JANUARY 13, 2009
New Dimensions In Latin Jazz Series Returns To New York
"Mini-Revival" of storied concert series to be held during APAP conference in January.
by Tom PryorThe acclaimed New Dimensions in Latin Jazz performance series, which ran five months at New York City's Jazz Standard club in 2007, will return to the Big Apple for a one-off event during the upcoming Association of Arts Presenters (APAP) conference.
The show takes place at S.O.B.'s on Sunday, January 11th, and will feature three sets from three different acts: Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion, Juan-Carlos Formell & Johnny's Dream Club, and Silvano Monasterios' 4th World Ensemble. Formell and Figueroa, both
The original New Dimensions series broke new ground by offering a richly-varied program of outstanding Latino bandleaders and composers such as Diego Urcola and Edmar Castaneda, as well as the New York debuts of several exceptional emerging artists, among them, Cuban jazz pianist/composers Elio Villafranca and Osmany Paredes and the Grammy-nominated Brazilian accordionist Tonhino Ferragutti.
The current lineup is equally exciting, presenting Grammy-nominated NYC jazz veterans Figueroa and Formell alongside the New York debut of Venezuelan pianist/composer
Monasterios.
Since settling in Miami, Monasterios has been in constant demand as a pianist, performing with Ira Sullivan, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Shakira and even David Lee Roth. His work with The 4th World Ensemble is a thoughtful and sublte combination of contemporary jazz and the musical traditions of his homeland.
The legendary percussionist Sammy Figueroa, now based in Miami, has played and recorded with a who's who of stars in jazz and pop -- from Miles Davis and the Brecker Brothers to Mariah Carey and David Bowie. Since becoming a bandleader in his own right he's garnered two Grammy nominations for his albums ...And Sammy Walked In and The Magician.
Grammy-nominated Cuban composer/guitarist/vocalist Juan-Carlos Formell (pictured) is a 4th generation musician and the scion of a Cuban musical dynasty. His latest album, Johnny's Dream Club, recorded in New Orleans, presents a stellar line-up of Latin jazz musicians: Cuban jazz pianist Elio Villafranca, Argentinian bassist Pedro Giraudo, Cuban percussionist Jorge Leyva, and Lewis Kahn, on trombone and violin.