Download Ray González - Riverfront Recapture

The
Ray González
Latin Jazz &Salsa Festival 2014
July 29, 2014
PRESS RELEASE
Guakía, Inc.
Presents
th
The 8 Annual
Ray GonzálEZ LATIN JAZZ & SALSA FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2014
5 – 10 pm
Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
300 Columbus Boulevard
Downtown Hartford, CT 06103
In harmony with its mission, “to heal with music the soul of the community and fulfill its
yearning for music of excellence,” the festival will honor the music of genius composer
Rafael Hernández Marín (1891-1965.)
The musical legacy of Rafael Hernández Marín is part of the universal heritage culture.
Hernández’s body of work constitutes a legacy of incalculable value in the staff of Puerto
Rican and Latin American music. His artistic legacy to the world encompasses all
musical genres from popular to classical counting over 2,000 compositions. Hernández
had a universal vision. He was a master of rhythms, harmonies, melodies and lyrics,
whose poetic music possessed an exquisite ability to embrace all people. In 1961,
President John F. Kennedy invited Hernández to the White House and greeted him by
saying: "Hello, Mr. Cumbanchero", alluding to the title of one of Hernandez’s most
famous music pieces "El Cumbanchero", recorded worldwide over half a million times.
With his music, Hernández made a continent of the island of Puerto Rico. Today,
Hernández’s music remains as a gift of art to humanity, an ambassador of love and pure
joy for the human soul. (Enclosed full Biographical Sketch)
Guest Artists:
Alex Apolo Ayala, bassist, Sammy Gali, pianist, Felipe Fournier, vibist/percussionist
Zayra Pola, percussionist, Hommy Ramos & Trombeatz, Nelson Bello, percussionist
Conjunto Antillano, Joe Díaz, cuatro player, Edwin Ríos, guitarist
singers: Chalí Hernández, Grysell Ramírez, José Salgado,Raúl Santos,
Jesús Pagán, Tito Guadalupe, Ray González Big Band Orchestra,
Guakibomjazz,
(Guakía’s youth orchestra will open the festival for the guest artists.)
The festival is hosted by Riverfront Recapture and the City of Hartford free to the public.
The Ray González Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival is sponsored by:
Evelyn Preston Memorial Trust Fund, City of Hartford, First Niagara Bank
The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation, Eastern Connecticut State University
Space Craft Manufacturing, Inc., Hartford Distributors, Inc., Bank of America
MECA Marketing, Events & Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Hartford and ZAYAS LAW
Supportive communication media:
Univisión WUVN-TV 18, Telemundo WRDM-TV Channel 18
La Gigante de CT WRYM 840, La Puertorriqueñísima WPRX 1120, La Mega WLAT
910, La Voz Hispana / Identida Latina / El Sol Latino, The Courant, Hartford News,
Latin Music Tonight . com,
Contact Information:
Guakía, Inc.
75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-307
P. O. Box 260029
Hartford, CT 06126-0029
Tel.: 860-548-9555 / Fax: 860-548-9117
www.guakia.org / [email protected],
www.riverfront.org / [email protected]
"The Ray González Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival", is a point of connection for Latin music
lovers of all nationalities. The festival is a boost to Hartford business, the Connecticut music
scene and a reflection of Latino’s most precious artistic expression. Viva la Música!
Guakía, Inc., 75 Charter Oak Avenue, P. O. Box 260029, Hartford, CT 06126-0029, Phone: 860.548.9555, www.guakia.org, [email protected]
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Alex “Apollo” Ayala
Bassist /Composer
Born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Bassist/Composer Alex Ayala is part of the new seed of young outstanding
Puerto Rican musicans. He graduated from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and study with legendary
bassist Eddie Gómez and saxophonist David Sánchez. Ayala has performed and recorded with artist such as
Gilberto Santa Rosa "Irrepetible" (Grammy Award Winner), Nestor Torres "Noveau Latino" (Grammy Award
Nominee), José Lugo "Guasábara" (Grammy Award Nominee), Giovanni Hidalgo, Paoli Mejías,William
Cepeda, Bryan Lynch, Luis Marín, Jerry González, Luis"perico"Ortiz, Humberto Ramírez,Victor Manuelle,
Tito Nieves, Roberto Rohena, Andy Montañez, Lalo Rodríguez, Tony Vega, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz among
many. In April of 2012, Ayala released his first album “Onward.”
About “Onward:” “Memorable compositions, fierce solos and a wide variety of shades and styles,” by Bass
Players United - April 24, 2012.
“Alex “Apollo”Ayala marries modern jazz ideas with Latin-inspired rhythms, connecting the ideas with a blend
of spry originals and brilliantly reworked classics,” by Nick De Riso of SomethingELSE – April 28, 2012.
Please see full album reviews attached.
Mario Castro
Saxophonist
Mario Castro grew up in Humacao, Puerto Rico. His early music education commenced at the famed Escuela
Libre de Música; an institution that boasts distinguished alumna such as Miguel Zenón & David Sánchez. In
2008, Castro received a scholarship from the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival to attend Berklee College of
Music. While earning his degree in jazz performance, Mario quickly established a reputation as a bandleader,
composer and musician. He formed the Mario Castro Quintet in 2009. The Mario Castro Quintet is one of the
brightest and up and coming jazz groups of today. The group is lead by Mario Castro, a 2011 Berklee College
of Music Graduate. Castro is already an accomplished musician and has studied with George Garzone, Hal
Crook, Terri Lyne Carrington, among others. According to saxophonist Dave Liebman: “..Mario has a gorgeous
sound on the tenor and most of all, leadership and passion.”
Mario Castro’s debut quintet album; “primavera” (2012) was released under Greg Osby’s record label Inner
Circle Music. Primavera consists of nine original compositions by Mario and his quintet, seven of them credited
to Castro. The recording features his long time Berklee College of Music classmates and close friends bassist
Tamir Shmerling, drummer Jonathan Pinson, pianist KyuMin Shim and trumpeter David Neves, plus
collaborations by sound designer Gabo and vocalists Julia Easterlin, Anita Fearon and Kathleen Doran. Every
composition in this album has a special place, meaning and reason. There are no tracks on this album that are
present just to take up time. Primavera is a piece of art from beginning to end. Saxophone and jazz pioneer
David Liebman says : “Producing your first recording as a leader is quite a challenge on several fronts, mostly
since this will be what people remember about you for at least awhile. On this recording Mario Castro shows all
sides of his talents… arranging and composing along with the actual playing; a gorgeous sound on the tenor and
most of all, leadership and passion. The music is infectious with the band members contributing to a repertoire
that touches on several different stylistic trends of modern jazz. But for me, most of all is that this is a real
JAZZ recording, no tricks, no games, pure beauty, energy and honesty. For a premier performance it doesn’t get
much better. My compliments”
Castro has played in various renowned festivals and venues including The Newport Jazz fest, Toronto Jazz fest,
Montreal Jazz fest, Nancy Jazz fest (France) DC Jazz fest, Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Festival, P.R. Heineken Jazz
Festival, between others. Mario has also worked as a side man and featured artist with a variety of artists
including: The Puerto Rico Philharmonic Orchestra, Dave Liebman, Henry Cole and the Afro Beat Collective,
Giovanni Hidalgo, Chucho Valdez, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, S.O.J.A., between others. In September of
2014 Mario will release a new album entitled 'Estrella de Mar' which features the Mario Castro Quintet
accompanied by a string quartet as well as special guest appearances by Casey Benjamin, David Sánchez, Dave
Liebman, among others. Currently Castro resides in New York City.
Felipe Fournier
Vibraphonist / Percussionist / Composer
Felipe Fournier was born in Costa Rica in 1985 and has performed in México, Canada, the United States,
Portugal, Puerto Rico, Panamá and Nicaragua. Fournier graduated as a Summa Cum Laude from the Puerto
Rico Conservatory of Music. He obtained a bachelor degree (BM) in Jazz and Caribbean Music. He also
graduated as a Summa Cum Laude of the National University of Costa Rica with a bachelor degree (BM) in
Music Performance and Education in Percussion. In addition Fournier has taken private master classes with
Stefon Harris, John Patittucci, Jack De Johnette, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joe Lovano and Brian Blade.
In 2008, Fournier was nominated for a Latin Grammy with Charlie Sepúlveda & The Turnaround, and in 2009
he was nominated for a US Grammy & a Latin Grammy for his work with Nestor Torres on the album
“Nouveau Latino.” He has also performed and recorded with Son de Tikizia, Cantoamérica, Humberto Vargas,
the Eddie Gómez Trio, Cheo Feliciano, Rubén Blades, the Phillarmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico, IAJE Latin
American All Stars Ensemble, Danilo Pérez and the Panamá Big Band Orchestra, Ray González Big Band
Orchestra, Orbits Quintet, the Ramón Vázquez Trío, Oscar Stagnaro, the David Sánchez Student Ensemble,
Huazzteco, Walter Flores y su Sexteto de Jazz Latino, Amarillo Cyan y Magenta, Malpaís, Guadalupe Urbina,
Editus and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Costa Rica. He has also performed with the Orbis Tertius Jazz
Quintet at the Veracruzana University, in Veracruz, México
Fournier is music director of the “Menos es Más Jazz Quartet” (less is more.) The quartet has performed at the
Heineken JazzFest “Ventana al Mar” in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2010 and 2011, where he presented his latest
CD “menos es más.” Recorded in Puerto Rico, this CD has been honored to receive the praises and public
recommendation of master bassist and jazz legend Eddie Gómez, whose CD notes say: "Felipe Fournier is a
musician who demonstrates vision, passion and a unique style".
Joel Mateo
Drummer
Joel Mateo is a drummer and Latin percussionist born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Ponce, Puerto
Rico. He began his musical studies at an early age at Escuela Libre de Música in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He
continued his music studies at the Inter-American University in Puerto Rico completing a BA and then an MA
at the Aaron Copland School of Music in NYC. His musical range has lead him to play live and record with
international artists such as Papo Vazquez, Miguel Zenon, Manuel Valera, Chembo Corniel, Joel Frahm, Andy
Gonzalez, Howard Brofsky, Pedro Martinez, Michael Mossman, Luigie Texidor, William Cepeda, Tego
Calderon, Anthony Carrillo, The Curtis Brothers, Mitch Frohman, Elio Villafranca, John Benitez, La Mala
Rodriguez and Paoli Mejias among others. Mateo currently resides in New York City where he continues to
play, record and travel with different artist and groups.
TROMBEATZ
TROMBEATZ is an inspiring Latin Jazz ensemble that fusions the fundamental rhythms of rumba, bomba,
plena, salsa and jazz with other music expressions. The ensemble’s music proposal is a synthesis of a new
sound nurtured by culture, creativity, alliances, feelings and freedom in pursue of an authentic artistic
expression relevant to people! Trombeatz first album “A Caribbean Thing” is expected to be release in
October of 2014. Musical excellence is the spiritual journey of Trombeatz.
Hommy Ramos Vizcarrondo
Trombonist / Arranger / Composer / Music Educator / Co-founder and Director of Trombeatz
Hommy Ramos Vizcarrondo was born and raised in Puerto Rico where he attended Escuela Libre de Música in
San Juan. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he obtained a Bachelors Degree (BM) in
Professional Music. He also conducted graduate studies at Queens College, University of New York. For five
years, Ramos Vizcarrondo was a faculty member of the Jazz and Caribbean Music Program at the Puerto Rico
Conservatory of Music. Ramos Vizcarrondo presently resides in New York City and actively performs, records
and tours internationally with Trombeatz and other artists such as: Boricua Legends Orchestra, Tego Calderón,
Starlight Orchestra Co., Timbalaye, Andy Montañez, William Cepeda, Humberto Ramírez Big Band Orchestra,
Roberto Rohena & Apollo Sound, José Alberto “El Canario”, India, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray González Big Band
Orchestra, Johnny Rivera, Danilo Pérez, John Benítez and Paquito de Rivera among others. When not
traveling, he continues to teach privately as trombone professor.
Nelson Bello
Percussionist / Co-founder of Trombeatz
Nelson Bello was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. He began his musical
studies at Guakía, Inc. at the tender age of eight and quickly advanced to become a member of Guakibomjazz,
Guakía’s youth orchestra, together with Damian Curtis, Zaccai Curtis, Luke Curtis, Joel González and many
other youngsters. Bello was part of a unique group of very talented young music students who are today
international artists. At Guakía, he attended percussion and sight reading classes under the tutelage of maestro
Ray Gonzalez and workshops with master percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo and other faculty professors. He also
attended the Hartford Conservatory Jazz Summer Program and at the age of thirteen, began studies at the
Performing Arts Academy in Hartford Connecticut. At the age of fifteen, he traveled to Cuba with Latin
Flavor, better known as INSIGHT. The ensemble was the invited guest of world renowned pianist Chucho
Valdés, for the International Jazz Festival of Cuba. Bello has performed with Ray González Orchestra, Andy
González, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Charles Flores, Zaccai and Luques Curtis among
others. Bello is a Hartford musician and Co-director of Trombeatz.
Ray González:
Ray González is a musician dedicated in mind, body and soul to the creation of salsa and Latin jazz rhythms.
A renowned musician, teacher and Latin music pioneer in New England, González was born in Gurabo, Puerto
Rico. He attended the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and the University of Puerto Rico. González has
over 35 years of experience, as a professional musician, arranger, composer and conductor. The Caribbean,
South America and the United States have been his laboratory of experience. González has played and recorded
with international musicians such as Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Kako, Giovanni Hidalgo, Richie Flores,
Charlie Sepúlveda, Ismael Rivera, Luisito Carrión, Luis Marín, Domingo Quiñones, the Puerto Rican Power
Orchestra and many others. Through the years, González has been commissioned to compose music for the
Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. González has also performed in
collaboration with the symphonies for many projects such as Music of the Americas, Serenata Latina, Fiesta
Latina and others. González latest released album was featured in the international Latin music web site:
DESCARGA.COM.
Guakibomjazz (Guakía’s youth orchestra), is its biggest pride! The 20-piece Latin jazz instrumental
ensemble is made of elementary, middle and high school students ages 10 to 18, founded and conducted by
Maestro Ray González, Music Director of Guakía, Inc. Guakibomjazz will open the festival for the guest
artists.