John Roberts Y Pan Blanco keep toes tapping in Malta

A packed-house greeted John Roberts Y Pan Blanco on Monday night at the Malta High School Auditorium as the band brought their Cuban Funk blended with African Jazz for an evening head-bobbing, toe-taping live music.

"Holy cow, look at all these people," said Larry Swingen, Malta School's music teacher. "I think this is the biggest crowd ever."

John Roberts Y Pan Blano were in Malta on Monday as the first of several acts as a part of the Northeastern Art Network's Big Sky Series which 'provides quality entertainment to community's with a variety of shows that will appeal to every age and interest.'

The five-piece ensemble wasted no time when they hit the stage as Cuban-born conga player Cuco Martinez started the show with a bit of Latin Hip-Hop before John Roberts took the microphone and let the audience know that "soul has no color" as he melodically tip-toed over the bass-driven beat provided, in part, by his brother Tony who was featured on bass guitar. The Roberts brothers are both Malta High School graduated and the sons of Malta's Janice John and Roberts Sr.

John, on trombone for most of the evening, walked over to the piano for an impromptu piano solo and then thanked his band mates for allowing him to do so.

"I'd like to publicly apologize to the band because I didn't know I was going to take a piano solo," he said. "But these guys are so amazing I can kind of do whatever I want and they always hold it down."

The spontaneous nature of the band was on display throughout the night and those in attendance will not soon forget the experience.