Pepe Jimenez leads Groove Culture Band every Wednesday night at Echo Taste and Sound in the Arts District, featuring Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban music with a rotating lineup of top Las Vegas musicians
On Wednesday nights, Echo Taste and Sound on Main Street trades its usual midweek quiet for a rush of live percussion and improvisation. The Groove Culture Band’s weekly residency, from 7 to 10 p.m., has become a draw for Las Vegas musicians and fans looking for something different from the standard lounge acts. As of September 2026, the residency is still going strong, with steady crowds each week.
At the center is Pepe Jimenez, a drummer with more than 25 years in Las Vegas, known for his work in production shows and bands across the city. Since 2018, he has also directed the Latin Jazz Ensemble at UNLV, where he teaches and performs, according to UNLV's official concert announcement. UNLV jazz coverage calls Jimenez a "prestigious drummer" with international experience, and he is well regarded in both academic and performance circles.
Inside the weekly lineup
The current Groove Culture Band lineup reflects the depth of the Las Vegas music scene. Jimenez is joined by Bill Zappia on keys, Steven Lee on guitar, Charles McNeal on saxophone, Keith Nelson on bass, and percussionists Chiqui Garcia and David Gervais. The roster changes often, with guest musicians stepping in. This week, Oskar Cartaya—known for his work with Spiro Gyra and a recent Latin Grammy nomination with Bajo Mundo—joins as a guest bassist. Cartaya’s reputation in Latin and jazz circles fits the band’s focus on strong musicianship.
The band’s sets are built around Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban rhythms, but the music is always shifting. Jimenez has said that first-time listeners are often caught off guard by the group’s adventurous sound, which sets Groove Culture Band apart from typical lounge acts. The musicians bring their own influences to the stage, creating moments that are spontaneous and unrehearsed. Each show feels part jam session, part concert, with the audience pulled into the energy of the performance.
Echo Taste and Sound’s role in the Arts District
Echo Taste and Sound, at 1301 S. Main St., has become a spot for live music that doesn’t fit the usual casino formula. Its location in the Arts District makes it easy for locals and visitors to find a different side of Las Vegas nightlife. The venue’s focus on original programming has helped build a community of musicians and fans who value genuine performances over spectacle.
For Groove Culture Band, Echo Taste and Sound offers room to experiment. The residency is a place to try new arrangements and collaborations, with the lineup and sound changing from week to week. Regulars know that no two shows are the same.
Why Groove Culture Band stands out
In a city full of large productions and scripted shows, Groove Culture Band takes a different approach. Their focus on Afro-Latin traditions and willingness to improvise brings a kind of musical risk that’s rare on the Strip or in downtown casinos. For those who want to experience a more creative side of Las Vegas, Wednesday nights at Echo Taste and Sound have become a destination.
Las Vegas offers plenty of entertainment, but few acts match the immediacy and authenticity of Groove Culture Band’s weekly sessions. The residency shows that the city’s music scene is shaped by artists who keep pushing what live performance can be. As long as venues like Echo Taste and Sound support projects like this, the Arts District will remain an important part of Las Vegas nightlife, offering something real in a city known for illusion.
