American Center Brings Latin Jazz to Colombo

 

Colombo, February 14, 2006:  The American Center of the U.S. Embassy is bringing the “Rhythmic Prophecies” Latin Jazz Ensemble to Sri Lanka.  A public performance is scheduled for Sunday, February 19 at 7:30 pm at Barefoot Gallery.  Tickets are available at Barefoot Gallery and the American Center.
 
The Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble is comprised of Reinaldo De Jesus Corchado, Luques Curtis, Richie Barshay and Zacchai Curtis.  Rhythmic Prophecies’ repertoire consists of original compositions as well as original arrangements of certain jazz standards. These young musicians haven't ignored or forgotten the innovators and the "roots" of the music they study but they play in a combination of styles. They absorb every thing they can, and then produce something that is unique. With well-blended sounds from the Caribbean, Americas, Africa and other parts of the world, Rhythmic Prophecies is something fresh and new, something never experienced before. Together, they combine their education and intuition to allow them to experiment, stretch and explore in all areas in music.

The American Center of the U.S. Embassy is bringing the “Rhythmic Prophecies” Latin Jazz Ensemble to Sri Lanka.  A public performance is scheduled for Sunday, February 19 at 7:30 pm at Barefoot Gallery.  Tickets are available at Barefoot Gallery and the American Center. The Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble is comprised of Reinaldo De Jesus Corchado, Luques Curtis, Richie Barshay and Zacchai Curtis.  Rhythmic Prophecies’ repertoire consists of original compositions as well as original arrangements of certain jazz standards. These young musicians haven't ignored or forgotten the innovators and the "roots" of the music they study but they play in a combination of styles. They absorb every thing they can, and then produce something that is unique. With well-blended sounds from the Caribbean, Americas, Africa and other parts of the world, Rhythmic Prophecies is something fresh and new, something never experienced before. Together, they combine their education and intuition to allow them to experiment, stretch and explore in all areas in music.

Latin jazz is not a subcategory of jazz like Bebop, Big Band Swing, or Cool.  It has its own unique history, performance practices, and musical concepts.  Just as jazz emerged from New Orleans and developed into a national music with diverse styles, Latin jazz grew from its roots in Europe, Africa, and the Americas into a strong musical tree with it own stylistic branches.

Latin jazz reached its peak popularity with the mambo craze of the late 1940s/early 1950s, inspired by the legendary percussionist and bandleader Tito Puente, among others.  Latinized rhythms have since been used to varying degrees of success by a range of jazz artists from Stan Kenton to Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington to Chick Corea, and nearly everyone in between.

Percussionist Reinaldo De Jesus Corchado was born in Barrio Obrero, Santurce, Puerto Rico. He studied at Escuela Libre de Musica, the University of Puerto Rico, and the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. He has performed with salsa singers Charlie Cruz, Obie Bermudes, Rey Ruiz, and more. Mr. De Jesus Corchado also worked with Latin Jazz musicians such as Humberto Ramirez and Julio Alvarado, among others, and he has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Luques Curtis was born in Hartford, Connecticut and currently attends Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full scholarship. He was introduced to jazz as a member of the Artists Collective Youth Orchestra. As a sophomore at Berklee, Luques, who plays the bass, was invited by Donald Harrison to be a member of his quintet and has toured with Mr. Harrison at jazz festivals in Spain, Switzerland, and New Orleans.

Percussionist Richie Barshay performs internationally in a wide range of musical settings, including performances with Herbie Hancock among others. Mr. Barshay is a founding member of the internationally renowned contemporary Afro-Cuban jazz band, Insight, and is also a member of Khevre -- a popular Klezmer ensemble promoting new Jewish music. Currently based in Boston, he is completing a bachelor's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Zaccai Curtis has been performing since the age of five. As a young child, he studied many styles of music including jazz, salsa and classical. As a high school student, Mr. Zaccai earned many festival musical awards and was recognized by Down Beat as a top piano performer. He was also chosen as the pianist for the National Grammy Band Combo. He is currently pursuing his master's degree at the New England Conservatory. In 2003, Mr. Zaccai was chosen as a winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer's Competition.

The Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble is part of the “The Rhythm Road: America Music Abroad” program, co-produced by the United States Department of State and Jazz at Lincoln Center.   Their goal is to share American music as a vehicle of communication with other countries and to increase exposure to the varieties of American culture. 

The Rhythm Road tour began a worldwide tour in January 2006 and will tour countries in Latin American, Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe and the Balkans. In Sri Lanka, in addition to the public performance on Sunday, February 19, the Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble will conduct master classes with music students from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Jazz at Lincoln Center, located in New York City, is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to jazz. With the world-renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and a comprehensive array of guest artists, Jazz at Lincoln Center advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of performance, education and broadcast events for audiences of all ages.  Its Artistic Director is world-famous trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. For more information, visit www.jalc.org.