Jimmy Patton (l) and Enrique Platas (r)
Sue Palmer
Liz Ajuzie
Walt Richards
Friday, May 23, 2025
7:30 PM
This concert is underwritten by the Sleet Music Performance Fund in memory of San Diegans Don Sleet (jazz trumpeter), Marshall Sleet (band leader and composer), Anna Mae Sleet (vocalist), and Jeffery Sleet (concert cellist).
On Friday, May 23, the series continues with Jimmy and Enrique, Sue Palmer and Liz Ajuzie, and Walt Richards. Guitarist Jimmy Patton and percussionist Enrique Platas blend flamenco, Middle Eastern, salsa, calypso, Brazilian, and other world rhythms into their fiery, virtuosic performances. Their unique world-music style captivates audiences with intricate guitar passages and exotic percussive rhythms. Known as the Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sue Palmer has been a force in the San Diego music scene for over 30 years. Inducted into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame, Palmer teams up with powerhouse vocalist Liz Ajuzie, whose dynamic voice perfectly complements Palmer’s electrifying piano playing. An expert in guitar and banjo, Walt Richards has been performing and teaching music for over 50 years. He has worked with numerous musical groups, participated in live theater productions, and even won an Emmy for his television work.
Jimmy and Enrique
Guitarist Jimmy Patton and percussionist Enrique Platas have combined their talents to form this award-winning duo. Their music can be described as having an international flair as they incorporate flamenco, Middle Eastern, salsa, calypso, Brazilian, and other world rhythms into their compositions and arrangements. Their musical collaboration has created a unique, fiery world-music style that has captivated audiences from all over. Listeners will experience virtuosic guitar passages accompanied by exotic percussive rhythms, which together produce a sound that will grab your soul.
Sue Palmer and Liz Ajuzie
Known worldwide as the Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sultana of Swing, and Lady Who Skates on the 88s, Sue Palmer has been a presence on the live music scene in San Diego and the world for over 30 years. She was inducted into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame in 2018, had a day named after her by the city in 2008, and won numerous San Diego Music Awards for her bands and albums. Liz Ajuzie is a captivating, powerhouse vocalist who has blended masterfully with Sue Palmer in their collaborations in recent years
Walt Richards
Walt Richards began performing on guitar while still in high school. Within a year he had added banjo, soon becoming one of Southern California's best-known players, with multiple wins at Topanga in the 1960s and 70s. He also toured nationally with the Eddystone Singers and the Appalachians in the 60s. Although offered other opportunities related to his degree, music kept drawing him back and he started teaching guitar and banjo at a San Diego music store in 1963.
Walt is celebrating over 50 years of playing and teaching music in the San Diego area. As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, he has worked with many diverse musical groups, including doing studio work and live theater (The Old Globe and Starlight theaters in San Diego), besides being a solo and group performer. Earlier work for television earned an Emmy for Walt and partner Vickie Cottle. His most recent television credits include train songs sung for a documentary originally commissioned by Disney.
The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. Priority seating will be given to Donor level members and above.
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