Concert Date July 10th, 2012

The Latin-Jazz Coalition was founded in 1986 by award winning trombonist/ composer Demetrios Kastaris. The ensemble has performed in live concerts with such Grammy Award winners, Latin Jazz luminaries, and legends as, Tito Puente, Dave Valentin, Claudio Roditi, Steve Turre, Edy Matinez, Alfredo de la Fé, Oscar Hernandez, Ray Vega, Herman Olivera, Vitín Avilés and many others.

Soon after the group's debut CD "Trombón con Sazón" (Trombone with Spice) in the year 2000, the orchestra earned much critical acclaim and accolades from both Latin music and Jazz critics and in reviews throughout the world. "Trombón con Sazón" was placed in various top spots in the Top 20 Hit Parade Poll in Latin Beat Magazine for 16 consecutive months beginning in August of the year 2000. The recording was placed in the number one spot in February of 2001 in New York City by Vicki Solá of WFDU 89.1 FM.

Some of the rhythms typically used by the Latin-Jazz Coalition include the Rumba (Guaguancó), Son-Montuno, Bembé, Guajira, Mozambique, Cha-cha-chá, Songo, Danzón, Bolero, Samba, Partido Alto, Bossa Nova, Swing, Blues, and Be-bop Jazz.

"A unique new and exciting sound in Latin jazz. The musical level is what I would expect from Tito Puente, Oscar D' Leon or Willie Rosario. One of the best new recordings that I've heard so far this year that combines traditional Latin music, Latin jazz, Brazilian music and Funk. An outstanding effort."  the late Max Salazar, Senior Editor, Latin Beat Magazine much more info, photos, sound samples and video at http://www.thelatinjazzcoalition.com/

Concert Date July 17th, 2012
 

As one of the last black string bands in the U.S., and the only one currently based in NYC, the Ebony Hillbillies keep an important legacy alive with a rootsy, homegrown style that was a key element in the genesis of all american music: jazz, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly, rock and roll, and country. The band is led by Henrique Prince (violin, vocals) and Norris Bennett (banjo, mountain dulcimer, guitar, vocals) and includes William ”Salty Bill” Salter on acoustic bass and vocals, Newman Taylor Baker on washboard, percussion and vocals, and Gloria Thomas Gassaway on bones and vocals. Whether they play for thousands of people at Carnegie Hall or a crowd at Grand Central station, The Ebony Hillbillies bring history alive with the still vibrant sound of Americana, that echoes across generations and transcends all racial and cultural boundaries. They’ve maintained their grassroots credibility while inspiring heartstring tugs and toe-taps in fans of all types of music with a repertoire that pays homage to the traditional, and looks towards the future.

Visit the Ebony Hillbillies' website at http://www.ebonyhillbillies.com/.

Concert Date July 24th, 2012

TAHUANTINSUYO is a pioneer folk music group from the Andes, they helped pave the road for many Andean groups that you come across with in the USA. 

In respect for their traditions, Tahuantinsuyo utilizes regional instruments and costumes during their presentations. 

In modern societies many ethnic groups need information about their cultures to reafirm their pride for their roots and traditions, particularly young people that get cut off from their roots and are raised in environments completely different from their own. 

Tahuantinsuyo's main goal is to help these people to reunite with their culture. 

Due to strong modernization trends and influence from outside, Andean countries have developed in science and technology, but regarding tradition and folklore they are reaching points of almost total stagnation. Modern Andean musicians are persuaded (no to say forced) to forget about their traditions and folklore because they belong in the museum" and are not commercial assets therefore they have to be abandoned to give room to "modernism". This explains why most modern Andean groups, play music that has nothing in common with the music played in the Andes by real Andean musicians (particularly the old musicians which are the true creators and interpreters of Andean music). Modern Andean musicians call their music "the new Andean or fusion music". If these people do not reflect and change that imported attitude, soon we will be without traditions and roots (music, dance, foods, poetry,…all the expressions of our cultures), and without them we are nothing.



TAHUANTINSUYO's message for all is: "whoever you are, wherever you come from, you have roots and your own culture, learn to love and respect it to help keep it alive and teach your children to respect it and show pride for it."

For more information, visit their website at http://www.tahuantinsuyo.org/.

Concert Date July 31st, 2012
 

The Blue Pipa Trio plays Min Xiao-Fen's compositions and arrangements, interpreting and improvising the best of Chinese folk music,  American Jazz standards and even  Bluegrass. 
The Trio features masterful bass work of Dean Johnson and the sensitive playing of guitarist Steve Salerno.

Min Xiao-Fen, appeared at the festival with her jazz trio. Guitarist Stephen Salerno and bassist Dean Johnson made the sound into a full throated string symphony while maintaining a centered focus as Chinese folk, pop and American music were reinterpreted. A popular Chinese pop song from the 1930’s “Fragrant Flowers of Night” served as a forum for an American “Old Timey” take on its melody and as opportunity for Xiao-Fen to display her vocal skills. Likewise, the Chinese folk tune “A Pair Of Flowers” featured pipa banjo flailing and guitar flat pickin’. The traditional bluegrass number “Red-Haired Boy” was given Asian tinge as he was portrayed as the “Red-Haired Boy Dancing with Golden Snake”. Program closer “Fascinating Chinese New Year”, fittingly inspired by the Gershwin tune “Fascinating Rhythm” melded slide guitar with pipa for a cross cultural delight.        

By Elliott Simon  "All About Jazz"

For more information, photos and videos on the Blue Pipa Trio, please visit their website at http://www.bluepipa.org.

Concert Date August 7th, 2012

The York College Big Band is a jazz ensemble composed of talented students and members of the York College music department teaching staff who perform traditional big band jazz arrangements and everything else from the blues, swing, and fusion. The York College Big Band performs regularly at York College and has been invited to perform at the CUNY Jazz Festival, the Forest Hills Jazz Festival, Make Music New York, and at many other events.

Concert Date August 14th, 2012

Since 1995, Philadelphia native Christel Rice has created a sensational and unique style to traditional Irish flute playing. Having great-grandparents who emigrated from Ireland, one of them a local mandolin maker, she stayed true to her roots and began exploring the music. She has studied with the late Michael Rafferty of Ballinakill, Ireland where she has cut her teeth in the regional style of flute playing.

Christel Rice released her first debut solo record "Tunnelvision" in 2001 with Cuezone Records. 

"Her runs and articulations are speedy, but nonetheless possessed of a plaintive soulfulness and verve that reminds the listener of an ecstatic nightingale and deserves a wider listenership."

Rob Wasserman- Colorado Daily

On her record appears Ty Burhoe/tablas, Jessie Burns/fiddle of Gaelic Storm/The Wayfarers, Tony DeMarco/fiddle with Green Linnet Records, Jefferson Hamer/banjo of The Wayfarers, Sean Sutherland/guitar of The Wayfarers, and Eric Thorin/bass with Rounder Records.

She has opened and shared the stage with various acclaimed artists such as Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, Boys of the Lough, Liz Carroll and John Doyle, and Nickel Creek to name a few.  She has taught and performed at festivals across the country, including the Dublin Irish Festival with the John Whelan Band, Celtic Classic Festival with the John Whelan Band, Colorado Irish Festival with the Wayfarers, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival with the Wayfarers.  Christel Rice is  presently in the John Whelan Band on flute/whistles and teaches tin whistle/flute at the New York Irish Center in NYC.

For more information about Christel Rice, please visit her website at http://www.christelrice.com/.