accordions and fell in love with making music at a young age. Playing bass and the Tres Cubano instrument in y Pan Blanco has led to a love for the roots rhythms of Africa and Cuba.

Matthew Devitt, from Billings, plays drum set and timbales. Matt has been a musician and instructor in the Northwest area for more than 20 years.

Cody Hollow, a percussionist from Missoula, is also a vocalist with the band. Cody is currently teaching 5-12th grade music in Townsend, Mont.

Sax player for Y Pan Blanco is Sam White. Sam is a tenor sax specialist, comfortable in Jazz and other commercial styles. After several years in New York City, he found his home in Helena.

Raphael Lopez makes his home in Billings and plays guitar and bass. After some years performing and studying in Northern California, Raphael moved back to Billings to teach and perform with John Roberts y Pan Blanco and other Montana bands.

Altogether, this talented group presents a musical motivation that is sure to have the audience on their feet, clapping and cheering for more. As their website states...the ultimate goal of the music is to get the listener moving!

Get ready to MOVE, Sunday, March 25, 3 p.m. See you at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. Tickets at the door are $14; $12 for seniors. As always, kids 18 and under are free with an adult.