USA: #JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2019 Featured: Raquel Cepeda-Passion Latin Jazz

Raquel Cepeda delivers a superb performance singing in English, Spanish and Portuguese on a superb album that features five original compositions along with eight fresh renditions of famous Latin jazz tunes. Her warm and subtle voice is highlighted by wonderful arrangements and a band of seasoned musicians. Voice and instruments blend together in a creative flow rich in rhythms and colors. A memorable collection of gems “Passion” , reveals an unique musician mastering technique and sophistication with the same ease and passion!.

Website

USA/VENEZUELA/SERBIA/KENYA/SINGAPORE/ARMENIA: Band of Sisters: Music Action Women Collective Captures the Global Sound of Women’s Hard-Won Triumphs

Band of Sisters: Music Action Women Collective Captures the Global Sound of Women’s Hard-Won Triumphs

Around the world, women are fighting bold uphill battles, insisting on their artistic integrity and leadership in music and in their societies. They are fighting to be artists, not women musicians or female composers. Along the way, they are transforming their communities--and making some diverse, kick-ass music.

Music Action Lab invited a handful of these women, hailing from Philly to Yerevan to Singapore, to form a band and create music together. After a residency in San Francisco that incorporated social activism training, entrepreneurial support, and musical engagement, these six artists recorded Music Action Women Collective: The EP (release date: September 20, 2019).

Drawing on electronic and club music, Latin alt-trad, jazz, contemporary classical, and their own idiosyncratic influences, this collective of six wildly talented musicians crafted compositions that showcase their power and perspective. Some (“Nazeni”) suggest traditional song structures, some explore profoundly poetic territory (“Lullaby,” an ode to a yet-to-be-born daughter). Some are seriously groove based (the super funky “Breathe,” the Balkan blast of “Rules Change”), some run free (the wild sway of “Hide”). The compositions all highlight women’s varied and nuanced perspectives.

Unlike many international exchanges, this project put musical chemistry first, building a band, not ticking off geographic or other boxes. This approach yielded a wonderfully cohesive group that avoids the pitfalls of many cross-cultural mashups, creating instead a sonic sandbox where the participants could experiment, learn, and inspire one another.

“The community we made with this project is just a seed, a tiny point,” reflects Serbian saxophonist, composer, band leader, and music therapist Jasna Joviċeviċ, “but if nourished carefully, it could grow into the place where we find shelter, a place to rest for the next giant step, and help us become stronger every time.” 

“This project was a life-changing experience,” explains singer, songwriter, and pianist Sevana Tchakerian, who leads several ensembles and education initiatives from her base in Armenia. “I had the luxury to find myself with a diversified and motivated all-female cohort of professional musicians, from around the world, for two whole weeks. Being able to create music and work on the challenges of being a female musician in a male-dominated industry has been a catalyst to reorient my professional, artistic and personal life.”

About the Collective

From five continents, the Collective members specialize in a range of styles and genres. They include:

Liz Draper (USA/ bass) -- A classically and jazz-trained versatile bassist, Liz has performed, recorded, and toured internationally with such groups as the Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers and Soul Asylum. She has led a diverse range of projects, including Black Blondie, an all-female alternative R&B group featured on the same stage as Questlove and Amy Winehouse, the all-female Carpscale Orkester, and Up The Mountain Down The Mountain, an acoustic chamber doom folk metal project.

Barb Duncan, Muzikaldunk “The MD” (US / Drums) -- Drummer, producer, and educator Muzikaldunk is a Philadelphia-born and -raised musician who has worked as a concert and session drummer, produced music for up-and-coming artists and taught young musicians how to perfect their craft. A community advocate and activist, she is developing a rehearsal and audio/visual studio in West Philly for experienced and novice creators to have a safe space to work, network and build. She is also a member of the alternative rock band JJX and regularly performs with The Remixologist and The Sea Tease. In 2018 Muzikaldunk was honored with the HIT LIKE A GIRL Technology Breakthrough Award of 2018. She also released her first instrumental album “GOLD-MIND”.

Maria Fernanda Gonzalez (Venezuela / Bandola llanera) -- Maria Fernanda is a Barquisimeto-based multi-instrumentalist and journalist. After years of studying cuatro, mandolin and violin, Maria decided to take up the bandola llanera, an obscure Venezuelan instrument with few well-known female performers. She has performed internationally at Festival of Música llanera the Silbón (Venezuela), the festival Girara de Oro (Colombia), the 32nd Music Office Curitiba (Brazil), The International Jazz Festival Barquisimeto (Venezuela) and Folklorico Summer Festivals (Portugal and Spain). She recently toured Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, France, and Italy, performing joropos, a traditional music of the high plains of Venezuela. She teaches master classes on the bandola llanera and is working on codifying and writing a new universal teaching method for the instrument.

Jasna Joviċeviċ  (Serbia / Saxophones, Woodwinds, Percussion) -- Jasna is a saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, and spacedrum player and composer from Serbia. Jasna received her Bachelor’s degree from Franc Liszt Music Academy in Budapest, Hungary, and Master’s degree in composition from York University in Toronto. She has also studied music in Serbia, Brazil, US, and Austria, won grants to artist residency programs worldwide, and performed her work around Europe and North America at various international competitions and festivals. A music educator and therapist, Jasna also is the founder and leader of the all-female “New Spark Jazz Orchestra,” featuring Balkan women in jazz. She has recorded several solo albums (“Flow Vertical,” “Invented Reality” and “The Sound of Birds”) and contributed to more than a dozen other recording projects.

Claire Marie Lim (Singapore / Electronics, vocals) -- Claire is a music technologist and interdisciplinary artist specializing in audio production, writing, and technology, and has worked with organizations such as Beats By Girlz, SisterSMATR, Girls Rock Campaign, and Women in Music. She is a proud DJ for Alphabet Rockers, a Grammy-nominated group that spreads messages of social justice and empowerment to children and youth via hip hop music and dance.

Kasiva Mutua, Music Director (Kenya) -- An alumna of Giant Steps’ Music Action Lab 2.0, Kasiva Mutua is an acclaimed percussionist and advocate of women's rights. A percussionist since childhood, Kasiva is known for her seamless abilities to fuse African music with modern styles crossing hip-hop, reggae, and jazz. Kasiva has deep experience in musical collaborations, such as Coke Studio Africa, The Nile Project, 1Beat, and Xjazz. Kasiva has worked with such musicians as Kirk Whalum (US), Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Suzanna Owiyo (Kenya), Dina El Wedidi (Egypt), Kidum (Burundi) and reggae artist Anthony B (Jamaica).

Sevana Tchakerian (Armenia / Vocals, keys, accordion, flute) -- Sevana is a French-Armenian musician, songwriter, educator and tour manager.  In 2012, she co-founded the Collectif Medz Bazar, a multi-ethnic band creating traditional and original songs melding Middle-Eastern and Balkan folk, hip-hop, chanson, cabaret, jazz, and Latin influences. In 2015, Sevana moved to Armenia to initiate Tsap-Tsapik, an inclusive music program aiming at rural educational development and pedagogical innovation. She is working to publish the first preschool music education curriculum in Armenian. She has created Dayl’Ayl Production, a tour management agency to promote Armenian musical talent internationally.

About the Project

The inaugural edition of Music Action Women, a social impact-driven music residency bringing together outstanding female artists committed to advancing the causes of women through music, was held in early 2019 in partnership with the University of San Francisco and in its Performing Arts for Social Justice program, the Fellows enjoyed a dynamic schedule combining interactive learning workshops and rehearsals facilitated by domain experts, hosted in the historic Presentation Theater.

Music Action Women was produced by Giant Steps, a music-meets-social action initiative.

About Giant Steps

Founded in 2016, Giant Steps Music creates innovative musical approaches to social justice and social impact. Its flagship program is the Music Action Lab, a residency for musicians across the world to come together, learn from each other, and create original music advancing global social issues and empowering them to be changemakers in their communities. To date, Giant Steps has worked with 24 artists across 5 continents and 14 countries. Its acclaimed albums, which have been featured in the Huffington Post, PBS, Pop Matters, and Jazz Weekly, include Foundation and What If.

Links

• Music Action Women

Contact

Publicist

Ron Kadish

ron@rockpaperscissors.biz

VENEZUELA: Silvano Monasterios – Partly Sunny (Savant Records 2016)

01 A Tropical Mirage (6:41)
02 Awash with Secrets (5:50)
03 Blue in Red (6:30)
04 Faith in You (6:50)
05 Never Let Me Go (5:59)
06 Eternal Blue Sky (7:37)
07 Conqueror of Dreams (6:26)
08 He Didn't Know (6:14)
09 Partly Sunny (5:45)
10 Awash with Secrets (Reprise) (1:17)

Silvano Monasterios - piano, composer
Jonathan Dadurka - bass
Rodolfo Zúñiga - drums
Roberto Quintero - percussion
guests
Troy Roberts - saxophones (1, 2, 6, 7, 9)
Anat Cohen - clarinet (4, 5)

VENEZUELA/USA: Luis Perdomo - Twenty -Two (Hot Tone Music 2015)

1 Love Tone Poem
2 Old City
3 Weilheim
4 A Different Side Of Reality
5 Two Sides Of A Goodbye
6 Light Slips In
7 Looking Through You
8 How Deep Is Your Love
9 Aaychdee
10 Cota Mil
11 Brand New Grays
12 Days Gone Days Ahead

Personnel: Luis Perdomo: piano, electric piano (4, 6, 7, 10, 12); Mimi Jones: bass, vocals (9); Rudy Royston: drums.

http://www.luisperdomojazz.com

Gerardo Rosales - Síguelo (Challenge Records 2013)

"Everyone that knows my work can appreciate the evolution and changes I have made. Nevertheless, my musical line is clear and concrete; I’ve been influenced by other cultures, but my specialty is the salsa. I do have to make it clear that when I talk about salsa, I don’t mean the dance that people learn in a superficial way on dance academies. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, one of the countries responsible for the development and dissemination of this music in the world. I witnessed the birth and development of this genre. Cuba is the mother of what we call salsa, because the son, the mambo, the guaracha, the cha cha cha, the guaguancó and the pattern of the clave are the origin of everything. I have a collection of 5000 vinyl records, audio cassettes and historical documents that I keep close by; they are my treasure and the fundamental base of what I bring into the world. This album is the more danceable and spontaneous I have ever produced. The musicians involved in it have a very positive energy, full of talent, wisdom and spirituality, all contributing to their knowledge so that you have a quality product.
Challenge Records 

Flamenco Singer, Jafelin, Sings Latin Jazz Boleros

Boleros music done in a Latin Jazz style. Local Vancouver favorite flamenco singer, Jafelin, releases a music video from "Algo De Mi" her Boleros Latin Jazz album. 

Dove Innovation is pleased to announce a music video release on YouTube of Vancouver's local favorite singer, Jafelin singing "Amor De Mis Amores" from her debut album. "Algo De Mi" which means "Something Of Me". Its a musical treat where Jafelin adds her emotion-evoking voice to beautiful Latin Jazz arrangements of popular Latin Boleros. Boleros are rhythmical love songs that have been enjoyed by millions before the 1950's through to today.
Jafelin is one of Canada's preeminent flamenco singers and has added Boleros and Latin Jazz to her repertoire. The Venezuelan born singer has made her home in the Vancouver, Canada since 1996. Since applying her talents to the art of flamenco music, she has become a regular favorite performing three or four times a week. "I've been surrounded with Spanish influences all my life," says Jafelin. When asked why she chose to sing Boleros, she says, "I was always intrigued with Spanish coplas (songs). I grew up with them. My mother and father were very romantic and had this music playing all the time." This album is dedicated to them. "Why do I sing? The beauty of connecting with real people, the world, and what I can do to make people feel alive with all their senses is why."
With the release of her new album "Algo De Mi", music lovers can hear Jafelin like never before. In this Boleros Latin Jazz influenced musical treat, "Jafelin's beautiful emotion filled tones will move you from the inside out. If you like Spanish Boleros or Latin Jazz, then you'll love this," says Mitch Helten of Dove Innovation And Management Group.
In her album, Jafelin offers a new sound to Latin hits like Amor De Mis Amores by Agustin Lara, Contigo En La Distancia and Tu Mi Delirio by César Portillo de la Luz.
Musicians on this album include, Adam Thomas (bass), Steve Charles (guitar, mandolin), Juan De Marias (guitar), Roxana Whetham (violin), Phil Belanger (percussion) and Robert Brouwer (piano).
The "Algo De Mi" album or individual tracks were recently released for worldwide distribution and can be found in most good music stores or online from most music providers such as iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.com.
For more information, feel free to contact Dove Innovation And Management Group at 778-558-6887 or Jafelin(at)jafelin(dot)com or through http://www.jafelin.com.

 Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) November 28, 2013

Antonio Mazzei (piano) @ the VENEZUELAN Art Festival in NYCm Nov 2nd 2013

http://www.venezuelanartfestival.com/

Jimmy Kansau - Swinging The Latin American Songbook, Vol. 1 (2013)

Caribbean songs of the mid-twentieth century reinterpreted through the language of the American jazz
http://jimmykansau.com 
CDBABY

1.Dama Antañona (Francisco de Paula Aguirre, Venezuela)
The Original song is a Venezuelan Waltz that dates back from the early 20th century. Perhaps the most difficult piece to translate into the big band style
because the original form (three distinct sections with an instrumental middle section) is not
typical in the jazz idiom. I therefore decided to "go for it"and create
an epic sounding arrangement with multiple themes. I started with a
modern sounding intro and put the melody in the bass and bari sax. The
horn melody that follows is meant to set a dark and haunting mood before
introducing the minor verse. The B section of the original which sounds
very classical is translated into a bop-sounding horn soli section with
dense harmony and rhythmic syncopation (this had to also be converted from
3/4 to 4/4). The C section then introduces a new bright major theme. The
horn parts are meant to sound a little edgy in order to ease the dramatic
shift in tone from the verse.


2.Anhelante (José Sifontes, Venezuela)
Also originally in 3/4, this minor waltz translated very beautifully into
a modern straight eighths jazz ballad in 4/4. It has the pristine, airy
quality of the music from ECM records and a modern reharmonization that
further deepens the sense of melancholy. Jimmy's creative string
arrangements enhances and compliments the mood of the piece beautifully.
There's a lot of space used in the arrangement with strings swelling,
trailing off, fading in and out, an open bass, solo etc. It feels like
the music is gliding effortlessly along.
In order to not repeat the same vocal verse, an instrumental verse is
introduced with melody in the piano and then played by the horns. There
is a modern reinterpretation of the melody followed by an alto solo on the
changes of the A section. The B section then returns with a slightly
different presentation. This time two trumpets play the theme and the
rest of the horn section provides the commentary. Finally the piece
returns to the major theme of the C section and ends in classic big band
style.


3.Haz lo que tu quieras (Concha Valdez Miranda, Cuba)
Another difficult piece to translate. The sexually suggestive theme lends
itself nicely to swampy, dirty slow swing feel, but the original has very
classic bolero changes that an opposition to that sentiment. Therefore,
we tried to compensate by suggesting blues harmonies throughout to give it
a sense of earthiness.


4.Ingenua (Dumbi, dumbi) (Luis Cruz, Venezuela)
This fun silly song with a calypso feel is given a big band treatment with
much humor. I wrote an intro that is hard driving, yet joyful and
spirited. The chorus maintains the calypso feel in the bass, but the band
style swings in a jazz style with conga ornamentation. The verse is
presented in a classic swing two-feel with some harmonization recalling
the songs of Rodgers and Hart (the original is only four chords, so it
needed some movement to sound like a jazz tune). It modulates in the
middle of the verse to give it a sense of upward mobility. The chorus and
verse a separated by a short whimsical theme with the flute as the top
voice lending a sense of lightness. Following the verses and chorus is a
humorous interlude that is a nod to the arranger Russ Garcia. The congas
play an afro feel against the stiff, jerky rhythm of the horns. The
faux-classical melody of the flute evokes images of toy soldiers. It's
very tongue and cheek, momentarily dabbling in the absurd. The song
returns to solos and a double chorus that keeps the spirit lively to the
end.


5.Como fué (Ernesto Duarte Brito, Cuba)
This popular ballad (one of the few originally pieces in 4/4) is presented
as a classic jazz waltz with gorgeous string accompaniment. This piece
also features modern reharmonizations and interesting string commentary
throughout. The introductory theme played by flute gives the piece a
wistful feeling.

6. Vereda Tropical (Gonzalo Curiel, Mexico)
Vereda Tropical was an attempt to capture the elegance of Alfredo Sadel’s version with a piano trio. I love it's sparse beauty.


7. What a difference a day makes / Cuando vuelva a tu lado (with Norma Kansau who is my sister)
(María Grever, Mexico)

8. Mi propio yo (Chelique Sarabia, Venezuela)
Mi Propio Yo attempted to embody the melancholy of the lyrics despite the challenge of a chorus in a major key. The harmonic devices and rhythmic sparsity in the A section add an edge to a very sweet sounding melody.

9.Moliendo Café (Hugo Blanco, Venezuela)
Moliendo Cafe was arranged (in the bass lines) with clave in mind to pay respect to the song becoming a salsa staple, but its the swing that connects it to the jazz tradition.

10.Tu Mi Delirio (César Portillo De La Cruz, Cuba)
Tu Mi Delirio used a Bill Evans harmonic concept to interprets the moodiness if this bolero.

11. Alma Llanera (Pedro Elias Gutierrez, Rafael Bolívar Coronado, Venezuela)
The idea was to create a big band swing version of this unofficial
Venezuelan anthem. The original is a joropo in 3/4, so there was great
care in making it swing in 4/4 while maintaining the feeling of the
original. The intro instrumental theme of Alma Llanera sounded very
similar to Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-a-ning" when put into 4/4, so I
contrasted those themes in the intro of the arrangement. The verses of
the original are very folky and triadic, so the harmony throughout was
reinterpreted in a jazz fashion recalling the Great American songbook.
The horn parts in this section were written as a conversation/response to
the vocal melody. At the B section, we were able to maintain the rhythmic
breaks of the original which provided a nice contrast to the straighter
hard driving verses. Following the solos, a classic horn soli section was
created based loosely on the melody of the verse. This helped to further
ground the connection of the original with the new big band swing feel.

 

VENEZUELA: Laura Guevara + Antonio Mazzei Trio @ Centro Cultural BOD-Corp Banca

La cantautora Laura Guevara y el trío de Antonio Mazzei se unen en un experimento musical en el marco de el ciclo “Sesiones Íntimas“ el próximo Jueves 25 de Julio en la sala experimental del Centro Cultural BOD-Corp Banca. El pianista residenciado en Nueva York y la aclamada cantautora caraqueña forman parte de una nueva generación de músicos emergentes con nuevas propuestas y regalarán al público un variado repertorio que incluye composiciones originales de ambos.

Las entradas están a la venta en las taquillas del teatro y en www.ticketmundo.com


Laura Guevara (voz)

Antonio Mazzei (piano)
Gonzalo Teppa (contrabajo)
Abelardo Bolaño (batería)

http://www.corpbancacentrocultural.com
FB

BOOKING NOW: Otmaro Ruiz (Venezuela-Los Angeles) One of the most important contemporary pianists of the international jazz scene

Otmaro Ruiz is one of the most important contemporary pianists of the international jazz scene. With 6-disc in its production and participation in more than 130 recordings of other artists, among which Frank Gambale , Arturo Sandoval , John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves , Akira Jimbo & Brian Bromberg , Alex Acuna & The Unknowns , Jimmy Branly....

Testimonials:

"He is one of my favorite musicians.Besides being a great composer, arranger, Otmaro can also play all styles and any genre on both keyboards and acoustic piano. BTW, we all have a special gift and OT has a very unique and wonderful one. He recorded on several of my CDs and always will be my first call".
ALEX ACUÑA (Drum legend / Member of Weather Report)

"Otmaro is one of the greatest keyboardists I ever played with. His astonishing abilities and the musical ear that guides them puts him into the top levels of "rarified" musical talent. He is terrific!" JEFF BERLIN (Bassist extraordinaire)

Formats: Concerts performed in Quartet, Trio and Special Duets formats.
Master Classes also offered with the original Quartet or Trio

More information (Music&Video) www.otmaroruiz.com

Luis Perdomo - The 'Infancia' Project (Criss Cross Jazz 2012)

This time the exceptional pianist Luis Perdomo reaches back to the earliest influences he grew up listening to: South American and Afro Caribbean Rhythms, on this, his second outing for Criss Cross Jazz: The 'Infancia' Project.

Luis has handpicked a well balanced and stellar band to back him up: two players of the new generation with fresh ideas and concepts, Mark Shim on tenor saxophone and virtuoso percussionist Mauricio Herrera, plus two very influential legends deeply rooted in the tradition: bassist Andy Gonzalez and drummer Ignacio Berroa.

With The 'Infancia' Project Luis Perdomo further establishes himself as a resourceful master musician and bandleader.

    Cover
(click image for a larger picture)

€ 17.95    
shipping is free within EU.
rest of the world: click here
Buy this release on iTunes     Buy this release on Amazon

Barcode 8 712474 134823
play     1.     The Other Left (Luis Perdomo)
play     2.     Berimvela (Luis Perdomo)
play     3.     Solar (Miles Davis)
play     4.     Happy House (Ornette Coleman)
play     5.     Comedia (J.A. Espino)
play     6.     Un Poco Loco (Bud Powell)
play     7.     Meggido Girl (Luis Perdomo)
play     8.     Mind And Time (Luis Perdomo)
play     9.     Major General (Jack DeJohnette)

Recorded January 26, 2012 in Brooklyn, NY, USA by Michael Marciano
Luis Perdomo (P / Fender Rhodes)
Mark Shim (Ts)
Andy Gonzalez (B)
Ignacio Berroa (D)
Mauricio Herrera (Perc)
Criss Cross Jazz
http://www.luisperdomojazz.com/

Luis Perdomo - Universal Mind (feat. Drew Gress & Jack DeJohnette)(Kindred Rhythm 2012)

Based in New York City but originally from Venezuela, Luis Perdomo is an acoustic post-bop pianist whose playing has been directly or indirectly influenced by Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, among others. Although Perdomo comes from a Latin American country, his compositions aren't the type of straight-up Afro-Cuban jazz one associates with Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Machito or Poncho Sanchez; nonetheless, there are subtle hints of Latin and Caribbean music in some of his material (which has tended to be on the cerebral side). Perdomo was born in 1971 in Caracas, Venezuela, where he began studying the acoustic piano as a kid; Perdomo was still a teenager when he became the house pianist in one of the city's top jazz clubs. Perdomo was 22 when, in 1993, he moved to New York City, where he studied both jazz and European classical music at the Manhattan School of Music as well as Queens College; Perdomo earned degrees from both of them. It was during that period that he met veteran jazz pianist Sir Roland Hanna, who became one of his teachers and gave the Venezuelan immigrant a great deal of encouragement. By the summer of 2000, Perdomo was making weekly appearances at the Jazz Gallery (a Manhattan jazz club) as a sideman in alto saxophonist Yosvany Terry's band, which also included Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto and Puerto Rican bassist John Benitez (not to be confused with the famous urban/dance-pop producer John "Jellybean" Benitez, who was one of Madonna's earliest supporters). The early 2000s also found Perdomo performing with well known artists like percussionist Ray Barretto and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane (John Coltrane's son), and it was during that period that the pianist began leading some groups of his own (which ranged from trios to quintets) at the Jazz Gallery and other Big Apple clubs. In 2003 (the year of his 30th birthday), Perdomo produced his first album as a leader, Focus Point, which listed Ravi Coltrane as executive producer; Focus Point was given a February 2005 release date by the small independent label RKM Music.
ITUNES
Universal Mind is the Venezuelan-born pianist's fourth release as a leader, but it marks the debut of this compelling trio. Bassist Drew Gress and Perdomo built a chemistry and musical bond through their shared experiences in Coltrane's outfit, but the real story here is the connection between Perdomo and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The two push, prod and propel one another to great heights, while creating music that's thought-provoking, powerful, and unique. (DAN BILAWSKY allaboutjazz.com)

USA: New York City Welcomes to the USA for the Very First Time, Venezuela's World-Renowned "El Sistema" and Their New Jazz Orchestra: Simon Bolivar Big-Band Jazz October 31, 2011 - November 4, 2011

EW YORK, NY, Oct 24, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- New York City welcomes Venezuela's world-renowned "El Sistema" Simon Bolivar Big-Band Jazz (SBBBJ) with a concert series of four performances from October 31, 2011 - November 4, 2011. Led by Venezuelan percussionist Andres Briceno, the Simon Bolivar Big-Band Jazz will perform new and traditional big band repertoire during their historic, inaugural visit to the United States. This significant trip is a good-will tour by the SBBBJ-Venezuelan musicians, all of them products of the internationally-recognized "El Sistema," to share their model and introduce their premier 40-piece jazz orchestra. Serving as the official New York City host is musician Arturo O'Farrill, Founder and Artistic Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. The Series is proudly presented by diDIVISION Media.
Read more

Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion-Urban Nature(Senator Entertainment 2011)

Fans of superb Latin jazz will finally be able to hear Sammy's third album, 'Urban Nature' produced by Rachel Faro, with incredible music composed and arranged by Venezuelans maestros Silvano Monasterios and Gabriel Vivas. With special guest appearances by Ed Calle, Mike Orta and Venezuelan percussionist Jose Gregorio Hernandez, this album is a true labor of love, combining playful fusion jazz with classical beauty and dazzling displays of virtuosity.

samples at amazon.com

Silvano Monasterios - Unconditional (2011)

Among the most talented and resourceful figures in the exciting Miami Latin Jazz scene, Venezuelan pianist Silvano Monasterios leads the way as a top-rated figure. Both as performer and composer he is among the most gifted today and his piano playing and compositions have appeared on recordings by a number of important of artists including Ira Sullivan, Othello Molineaux, Dave Liebman, Donald Byrd, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Sammy Figueroa, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Exhibiting an insatiable appetite for challenge and change, Silvano has brought his new quintet into the Savant studios and recorded eight new and imaginative compositions. While this latest work is likely destined to be classified as "Latin Jazz" with its assortment of indigenous percussion instruments and rhythms, it is totally devoid of the Latin clichés often encountered in pseudo-Latin jazz. Instead, it showcases an artist with a complete understanding of his complex Venezuelan roots, who is aware of the Austro-Germanic-European compositional heritage and who, at the same time, is steeped in the great American jazz tradition.

SILVANO MONASTERIOS, piano and keyboards • Troy Roberts, saxophones • Jon Dadurka or Gabriel Vivas, bass • Rodolfo Zuñiga, drums • Jose Gregorio Hernandez, percussion

Tracks: Interface • Silhouette • Fall Out • One by One • Aperitivo • Viper • After the Pain • Expectations

Track Listing: Farmacia del Angel; Monsieur Petit Noir; A Song for Jacques, Part I; A Song for Jacques, Part II; Sno' Peas; Forgotten Gods; Unconditional; Black Saint.

SAVANT RECORDS

Venezuela: EDWARD, ANTONIO, RODNER Y NENE EN CONCIERTO

Saturday, September 3 at 9:00pm - September 4 at 12:00am
Location Pizzeria Taima, C.C. Plaza La Boyera, PB, detras del Rey David, Caracas Created By Antonio Mazzei, Cindy Kovacs
For Musicos y Toques Venezolanos
More Info
POR PRIMERA VEZ podran disfrutar de este increible TRABUCO musical:

EDWARD RAMIREZ
ANTONIO MAZZEI
RODNER PADILLA
NENE QUINTERO

En el lugar mas acogedor, con la mejor atencion y las mejores pizzas de la ciudad.

RESERVACIONES TEL. 0212-8615762