Opening doors to music and culture - that's what we do here at
World Fusion Events
OUR MISSION
World Fusion Events provides cross-cultural education and entertainment experience through the cultivation of innovative promotion, presentation and preservation of culturally significant artists here in the United States and in International markets.
OUR VISION
World Fusion Events connects people with eclectic World Music concerts, Cultural Events, Workshops and Traveling Art Exhibitions.
World Fusion Events connects people with eclectic World Music concerts, Cultural Events, Workshops and Traveling Art Exhibitions.
We are in the process of creating a new website to debut in 2020, thanks to a generous grant from The Regional Arts and Culture Council.
Please check back for the new look with new pictures, logos, videos and exciting programs!
In the meantime, please visit our Artist's pages by clicking on their website link or switch over to our Signature Artist Page for an Artist Bio:
FLAMENCO
Luis Gallo
www.luisgallo.net
JAZZ
Francesco Cataldo
www.francescocataldo.eu
Ralph Peterson: Jazz Drummer
www.ralphpetersonmusic.com
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ
Rob Tardik
www.robtardik.com
LATIN JAZZ
Ron Francis Blake
www.ronfrancisblake.com
THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC PROGRAM
THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC SERIES FOR CHILDREN
Fosters friendship and dialogue through dance, music, stories and the arts from various Latin countries and neighbors from other countries – in short, a cultural collaboration! The exchanges bring people and cultures closer together. Also, the Children’s Language of Music Series opens doors to music and culture by bringing together the best art teachers for a fascinating learning experience. Our programs can be tailored for Pre-school age to High School students.
THE LANGUAGE OF LATIN JAZZ – A CULTURAL AND MUSICAL DIALOGUE
Aims to produce educational events in domestic and international markets that expose people to the roots of Latin American art, culture and music. The Language of Latin Jazz Series encourages business development and partnerships through music, the arts, cuisine, beverages and marketplaces based on rhythms and influences from the Caribbean and the East and West Coasts.
SIGNATURE BAND
The Language of Latin Jazz Band features a rotating cast of world-class musicians from the U.S. and points in between. They are highly respected first call musicians who are recognized domestically and internationally for their contributions to Latin Jazz and Latin music. The upcoming recording by the Fusion All-Stars will be a collaborative effort and features the music of pianist Zaccai Curtis.
FUSION MARKETPLACE
Our fun and exciting short-term shopping experience is a vibrant cultural marketplace that focuses on carefully curated purveyors of the most exceptional goods and the experience of shopping experience of Latin America.
Congratulations are in order for veteran bassist, Rene Camacho on his latest project with Disney’s on the launch of their first ever Latina princess – “Elena of Avalor!” The series is set to debut on the Disney Channel at 7:00 pm on July 22, in a one-hour special. Rene is one of or Artistic Directors!
Rene recently served as the show’s musical consultant as well as performed on the soundtrack. Consultants played an important role in ensuring Elena's world properly represented Latin culture. “We have cultural consultants help us every step of the way,” says story editor Silvia Olivias.
Disney is pulling out all the promotional stops to make sure its fans will want to follow her, so please tune in and show your support for this magnificent, educational and cultural endeavor also to hear Rene’s stellar work!
Thanks to Judy Cantor Navas of Billboard Magazine for interviewing Rene on this incredible project – the interview is a well deserved accolade for Rene! Rene was involved on this project all the while maintaining a busy touring schedule with Draco Rosa, WAR, Poncho Sanchez, Kevin Eubanks, among other artists as well as recording on numerous records.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Disney officially introduced “Elena of Avalor” this past Tuesday by releasing its first trailer. “Elena of Avalor” is an animated spin-off series of the Disney Junior animated show, Sofia the First.
“Elena of Avalor’s” magical Latino fairytale kingdom will “incorporate influences from diverse Latin and Hispanic cultures,” including music, architecture, food, folklore and traditions, according to Disney.
“The way that music is so important to the show reflects how important it is to the culture,” says Disney Channel show's creator and executive producer Craig Gerber.
What does a Latino fairy tale kingdom sound like?
Merengue, salsa, son montuno, vallenato, cumbia and reggaeton, as well as variations of Latin rock, folk and, of course, upbeat pop are just some of the musical styles that animate the soundtrack of “Elena of Avalor”.
Rene stated that he presented the Disney creative team with “the wide range of different Latin styles that you can possibly listen to today,” from Latin America and the different regions of the U.S.
"The styles of music we’re using overall — it’s all Latin-based, it’s very festive" says Rene.
For Rene, who also performed on the soundtrack, stated the exposure that “Elena of Avalor” will give a broad audience of Latino and non-Latino kids in the U.S. to diverse Latin sounds is an important part of the show’s message.
“The main thing is that the music is out there now,” he says. “On television, that doesn’t happen very often in the U.S. I think it’s super important for kids today to be able to identify with that music. And, for someone as big as Disney to be putting it out, that’s huge.” – Rene Camacho
To read more about Elena of Avalor, or to view the trailer, please visit the links below:
View the trailer here: https://youtu.be/cRpmMwQ0aR4
Read the press here:
http://www.billboard.com/…/elena-of-avalor-music-team-disne…
http://variety.com/…/elena-of-avalor-trailer-disney-first-l…
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Princess_Elena
http://www.usatoday.com/…/meet-disney-channel-firs…/86982644
New Projects - The Francisco Torres Group
A new Jazz Work is in progress!!!
The Francisco Torres Group is comprised of the very best in the jazz and Latin Jazz community. Led by Francisco Torres, longtime Musical Director for Poncho Sanchez, the ensemble tries to find new ways to mesh Latin rhythms with jazz, while keeping with the tradition set forth by such pioneers as Chucho Valdez, Jerry Gonzales, and Emiliano Salvador.
With core members Rene Camacho on bass, Jimmy Branly on drums, Andy Langham on piano, Joey Deleon on congas, and Adam Schroeder on Baritone Sax and Bass Clarinet, the group has developed a longtime musical relationship that stays fresh and spontaneous no matter the situation, playing off each other and developing a song to it's full potential.
Collectively members of the ensemble have extensive resumes that includes work with Santana, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, War, Kevin Eubanks, John Beasley, Christian McBride, Bill Holman, Gordon Goodwin, Celia Cruz, and Tito Puente.
The Ensemble members have toured extensively both domestically and internationally. Through their work they are making a way for a deep understanding of jazz, funk, rock, Latin and world music, which comes across in the ensemble's collective sound. In addition to being part of the ensemble, the members of the group are also teachers, historians and cultural ambassadors.
About Francisco:
Trombonist and musical director for the Grammy-Award winning Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, Francisco Torres is a trombonist, bass trombonist, composer, arranger and clinician. Originally from Sonora, Mexico, Torres began his musical studies at the age of 15, playing the saxophone in high school for a year, switching to euphonium, and then the trombone. Francisco is at home with jazz, classical, latin, funk, reggae, ska, and studio work, but is a jazz trombonist at heart.
In 1998, while still at Cal State Long Beach, Poncho Sanchez saw Francisco at a small jazz club and asked if he would join his band. As a member of the popular Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band for 10 years, he has been an integral part of the band’s sound, not only as soloist, but also as director and arranger. With Poncho, he has won a Grammy, been nominated for two Latin Grammys, and won three Billboard awards, as well as developing a small reputation for Latin Jazz arranging.
Not only is Torres a member of the Sanchez Latin Jazz Band but also shares his talent as a member of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band as well as playing regularly with Bill Holman’s Big Band (filling in for the great Andy Martin).
Recording and performance credits in the international scene include Cachao, Celia Cruz, Los Lobos, Roberto Roena, Andy Montañez, Pete and Sheila Escovedo, Juan Gabriel, Emmanuel, Ricky Martin, Alex Acuña, Justo Almario and the great Aretha Franklin. Television credits include Saturday Night Live, Dancing With The Stars, America's Got Talent, The Latin Grammys, the ALMA Awards, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and can be heard in the soundtracks of "Confessions Of A Shopaholic", "Charlie St. Cloud" and "Dance With Me". Francisco has also recorded or performed with Terence Blanchard, Joey DeFrancesco, Bill Cunliffe, Dianne Reeves, Pattie Austin, Natalie Cole, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, Michael Buble, Dr. Dre, and Busta Rhymes.
Francisco maintains a busy touring and clinic schedule, while fitting in studio work when at home. In Francisco's eyes there is only music, not styles. Ever a perfectionist, he strives to give each and every performance what it requires, in any genre. He is a firm believer that you must honor the music.
Past Events
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Jazz at Lincoln Center with
Wynton Marsalis 
Welcome to a Blue Engine Records exclusive listen:
Live in Cuba The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Tuesday, August 18, 2015 5 P.M. Vie de Bohème 1530 SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 For five decades, American and Cuban musicians were divided. Experience the emotional reunion! From bebop to bolero – and beyond, LIVE IN CUBA captures nine-time Grammy Award-winning Wynton Marsalis and the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis's first—and only—performances in Cuba. Explore the profound connections between American jazz and Afro-Cuban music on this two-CD set, the debut release from Blue Engine Records, a new label dedicated to preserving, promoting and pushing forward jazz. Recorded in front of clamorous, sold-out crowds over three nights at Havana's Mella Theatre in October 2010, LIVE IN CUBA finds the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis performing Ellington standards, Afro-Cuban numbers, and distinctly modern compositions from band members. LIVE IN CUBA is the orchestra’s first album in five years and a document of two nations’ indelible cultural connections and of an emotional reunion between long-lost musical cousins. This event is proudly sponsored by: World Fusion Events 
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Portland celebrates International Jazz Day - April 30th 
Christopher Brown - Wine Up on Williams Jazz Jam Session
Laura Cunard - Jazz Jam
April is
Jazz Appreciation Month! International Jazz Day is a yearly event held on April 30th, organized by UNESCO to celebrate “the virtues of Jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people.” This year in Portland, we will be highlighting our Jazz Jams featuring: Christopher Brown, Laura Cunard and Ron Steen and joining over 165 countries who are curating creative events as part of the 4th annual International #Jazzday. WINE UP ON WILLIAMS: Every Thursday Christopher Brown hosts a Jazz Jam session at the new Wine Up On Williams (formerly known as the famed Cleo Lillian Social Club), located on Williams Ave in NE Portland. Since its inception last September, it has quickly become the most sought after session in the city, as it really caters to the musicians "musician." So if you're interested in getting involved with coming down to sit in, then I'd like to encourage you to do just that. The youngest son of Mel Brown, Christopher Brown returns to Portland after having been a long-time resident and player on the NYC scene, bringing an approach to music that’s best described as a type of refined musical grittiness that’s specifically indicative of NYC. Christopher has found a kinship between John Nastos (sax), Greg Goebel (piano), and Dylan Sundstrom (bass) who are more than capable of helping him to present such a musical product to his growing Portland audience. You can also see Christopher with his quartet every Wednesday night at Jimmy Mak’s with “Rewind and Unwind”. This program centers around the raw/immediate emotional impact of the rock and R&B music of the 80’s, tempered by the sophistication that jazz music has to offer. These melodies represent the soundtrack of the 80’s, and the quartet wants to bring folks together to reminisce and reflect, while appreciating the modern jazz approach of the arrangements. LAURA CUNARD’S JAZZ JAM AT COYOTE’S with RON STEEN Laura Cunard is one of the most gifted jazz vocalists to emerge from the Northwest in recent years. Laura has an incredibly wide emotional and vocal range, which she can control with pinpoint perfection, on an array of styles such as an up-tempo scat, a sensuous Bossa Nova or a tender ballad. Like many of the jazz vocal giants such as Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Diane Schuur, Laura is a very accomplished pianist as well. She can accompany herself in a group setting or in a solo format with equal ease. In addition to performing, Laura also teaches voice and piano. For the past four years she has been hosting successful Jazz Jams throughout the Portland metro area in locations such as Clyde’s Prime Rib and Coyote’s bar and Grill. Ron Steen is literally the Godfather of Jazz Jams in Portland, Oregon, and one of the most successful musicians in the area. He has had an ongoing jam session since 1980, and has been hosting Produce Row for about 13 years. Any New York pros that come through town stop in to Produce Row to jam on Monday nights. In addition to hosting at present FIVE jam sessions in town, including the new Vocalist Session at Wilfs, Ron plays regular, casual and club dates. For More Information about the artists and this event please visit: www.coutureofmusic.com www.lauracunard.com www.JAZZDAY.com |
Past Projects..
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Yekra Player
Yekra is a revolutionary new distribution network for feature films.
Song of the New Earth: Tom Kenyon and the Power of Sound is a new documentary about one man’s quest to integrate modern science and ancient mysticism through sound.
An award winning team including Ward Serrill (The Heart of the Game, Miramax) and Betsy Chasse (co-creator of What The Bleep Do We Know?!) present the extraordinary life of Tom Kenyon, a country singer turned brain scientist and sound shaman.
The film follows Kenyon’s journey from the stage on Broadway, to giant caves in the south of France, the golden-chandeliered symphony halls of Vienna and finally to the snowy peaks of Tibet, performing with his unique – almost four octave range – voice which has earned him a worldwide following.
The film explores the cutting edge scientific research which proves that sound shifts brain states and promotes dramatic healing. Song of the New Earth presents not only Tom Kenyon’s extraordinary journey but also an unforgettable experience with sound.
Yekra Player
Yekra is a revolutionary new distribution network for feature films.
Song of the New Earth: Tom Kenyon and the Power of Sound is a new documentary about one man’s quest to integrate modern science and ancient mysticism through sound.
An award winning team including Ward Serrill (The Heart of the Game, Miramax) and Betsy Chasse (co-creator of What The Bleep Do We Know?!) present the extraordinary life of Tom Kenyon, a country singer turned brain scientist and sound shaman.
The film follows Kenyon’s journey from the stage on Broadway, to giant caves in the south of France, the golden-chandeliered symphony halls of Vienna and finally to the snowy peaks of Tibet, performing with his unique – almost four octave range – voice which has earned him a worldwide following.
The film explores the cutting edge scientific research which proves that sound shifts brain states and promotes dramatic healing. Song of the New Earth presents not only Tom Kenyon’s extraordinary journey but also an unforgettable experience with sound.
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Song of the New Earth
Song of the New Earth is a feature documentary about one man's quest to unify ancient mysticism and modern science through sound. As a young man, Tom Kenyon was pursuing a career in country music when he began to experience a series of mystical visions—colloquies with St. Francis and the Virgin Mary that left him in ecstatic union with the cosmos; angels flanking him as he walked his university campus—culminating in a series of encounters with Hathors, interdimensional beings who instructed Kenyon that his musical endeavors had to leave behind the secular and embrace the shamanistic. Kenyon himself is charmingly forthright about the surface impossibility of his claims, and one needn’t be a believer to be compelled by the results. Integrating his own scientific research into the effect of music on the human brain as well as his four-octave range, Kenyon employs pure tones, onomatopoeia, and ancient methods of singing to purge modern neuroses, crafting some of the most distinctive and compelling New Age music ever heard. As helmed by Seattle-based filmmaker Ward Serrill (2005’s The Heart of the Game), this fascinating foray into the mind, teachings, and travels of Kenyon would give pause to even the harshest of skeptics. |
Max Ribner Band
We are honored to be representing the
Max Ribner Band The core of MRB (formerly the Max Ribner Band) came together in 2009, when Berklee College of Music graduate Max arrived in Portland, drawn by its arts scene and natural beauty. Max quickly found himself at the center of a vibrant funk/jazz scene, and built a solid reputation as a top-notch flugelhorn player and musician, aided by performances with local heavyweights Esperanza Spalding, Medicine For the People, and Patrick Lamb to name a few. Max also began forming the musical collective that would one day become MRB, pulling together musicians from all corners of the city: vocalists Matthew Flowers (Shy Girls) and Saeeda Wright, bassist Michael Dougherty, guitarist/producer Joe Hall, singer/songwriter Chris Lay, and Max’s own virtuoso brother on piano/keyboards, Tim Ribner. Beginning in small clubs and street fairs, the band was soon whipping crowds into a frenzy with hypnotic grooves and virtuostic performances. Their 2012 debut,Here in Spirit, is a mesmerizing collection of funky, soulful tunes that draw on jazz, r&b, and pop, demonstrating serious production and arranging skills as well as showcasing Ribner’s talent as a composer. These days MRB is a family affair, with contributions from a wide range of performers in the NW music scene – their live shows have featured appearances by Bibi McGill (Beyoncè) and Liv Warfield (Prince). Deeply rooted in peace, compassion and healing, the band’s message and music is full of inspiration and passion – to see them live is to go on a spiritual journey of sorts, thanks to searing vocals and spoken-word pieces by gospel singer Saeeda Wright. The next Leap to Flame Dream Show will be on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at the Alberta Rose Theatre 3000 NE Alberta St, PDX, Oregon, 97211 $25 general admission, $15 students & seniors $5 Children under 12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. To Purchase tickets please visit: www.albertarosetheatre.com 
Jazz at Lincoln Center with
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Exciting news!!
both the Kiano and Daimen models begin shipping March 1, 2014. See your Kremona dealer for details or visit Kremona Guitars. Kremona Guitars - www.kremonausa.com 
AER -The Acoustic People Signature Artist
Lulo Reinhardt www.aer-amps.com photo by Nicole Bouillon "The audience sometimes expects me to play exclusively in the style of Django Reinhardt, but I have found a style of my own, and I am happy and grateful that the people love it” states Lulo.
Lulo Reinhardt Latin Swing Project |
