World Fusion Events Signature Artists
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FLAMENCO
Jose Luis Rodriguez: Flamenco Guitarist
www.joseluisdelapaz.com
Jose Luis de la Paz (1967) is an award-winning guitarist, recognized in all three disciplines of the Flamenco Art. He is a composer, virtuoso and performer whose original compositions range from the most traditional to the most experimental forms in flamenco music. Following the oral traditions of the form, he became the prized pupil of the legendary Mario Escudero at the age of 15.
In 1995 he appeared in Felix Grande's book "Agenda Flamenca" as one of the best guitarists in Spain.
He was the musical director for the Ballet Cristina Hoyos for ten years (the star of Carlos Saura’s films) and has accompanied numerous famous Flamenco singers and dancers such as, Carmen Linares, Jose Mercé, Arcángel, El Pele, Argentina, Manolo Marin, Pastora Galván, Isabel Bayón, Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Concha Buika and Belen Maya among others.
Additionally, he recently collaborated with the LA Philharmonic and Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, under the artistic direction of Siudy Garrido Company in “El Amor Brujo.”
In 2015, Jose Luis debuted a piece of musical history at the Miami Dade Auditorium entitled "Avalon: Suite for Flamenco Guitar and Orchestra,” in collaboration with Alex Conde(arrangements/orchestration). This work is the first of its kind composed in the US by Spanish artists with a national and international cast.
In 2016 he released his newly remastered CD "Escenas de Yerma" originally commissioned by Ballet Andaluz and Ballet Cristina Hoyos and performed live throughout Europe and Japan. That same year, he was nominated for the US Artist Fellowship.
Jose Luis is currently working on the Soundtrack for the movie "Finding Compás" by Kathy Douglas and he is finishing a new cd of Sephardic music and flamenco guitar for Susana Behar (singer).
He will interpret the Concierto de Aranjuez with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra in November 2017 and will be touring with the Florida Symphony Orchestra and Siudy Garrido in “El Amor Brujo.”
Jose Luis is co-founder with Niurca Marquez (choreographer/dancer) of Nu Flamenco Collaborative, an organization that aims to introduce US audiences to the cultural heritage of flamenco and its emerging artistic expressions.
JAZZ
Francesco Cataldo
www.francescocataldo.eu
The Francesco Cataldo Quintet has toured with some Jazz greats in Europe and this will be his touring debut in the United States.
Francesco Cataldo was recently singled out by Jazzwise as “a musician of great sensitivity, a prolific composer whose work is heavily influenced by life in the Mediterranean.”
In 2012 he recorded "Spaces" (AlfaMusic) at Sear Sound Studios in New York. For this New York session, Cataldo was joined by bassist Scott Colley, alto saxophonist David Binney, pianist Salvatore Bonafede, drummer Clarence Penn, cellist Erik Friedlander, who blended seamlessly into the spirit of the leader’s compositions. On April 2014 Francesco was joined on stage by pianist Kenny Werner for “Spaces” launch tour in Italy.
Francesco Cataldo is a triple threat handling guitars, compositions and arrangements. The diversity in Cataldo's compositions are striking and his artistic voice is one of those rare moments when an artist is playing from somewhere far deeper than their soul.
The well-conceived and richly delivered debut album underlines the creative forces that push the music ahead into new territory. There is a strong suggestion of the ECM aesthetic in the pacing and sound of this disc but in generally has a warmer and livelier feel that that. The set mixes calm beauty and rhythmic muscle for compelling music.
“Spaces” includes 13 tunes, some inspired by Italy’s stunning cities (Rome, Perugia, Siracusa and its old city, Ortigia), lovely melodies (Algerian Waltz, Your Silence - a Cataldo solo, Tourist in My Town), and the title track, the longest piece and so intimate the musicians seem to be addressing the listener, as well as each other.
Francesco Cataldo's name appears in "Italian Jazz Dictionary" (Flavio Caprera, Feltrinelli 2014).
The magazine "Musica Jazz" included Francesco Cataldo Quintet in the list of Top Jazz Groups 2014.
“…The CD’s stretched notes, aerial atmosphere and preference for moods over beats and rhythms point to the ECM aesthetic…” Downbeat Magazine
Beverly Ritz: Solo Jazz Pianist
www.ritzymusic.com
Beverly Ritz is a highly respected pianist, composer, and recording artist. Born in Washington, D.C., she grew up listening to beautiful music. When her father drove her to school, she was inundated with the sounds of classical music. In the house, her mother listened to the songs of Jobim and Mancini on popular radio. Beverly began to write down the music she heard in her head even before starting piano lessons at the age of 8. By the time she was in 3rd grade, Ritz realized she had a God-given mission to write, record, and perform music that would transform the moods and lives of its listeners.
Beverly's recording, BY ROWDY CREEK, was endorsed by Jessica Williams, George Kahn, and Tim Merritt. Along with George Cables' album, it was chosen as one of the top 25 CDs of 2007 by www.Indie-Music.com. It was the first Ritz recording to get airplay on NPR stations.
The 2009 release, LACEY MAE, set a record for airplay with all nine tracks broadcast on "Saturday Night Jazz" in 9 weeks on KMHD in Portland, Oregon!! The album--with liner notes by jazz critic Scott Yanow--continues to receive airplay on NPR and jazz stations across the USA.
BUDDY AND ME, Beverly's 2013 release, allowed Beverly to achieve goals she set for herself as a child--hearing her music on the radio countless times.
BLUES FOR DJANGO, the 2016 album, has been named one of the top 15 CDs of the year by renowned jazz critic Luis Raul Montell of The Jazz Global Beat.
Her reputation as a recording artist has opened the doors to many prestigious music venues, including: The Performing Arts Center in Newport, Oregon, The Lincoln City Cultural Center, The Inn at Otter Crest & Café Mundo in Oregon, and The Eureka Inn and Patrick Creek Lodge in Northern California.
Ralph Peterson: Jazz Drummer
www.ralphpetersonmusic.com
Ralph Peterson plays Drums with all bands except the Generation Next Big Band which he plays Trumpet.
- Aggregate Prime
- Messenger Legacy
- Triangular (Ralph Peterson Trio)
- The Fo’tet
- The PAC Quartet
- The Sextet
- The Unity Project
- Generation Next Big Band (Ralph plays trumpet with this group)
Ralph Peterson Jr. is an American jazz drummer and bandleader.
Four of Peterson's uncles and his grandfather were drummers. Peterson himself began on percussion at age three. He was raised in Pleasantville, where he played trumpet at Pleasantville High School and worked locally in funk groups. He applied to Livingston College and Rutgers to study drums, but he failed the percussion entrance exam and enrolled as a trumpeter instead, graduating in 1984.
In 1983, he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers as the second drummer, playing with him for several years. He worked with Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison in 1984 and with Walter Davis (1985, 1989), Tom Harrell (1985), Out of the Blue (1985–88), Branford Marsalis (1986), David Murray, Craig Harris (1987), James Spaulding (1988), Roy Hargrove (1989), Jon Faddis (1989), Dewey Redman and Mark Helias (1989), and Wynton Marsalis (with the Count Basie ghost band).
During the 1990s, Peterson played as a sideman with Jack Walrath, Craig Handy, Charles Lloyd, Kip Hanrahan (1992), Bheki Mseleku, Courtney Pine, Steve Coleman, George Colligan, Stanley Cowell, Mark Shim, and Betty Carter. He began recording as a leader around 1988, with a quintet V, or Volition, with Terence Blanchard, Steve Wilson, Geri Allen, and Phil Bowler. He also worked with Allen and Bowler as a trio in Triangular; Essiet Essiet replaced Bowler for their 1988 recording. In 1989 he recorded in quartet format as Fo'tet with Don Byron, Steve Wilson (later Bobby Franchesini), Melissa Slocum (later Belden Bullock), and Bryan Carrott. After living in Canada for some time, he returned to Philadelphia, where he worked with Fo'Tet and recorded as Triangular Too with Slocum and Uri Caine. He also led the group Hip Pocket, with whom he played trumpet.
Peterson currently teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
GYPSY JAZZ
Olli Soikkeli & Julien Labro Quartet
www.julienlabro.com
www.ollisoikkeli.com
Finnish guitarist, Olli Soikkeli and French accordionist, Julien Labro, met each other at a festival in Colorado in 2016. Both based in New York City, they decided to join forces and bring their new take to the Gypsy Jazz style. Joined by Brazilian bassist, Eduardo Belo and rhythm guitarist, Max O’Rourke, they’ll be performing their dynamic and fiery arrangements of Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions.
Olli Soikkeli was born in Nurmes, Finland, in 1991 and is now based in New York City. He started playing guitar at age of 12. After a few years of playing, Olli was introduced to the music of great Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz has been his main-focus ever since. Soon he was playing in jazz clubs and festivals all around Finland. In 2014, after touring Europe, Olli decided to move to New York City, where he has played legendary venues such as Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note and the Lincoln Center, with stars such as Bucky Pizzarelli, Stochelo Rosenberg, Tommy Emmanuel, Andreas Öberg, Cyrille Aimee, Anat Cohen, Antti Sarpila and Marian Petrescu.
In 2011 Olli recorded his first album, “Trois Générations“, with Hot Club de Finlande and Vitali Imereli. In 2012, he recorded his second album, “Kouvola Junction“, with Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud Vandenberg. 2014 Rhythm Future Quartet’s debut album was released. In 2016 Rhythm Future Quartet’s second album ‘Travels’ was released, which received rave reviews including Best albums of 2016 by Huffington Post and All About Jazz magazines.
Julien Labro, has established himself as one of the foremost accordion and bandoneón players in both the classical and jazz genres. French-born Labro was influenced early on by traditional folk music and the melodic, lyrical quality of the French chanson. Upon discovering the music of jazz legends like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Django, he quickly became inspired by the originality, freedom, creativity, and the endless possibilities in their musical language. After graduating from the Marseille Conservatory of Music, Labro began winning international awards, then moved to the United States, where he earned graduate degrees in Classical Music, Jazz Studies and Composition. Julien draws from both his diverse academic background and eclectic musical influences in his professional life as a performer, arranger, and composer.
Piazzolla, a major influence and the reason Julien picked up the bandoneón, is also the title of his album with classical guitarist and Grammy-award winner, Jason Vieaux and A Far Cry chamber orchestra. Other releases include Grammy-award winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson’s Another Country and critically acclaimed Hot Club of Detroit’s Junction, which features many of Labro’s original compositions.
CONTEMPORARY LATIN JAZZ
Greg Diamond
www.gregdiamondmusic.com
Critically acclaimed Brooklyn-based guitarist, composer, and bandleader Greg Diamond creates music inspired by Latin American sounds and rhythms which he seamlessly infuses into the context of modern New York-style jazz -- with modal harmonies, odd meters, and various other elements that comprise the city's vibrant and dynamic musical tapestry. All About Jazz hails Diamond, who is of mixed Colombian and Jewish-American origin, as “a rising star in the New York jazz scene..".
Latin Jazz Network writes that Diamond is a “composer of great maturity and genius” and also featured his sophomore release “Conduit” (Dot Time) as an Editor’s Pick for “Best Albums of 2012”. Indeed, Diamond has cultivated a distinguishable sound, with his own his writing, a crack ensemble, and also for his use of the electric guitar, an instrument rarely utilized in the context of contemporary Latin jazz. New York since the early 20th century has been known to the world as a cultural “melting pot" -- that trend still continues today in the music scene, and Diamond’s musical journey is a testament to that.
Greg and his group have been seen performing at numerous premier New York venues such as: The Blue Note, Iridium Jazz Club, Joe’s Pub, Smalls Jazz Club, Zinc Bar, and Nublu; not to mention numerous festival presentations, among them: The Madrid International Jazz Festival, Barranquijazz Festival, Jimmy Glass Jazz Festival, Teatro Libre Jazz Festival, Medejazz Festival, Jazz al Parque Festival, and the Nublu Jazz Festival. In 2007, he was a semi-finalist at The Gibson International Jazz Guitar Competition hosted by The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where he performed before jazz guitar legend George Benson.
Diamond has shared the stage with luminaries the likes of Seamus Blake, Steve Turre, Hector Martignon, Antonio Hart, Jon Benitez, Henry Cole, Oscar Stagnaro, Stacy Dillard, Emilio Solla, Michael Philip Mossman, Don Friedman, Gretchen Parlato, Asha Puthli, and many others.
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ
Rob Tardik
www.robtardik.com
In a career spanning over two decades, Canadian artist Rob Tardik has established himself as a multi-award winning guitarist and contemporary jazz/world instrumental music artist. He has performed at venues across North America, including the prestigious Glenn Gould Theatre in Toronto. Rob enjoyed a stellar release with his 2011/12 3rd CD release Balance, Energy, Laughter, Love (B.E.L.L.) which spawned 3 U.S Billboard singles two of which went Top 10. Rob was featured on the cover story for the Oct/Nov 2012 issue of Smooth Jazz News Magazine and his single “Christmas Morning” was Billboard’s most added holiday track in 2012. B.E.L.L. also made the top 50 list of 2012 on SmoothJazz.com coming in at #15 and was a top 10 album (#6) in Smooth Jazz News Magazine, 2011. Café Jazz Radio named Rob the #1 Canadian Smooth Jazz Artist for 2011 and B.E.L.L. its #1 CD for 2011 and “East Meets Wes” the #1 single of the year.
Rob recently placed 1st overall in the instrumental category in the prestigious 2017 IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards), for his acoustic fingerstyle song titled “Voyageur” off his Moments album. He has finished working on his upcoming 6th album SYNERGY, which is now available starting November 2017, with the first title track single debuting as the #1 added track on the Billboard contemporary jazz charts. His 2016 holiday track “Christmas Moments” and his sultry fall romantic single, “Eros” (Passion) both debuted as one of the most added tracks on the Billboard U.S Smooth Jazz charts, from his 5th Album “Moments” released in November 2015.
Rob’s earlier two singles in 2016, “Right of Passage” and “Hang Time” were the #1 most added new tracks on the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts. Rob released his 4th studio CD “Limitless” at the end of summer 2013. His first single “One World” went to #1 on the charts for 3 weeks in summer/fall 2013. In 2010, Rob won the prestigious Canadian Smooth Jazz Guitarist of the Year; and held the #1 spot on the U.S.-based, Music Choice Contemporary Jazz charts for 4 weeks in Sept/Oct 2010. Rob is currently on the guitar faculty at Centennial College, Metal Works Institute, and the Merriam School of Music and studied music at York University in Toronto. He has worked for Roland Canada as a guitar product specialist. Rob also holds diplomas in Recording Engineering from TRW and in Media Arts from Humber College. Rob has also been honoured, being named Mississauga’s 2007 “Established Performer of the Year”, and nominated again in 2016, and 2017. This award was previously won by Oscar Peterson and Rik Emmett. Rob is currently endorsed by Godin Guitars, Roland Canada and D’Addario Music.
LATIN JAZZ
Language of Latin Jazz Series
Language of Latin Jazz - New Program coming in Winter, 2017-2018 under the musical direction of Zaccai Curtis, Rene Camacho and Greg Diamond.
Our Mission:
Language of Latin Jazz – A Cultural & Musical Dialogue:
Our mission is to produce educational events and musical experiences 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, East and West Coast cultures. The Language of latin Jazz Series will be a traveling, cultural roadshow!
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Zaccai Curtis
Zaccai Curtis composes and arranges for his own quartet, trio, Big-Band and more. In 2003 he was chosen as a winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s competition and each year consecutively through 2006. Zaccai and his quartet were selected by the U.S. State Department to be in the American Music Abroad (Jazz Ambassadors) program two times in 2006. Zaccai, along with his brothers Luques, has developed a recording collective(TRRcollective) of musicians that produce music on their own terms. He is proud to have been a producer for the GRAMMY nominated album (Entre Colegas 2016) released on the label (Truth Revolution Records/TRRcollective). This year, Zaccai created the first ever music news app developed for a record label: 'TRRcollective' available on iTunes and android.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Rene Camacho
Under the musical direction of seasoned, touring musician, educator, composer, arranger, acoustic, electric bassist and vocalist, Rene Camacho, the music program will be curated to encompass Latin American jazz sounds and highlight local and internationally acclaimed songwriters and musicians. The series will also present music education workshops. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1996, Rene has had the opportunity to explore many musical ventures, both in live performances and sound recordings including a five-year stint with Celia Cruz. There were also brief appearances with artists such as Tito Puente. Rene continues to actively record with artists from all over the musical world and currently tours with Draco Rosa, Kevin Eubanks, Poncho Sanchez and WAR.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Greg Diamond
Critically acclaimed Brooklyn-based guitarist, composer, and bandleader Greg Diamond creates music inspired by Latin American sounds and rhythms which he seamlessly infuses into the context of modern New York-style jazz -- with modal harmonies, odd meters, and various other elements that comprise the city's vibrant and dynamic musical tapestry. All About Jazz hails Diamond, who is of mixed Colombian and Jewish-American origin, as “a rising star in the New York jazz scene..".
Latin Jazz Network writes that Diamond is a “composer of great maturity and genius” and also featured his sophomore release “Conduit” (Dot Time) as an Editor’s Pick for “Best Albums of 2012”. Indeed, Diamond has cultivated a distinguishable sound, with his own his writing, a crack ensemble, and also for his use of the electric guitar, an instrument rarely utilized in the context of contemporary Latin jazz. New York since the early 20th century has been known to the world as a cultural “melting pot" -- that trend still continues today in the music scene, and Diamond’s musical journey is a testament to that.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
World Fusion Events is an Artist Management and Events Company dedicated to providing the 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. World Fusion Events specializes in connecting people with eclectic World Music Concerts, Cocktails and Culture Dialogues, Language of Latin Jazz Series and Traveling Art Exhibitions.
Susie Hanson Latin Band
www.susiehanson.com
Electric violinist and vocalist Susie Hansen plays fiery Latin Jazz and Salsa, creating music that brings audiences to their feet, dancing in the aisles. Susie and her Los Angeles-based band have been acclaimed by many critics, such as Phil Elwood from the San Francisco Examiner who describes them this way: “It’s a sizzling, swinging Salsa band. Hansen can solo as if her bow was afire. The whole room was jumpin’ for joy.”
The Chicago native is a well-established jazz musician, and has developed a unique and exciting style that features her electric violin as the lead instrument of the ensemble. She has drawn on various forms of jazz and Latin music, integrating her own interpretation of traditional Cuban Charanga, a predecessor of Salsa which often features the violin, utilizing the ever-potent fire of Afro-Cuban rhythms and incorporating the compelling harmonies of straight-ahead jazz. According to Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times, Susie “creates a brand of music that is as physically moving as it is intellectually stimulating.” Besides Susie, her all-star band features Daniel Castillo on lead vocals in Spanish, Kaspar Abbo on lead vocals in English and on guitar, the one-and-only Joe Rotondi on piano, John Belzaguy on bass, and Tony Shogren on timbales.
Mark Holston wrote in JAZZIZ Magazine, “her violin speaks the language of Latin Jazz with total fluency.” A long-time favorite in Los Angeles, Susie and her band play 150 live performances per year, including such events as the Playboy Jazz Festival, Fiesta Broadway, San Jose Jazz Festival, LA Salsa Festival and Newport Beach Jazz Festival. She has toured nationally with her band, and has appeared with Tito Puente, Giovani Hidalgo, Paquito d’Rivera, Orquesta Broadway, Vikki Carr, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars, Orquesta Aragon, El Gran Combo, Los Van Van and Sonora Ponceña.
Susie Hansen is a recording artist on Jazz Caliente Records with three releases: her current CD, Representante de la Salsa; her second CD, The Salsa Never Ends and her debut CD, Solo Flight. Susie plays the electric 5-string Zeta violin. Her music receives extensive airplay across the United States and in Europe, South America, and Asia, and a number of singles from her CDs have charted well with radio and club DJs all over the world.