WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1999

Jazz, KLON style

By Michelle Devera

On-Line Forty-Niner

Saucy, spicy and muy caliente.

That is how KLON-FM will serve up its Annual Latin Jazz Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Hollywood Park Casino tonight.

More than 1,800 people are expected to attend KLON's, a noncommercial jazz station located on the Cal State Long Beach campus, first Latin jazz event, said Sean Heitkemper, KLON membership coordinator.

"We are a membership-supported public radio station and most of KLON's operating budget comes from our members' contributions," Heitkemper said.

To attend the event, a $75 donation is required. These members receive tickets to the exclusive event, a Latin jazz CD and a one-year subscription to Newsweek - if the donation is charged on a credit card.

Poncho Sanchez, a well-known Los Angeles Latin jazz percussionist, will headline the event. Tolu and Johnny Blas, two acclaimed Latin jazz bands, will also take center stage.

"Latin jazz beats are like salsa, but it's still jazz with a lot of improvisation, percussion and horns," Heitkemper said.

KLON disc jockeys Jose Rizo and Alfredo Cruz will host the evening's performances.