San Miguel de Allende - SMA

We had a long travel day getting to SMA but it’s great to be back in this beautiful city. Brian’s Aunt Mary moved here in the 1950s and he has been coming here since the ‘70s. Lots of changes but still a fascinating place to be.

Sometimes amazing things happen. We went out to dinner in San Miguel de Allende to a place we knew Doc Severinsen would be playing (he lives here now and plays almost every week). Maybe you remember Doc from the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where Doc led the band/orchestra for 25 years? All we can say is what a night and what a band and what amazing music. They just blew us away. Something very special. Very different. Very unusual.

Gil Gutierrez and Pedro Cartas are working hard to keep Doc young (Doc will be 83 in July and still has the chops). Gil on guitar and Cartas on violin. There is also a percussionist named Miguel Favero and bassist Gilberto Gonzalez. All very talented musicians – and that is an understatement. These guys just floored us. Make no mistake, Doc may be the name celebrity in the group but these guys would be worth it even if Doc were not there. One of the best nights of music ever. Their sound is unique. It could be worth a trip to San Miguel just to get to see them. But it you live in MN you won’t have to as they will be there in February.

We had dinner with appetizers and drinks with all the music the total night out cost for both of us with tips included was about $56. Cover was 300 pesos minimum applied to drinks and dinner.

Check out the various websites below to learn more – be sure to click around the websites.

http://www.gilandcartas.com/

http://www.docseverinsen.com/

http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/season/event_detail.cfm?id_event=910056