The Buena Vista Orchestra, which plays Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida on September 30, 2024. Credit: Photo by Cory Ingram

Fans of Latin music will spend some time in Pinellas County this week since Friday’s Clearwater Latin Jazz Festival is just days ahead of this visit from Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos.

UPDATE Due to back-to-back hurricanes, this show is rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 9

The 73-year-old founding leader, composer and trombonist for The Buena Vista Social Club is technically on the road with a new ensemble (The Buena Vista Orchestra), but the lineup includes percussionist “Betun” Luis Mariano Valiente Marin, pianist Emilio Senon Morales Ruiz, and vocalist Rogelio Ricardo Oliva Orelly—all members of the OG BVSC.

Folks say Tampa Bay is closer to Cuba than Key West, and it’ll feel like it at this show as Ramos—who’s also served with Estrellas de Areito and Afro-Cuban Allstars—works through BVSC classics like “El Cuarto de Tula” and “Candela.” Cody Jasper, the orchestra’s driver and a singer-songwriter himself, opens the show.

Tickets to see the Buena Vista Orchestra play St. Pete’s Mahaffey Theater on Monday, Sept. 30 are still available and start at $43.