Arturo O'Farrill Quartet - One Adam 12 Mambo

Arturo O'Farrill, John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Ivan Renta perform Arturo's "One Adam 12 Mambo" at Dizzy's.

Arturo O'Farrill Quartet - "Mi Vida"

Arturo O'Farrill, John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Ivan Renta play "Mi Vida," composed by Arturo O'Farrill, at Dizzy's.

Arturo O'Farrill Quartet - "Blue State Blues"

Arturo O'Farrill, John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, and Ivan Renta play "Blue State Blues", composed by Arturo O'Farrill, at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola in December 2010.

ALJO in Cuba

Arturo's father, Chico O'Farrill, desired to return to Cuba for many years, but passed away in 2001 before he could. When Arturo O'Farrill attended Plaza Jazz Festival in Havana in 2002, he was inspired to bring his father's orchestra to Cuba for his father.
Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra traveled to Cuba for a week long trip on December 13th. During their stay there, they will have podcasts of their interviews and activities in Cuba, which include giving master classes with Cuban music students at Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, programs with various jazz musicians, performances at the Havana jazz festival and the premier of Fathers and Sons: From Havana to New York and Back.
This trip will be documented in a film named Oye Cuba! A Journey Home, produced by Diane Sylvester, to share Chico O'Farrill's legacy and the historic, cultural and educational exchange of jazz music in Cuba with Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Orchestra.

Arturo O'Farrill's Quartet - No Way Off

Arturo O'Farrill, John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Ivan Renta perform Arturo's "No Way Off" at Dizzy's.

Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player Jim Seeley

Journalist Bill Blankenship in The Topeka Capital-Journal reports on Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player Jim Seeley return to his hometown. Jim's career includes one Grammy nomination and one win for CDs he recorded with us -- Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Seeley also wrote one of the songs on our Grammy-winning album Song For Chico.

"Villa Palmeras" at Symphony Space 11/6/10

Arturo O'Farill, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, solo saxophonist Miguel Zenón and Los Pleneros de la 21 perform "Villa Palmeras" at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Oyelo" at Symphony Space 11/6/10

Arturo O'Farill, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, solo saxophonist Miguel Zenón and Los Pleneros de la 21 perform "Oyelo" at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

Please join us at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola!

Please join us at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola!

Arturo O'Farrill with John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Ivan Renta
On December 12th, George Mraz replaces John Patitucci

Tuesday-Sunday, December 7-12 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Plus 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday

Cover: $30-$35, Students: $15 with valid student ID

Jazz at Lincoln Center
Broadway at 60th Street, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10023

http://jalc.org/dccc/details09.asp?EventID=2477

"Afro Puerto Rican Jazz Suite" at Symphony Space 11/6/10

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform the "Afro Puerto Rican Jazz Suite" with saxophone soloists Miguel Zenón and Ivan Renta at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

(Part 1)

(Part 2)

"Azulito" at Symphony Space 11/6/10

Ray Santos conducts Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz orchestra in their performance of "Azulito" at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Blue State Blues" at Symphony Space 11-6-10

Arturo O'Farrill and Miguel Zenón perform Arturo's original "Blue State Blues" with a small group of ALJO members in Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Esta Plena" at Symphony Space 11-6-10

Arturo O'Farill, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, solo saxophonist Miguel Zenón and Los Pleneros de la 21 perform "Esta Plena" at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Iron Jungle" by Papo Vazquez 11-6-10

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Iron Jungle" by Papo Vazquez at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Sunny Ray" by Ray Santos 11-6-10

Ray Santos conducts Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in their performance of his original piece "Sunny Ray" at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Cochise" by Ray Santos - 11/6/10

Ray Santos helps conduct Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in the performance of "Cochise," his own composition, at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Alma Vacia" at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Alma Vacia," composed by Miguel Blanco, at Symphony Space on November 6, 2010.

"Dia de los Muertos" by Arturo O'Farrill

Dia de los Muertos, Part 1


Dia de los Muertos, Part 2

"Ruminaciones Sobre Cuba" by Arturo O'Farrill

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays Ruminaciones Sobre Cuba by Arturo O'Farrill.

Arturo's Cuba trip gets great press!

Our upcoming Cuba trip is getting great press!

From Stephanie Simon and the other wonderful folks at NY1:

Latin Jazz musician and bandleader Arturo O'Farrill has performed all over the world, but no trip can rival the one he has planned for December. O’Farrill has be given permission to fly to Cuba for a historic concert that fulfills a lifelong dream. NY1's Stephanie Simon filed the following exclusive report on O'Farrill's plans to perform his father's music in Cuba for the first time.

From Ben Ratcliff at the NYTimes ArtsBeat:

The Brooklyn-based pianist and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill announced over the weekend that he would appear at the 26th annual Havana International Plaza Jazz festival, Dec. 16-19. Mr. O’Farrill is the son of Chico O’Farrill, the Cuban-born composer and arranger, who died in 2001. The elder O’Farrill, one of the architects of Afro-Cuban jazz, who collaborated with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and others in landmark works of the 1950s like “The Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite” and “The Manteca Suite,” never managed to returned to his homeland after leaving it in 1960.

From the awesome Ken Franckling's blog Jazz Notes (Ken's is a profound take on the situation):

After all these years, is there anything more senseless than the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba? I think not, but some are bound to disagree. But the arts are thawing the iceberg a bit – and jazz is at the forefront of that relaxation...

Ken's piece also appeared in Jazz Times.

In NPR's wonderful (and wonderfully named) A Blog Supreme, Felix Contreras writes:

When Cuban-born jazz arranger Chico O'Farrill died in 2001, his one great lament was not being able to return to the island of his birth, according to his son, pianist/bandleader Arturo O'Farrill. The younger O'Farrill will close the musical and familial circle next month when he takes the New York-based orchestra his father created to Cuba...

http://jazztimes.com/sections/franckling/articles/26760-jazz-in-cuba

"Heptagonesque" by David Bixler

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays David Bixler's "Heptagonesque" at Symphony Space on MArch 6, 2009.

"El Sur" by Gabriel Alegria

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays "El Sur" at the Symphony Space on March 6, 2009, playing El Sur with composer Gabriel Alegria.

Afro Latin Jazz Alliance plays Tito Puente

Afro Latin Jazz Alliance plays Tito Puente on Father's day, June 17, 2009.

We Are The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

An introduction to the members of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Adelphi University.

"The Afro Cuban Jazz Suite" by Chico O'Farrill - Part 2

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "The Afro Cuban Jazz Suite," composed by Chico O'Farrill, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"The Afro Cuban Jazz Suite" by Chico O'Farrill - Part 1

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "The Afro Cuban Jazz Suite," composed by Chico O'Farrill, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"Tanguango" by Astor Piazzolla

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Tanguango," composed by Astor Piazzolla and arranged by Michael Philip Mossman, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"El Minotauro" by Guillermo Klein

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "El Minotauro," composed by Guillermo Klein, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"Caravan" by Juan Tizol at Adelphi University

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Caravan," composed by Juan Tizol, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"Caravan" by Juan Tizol

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Caravan," composed by Juan Tizol, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"40 Acres and a Burro" by Arturo O'Farrill

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "40 Acres and a Burro," composed by Arturo O'Farrill, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"Alma Vacia" by Miguel Blanco

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Alma Vacia," composed by Miguel Blanco, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"A Wise Latina" at Adelphi

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "A Wise Latina," composed by Arturo O'Farrill in honor of the nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court and commissioned by Symphony Space, The Bronx Museum, and RD Rice, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"Picadillo" at Adelphi

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "Picadillo," composed by Eddie Palmieri, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

"A Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia," arranged by Michael Philip Mossman, at Adelphi University on Friday, October 1, 2010.

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on Father's Day June 09

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on Father's Day June 21, 2009 at Symphony Space.

Father's Day, June 21, 2009

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on Father's Day June 21, 2009 at Symphony Space.

"Sunny Ray" by Ray Santos

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays "Sunny Ray" composed by Ray Santos at Symphony Space on November 5, 2009.

The Arturo O'Farrill Quartet

The Arturo O'Farrill Quartet is performing at Symphony Space on October 7th.
You can get tickets here.

http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/6490-arturo-ofarrill-quartet?source=calendar

"The Composing Process" by Adam O'Farrill

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays "The Composing Process" by Adam O'Farrill on November 5, 2009 at Symphony Space.

"Para los Rumberos" at Adelphi University

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra closed their concert at Adelphi University with "Para los Rumberos," which inspired some of the audience get up and dance.

African Sunrise Suite

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra with Randy Weston Play African Sunrise Suite at Symphony Space on November 5, 2009.

Please vote for Arturo at the Do Gooder Awards!

Dear friends,

Arturo's been nominated for the Brooklyn Community Foundation's Do Gooder Awards! Voting runs October 1-15, and the top 5 finalists will receive $5K to be given to the organization of their choice.

Here is Arturo's Do Gooder page, where you can vote for him once a day during October 1-15.

Here's the Do Gooder Awards website where you can get more info.

Thank you for participating in the first ever Brooklyn Do Gooder Awards Campaign -- you’re helping make Brooklyn better and stronger.

Also, please enjoy a video featuring some Brooklyn Do Gooder poetry by local young people and produced by two of our amazing grantee partners: Reel Works Teen Filmaking and Urban Word.

ALJO with Randy Weston Play African Village

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra with Randy Weston Play African Village Bedford Stuyvesant at Symphony Space on November 5, 2009.

ALJO at Adelphi University

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra are performing at Adelphi on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Get tickets here:

http://aupac.adelphi.edu/events/arturo-ofarrill.php

"A Wise Latina" at Symphony Space

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays "A Wise Latina" in honor of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor composed by Arturo O'Farrill. World premiere on November 5, 2009 at Symphony Space.

"Canta Brasil"

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays "Canta Brasil" at Brazil Big Band Festival.

"Campo Grande" by Gilson Perenzetta

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra plays Gilson Perenzetta's "Campo Grande" at Big Band Festival.

"Fibra" by Paulo Mourra

ALJO plays Paulo Mourra's "Fibra"

Afro Latin Jazz Alliance Website Calendar

Curious about where Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra are? Check for past and upcoming performances on the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance websites calendar.

http://www.afrolatinjazz.org/calendar.html

"Bebé" by Hermeto Pascoal

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performs "Bebé" by Hermeto Pascoal.

"Umzzero" by Hermeto Pascoal

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performs Hermeto Pascoal's "Umzzero".

"IOIO" by Nelson Faria

ALJO plays "IOIO" Nelson Faria.

Our latest schedule -- please join us where and when you can!

Dear friends, here is our latest schedule -- we'd love you to join us at any of our following performances:

September 20, 2010: ALJO at Kanazawa Street Festival, Kanazawa, Japan

September 21, 2010: ALJO at Kannai Hall, Yokohama, Japan

October 1, 2010: ALJO at Adelphi University, Garden City, NY

October 7, 2010: Arturo O'Farrill Quartet at Symphony Space

October 9, 2010: Arturo O'Farrill and Company at the Museum of the City of New York

October 22-24, 2010: Taichung Jazz Festival, Taichung, Taiwan

November 6, 2010: ALJO at Symphony Space

Puerto Rico, More than Salsa

Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra explore new and existing trends in Puerto Rican music. Special attention is paid to folkloric and traditional forms, especially Bomba and Plena. The traditional instruments of Bomba and Plena are employed and special guest percussionists are invited. Repertoire will highlight the works of William Cepeda with arrangements by Michael Webster, William Cepeda, Papo Vazquez, and others. Highlights will include Mombrogo, Iron Jungle, and new works. Special guests include Miguel Zenon and William Cepeda. It will be a gorgeous evening of recognizing the indigenous and brilliant music of Puerto Rico!

December 6-12, 2010: Arturo at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola

January 20, 2011: Salon: Arturo O'Farrill at Symphony Space

February 26, 2011: ALJO at Symphony Space http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/6561-cubanola-more-than-the-spanish-tinge?source=calendar

CubaNola, More Than the Spanish Tinge Cuba and New Orleans are more than musical friends or cousins. They are more like twins and equally responsible for much of what we call Jazz. Arturo O’Farrill together with special guest Donald Harrison explore the common roots of Jazz as seen in the early music of New Orleans and Havana. Arrangements of early charangas, rags, and contemporary works by musicians associated with both cities and countries are performed. A new work entitled “More than a Spanish Tinge” will receive its world premiere. This is an important concert for anyone interested in understanding the true roots of jazz and Latin music.

April 19, 2011: Arturo O'Farrill at Knoxville Jazz Orchestra

May 14, 2011: ALJO at Symphony Space

Música Nueva 4
Part of Symphony Spaces Wall-to-Wall celebration of Spanish music
This is traditionally our best concert of the year, the one that creates the repertoire of the future. Past composers have included Vijay Iyer, Fernando Otero, Gabriel Alegria, Emilio Solla, and many others. This year will mark the world premiere of Arturo
O’Farrill’s New York State Council on the Arts commission “A Small Still Voice” with an 80-voice choir from the LaGuardia School of the Performing Arts. It is a work that explores the central beliefs and tales of all religions. The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra will also perform other works that have been directly commissioned by or for us. Don’t miss this chance to see the future of true jazz that reflects all of the Americas.

We look forward to playing for you!

Afro Latin Jazz Alliance Partners with Famed Greenwich Village Jazz Club Fat Cat to Launch New York City All-Star Youth Big Band

Our latest press release to keep you up to date!

The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) invites New York City’s finest young musicians to sit under the directorship of Arturo O’Farrill, leader of the GRAMMY Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO), and be a part of an elite all-city youth big band hosted by the famed Greenwich Village jazz club Fat Cat, called the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats.

“The best thing about my work is the chance to interact with young musicians, and this opportunity to invite young people to be a part of our work thrills me to no end,” said O’Farrill. In partnership with Fat Cat, the ALJA will provide a unique education and performance opportunity to students throughout the five boroughs in middle and high school to study with O’Farrill, an acclaimed pianist and composer. As an educator, he has taught master classes, seminars, and workshops throughout the world for students and teachers of all levels. O’Farrill has served on the faculties of The University of Massachusetts Amherst and SUNY Purchase. He currently provides instrument and ensemble instruction to students in the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music, currently operating at the Business of Sports School in Manhattan and the Urban Assembly Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists in the South Bronx.

“The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is honored to work with New York City’s most accomplished young musicians in an ensemble that will allow them to showcase their talents and learn from a master artist and educator. We are grateful to Fat Cat for its generosity in hosting this esteemed big band,” remarked Eric Oberstein, Executive Director of the ALJA.

A statement from the Fat Cat staff read, “We at Fat Cat are excited to have our doors open to ALJA and the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats. This is a great opportunity to advance and preserve a great aspect of American culture.”

The Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats will be an audition-based ensemble that will rehearse every Sunday afternoon at Fat Cat through the academic year from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Auditions will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Fat Cat (75 Christopher Street at 7th Avenue). Brass instruments (trumpets, trombones) will audition from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., woodwinds (saxophones) from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, percussion) from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Students will be asked to sight read a piece of music, prepare two works (of both slow and fast tempos), play together with a rhythm section, and improvise.

Students with an interest/experience in composition are especially encouraged to audition. The Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats will have opportunities to perform at Fat Cat and other prominent music venues around New York City on a regular basis.

While there is no set fee required to participate, there is a suggested donation of $10 upon audition. Interested students, parents, and teachers should contact Eric Oberstein at eoberstein@afrolatinjazz.org for more details.

Founded in 2007, the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is dedicated to preserving the music and heritage of big band Latin Jazz, supporting its performance for new audiences, and educating young people in the understanding and performance of this important cultural treasure. The Alliance maintains a world-class collection of Latin jazz musical scores and recordings, provides institutional support for the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and provides education programs for young musicians and new audiences. From 2002 to 2007, the ALJO was a resident orchestra at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where it earned a GRAMMY nomination for its 2005 album, Una Noche Inolvidable. The Orchestra is entering the fourth season of its residency at its new home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Symphony Space. The ALJO continues to tour nationally and internationally to critical acclaim. In 2009, the ALJO won a GRAMMY Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for its release, Song for Chico.

For more information on the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Fat
Cat, visit: http://www.afrolatinjazz.org and http://www.fatcatmusic.org.

Tell your friends!

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Puppets ELM by Richie Beirach

Just a peek at FREE jazz with Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Puppets. Musicians are Bill Ware, vibes; Zack O'Farrill, drums; Jim Seeley, trumpet; Peter Brainin, tenor saxophone and Arturo O'Farrill, piano.

Nola Studios, May 19-20

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra records at Nola Studios in New York City, May 19-20.

Arturo O'Farrill 50th Year Birthday Celebration at Puppets Jazz in Brooklyn, NY

Arturo O'Farrill celebrated his 50th birthday with his friends and family at Puppets Jazz. He played with his sons Zack and Adam O'Farrill who play drums and trumpet, respectively. Other band members sat in. And what does Arturo do on his birthday? He plays music of course.

Llegara, Llegara, Llegara

Performed by Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, written by Emilio Solla, and conducted by Arturo O'Farrill on June 4, 2010.

"Exuberante"

Performed by Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, written by Chico O'Farrill, and conducted by Arturo O'Farrill at Symphony Space on June 4, 2010.

"Mad Hatter"

Performed by Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, written by Vijay Iyer, conducted by Arturo O'Farrill, at Symphony Space on June 4, 2010

"Cloudy with the Chance of Sunshine"

Performed by Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, written by Adam O'Farrill, conducted by Arturo O'Farrill, at Symphony Space on June 4, 2010

Gentleman Barbarian

Performed by Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, written by Bill Ware, and conducted by Arturo O'Farrill, at Symphony Space, June 4, 2010.

Cuarto de Colores

"Cuarto de Colores," written by Edmar Castaneda, performed by Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and conducted by Arturo O'Farrill at Symphony Space on June 4, 2010

The Coca-Cola Generations In Jazz Festival

Dear friends:

Please join us at
The Coca-Cola Generations In Jazz Festival [http://www.jalc.org/dccc/details09.asp?EventID=2419]
The O'Farrill Family Band
w/Arturo O'Farrill, Adam O'Farrill, Zack O'Farrill, Ivan Renta & Shawn Conley

on Monday, September 6th
at 7:30pm & 9:30pm

Cover: $20
Students: $10 w/valid student ID



Go to http://www.opentable.com/dizzys-club-coca-cola-reservations-new-york?rid=3683 to make a reservation.

Featuring: Arturo O'Farrill, piano; Adam O'Farrill, trumpet; Zack O'Farrill, drums; Ivan Renta, tenor saxophone; Shawn Conley, bass

We look forward to seeing you there!

"Iron Jungle" at Symphony Space

"Iron Jungle," written by Papo Vazquez and performed by the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Symphony Space on June 4, 2010.

"A Wise Latina" at Newport Jazz Festival 2010

Arturo O'Farrill's "A Wise Latina," performed by the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Newport Jazz Festival 2010.

"Calidoscopico" Newport Jazz Festival 2010

"Calidoscopico" was written by Chico O'Farrill and performed by the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Newport Jazz Festival 2010 in this video.

"El Sur" at Newport Jazz Festival 2010

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra played Gabriel Alegria's "El Sur" at the Newport Jazz Festival 2010. Here's the video.

"Exuberante" at Newport Jazz Festival 2010

This piece, "Exuberante," was composed by Chico O'Farrill. The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performed the song at Newport Jazz Festival 2010.

"Picadillo" at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performing "Picadillo" by Eddie Palmieri at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010

"A Wise Latina" at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010

The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform Arturo O'Farrill's "A Wise Latina" again at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010.

ALJO "3 Afro Cuban Jazz Moods"

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performs "3 Afro Cuban Jazz Moods" by Chico O'Farrill at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010. This video's in two parts.

"Caravan" Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010

ALJO's performance of Juan Tizol's "Caravan" at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010.

"Song for Chico" at Litchfield 2010

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performing "Song for Chico" by Dafnis Prieto at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010.

"El Sur" at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra performed Gabriel Alegria's "El Sur" at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010. Special guests include Gabriel Alegria, Yuri Juarez, Freddy "Huevito" Lobaton, and John Benitez.

ALJO "A Wise Latina" for Bronx Children's Museum

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra perform "A Wise Latina" for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Dream Big event, sponsored by the Bronx Children's Museum, at Lehman College on Saturday, August 14, 2010. Symphony Space, R.D. Rice, and the Bronx Museum commissioned O'Farrill to write the piece at the time of Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court.

"Para los Rumberos"

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's performance of "Para los Rumberos" for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the Dream Big event, sponsored by the Bronx Children's Museum, at Lehman College on Saturday, August 14, 2010.

ALJA Picadillo for Bronx Children's Museum

"Rumba Urbana" at Newport Jazz Festival 2010

Here's a video of ALJO performing Oscar Hernandez's "Rumba Urbana" once more, but at Newport Jazz Festival 2010.

"Song for Chico" at Newport Jazz Festival 2010

ALJO's performance of "Song for Chico" by Dafnis Prieto at Newport Jazz Festival 2010. Check us out.

"Rumba Urbana" at Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010

We opened our show at the Litchfield Jazz Festival 2010 with "Rumba Urbana," by Oscar Hernandez. Cameras can't quite capture the quality of the sound of our orchestra, but here's a taste of what we sound like.

Wonderful Reviews from Newport and Litchfield

The reviews are in!

From Rick Massimo writing at the Rhode Island News, a wonderful review of Arturo and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Newport Jazz Festival:

Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Orchestra mixed horn-heavy, fast and percussive stompers (“Rumba Urbana”) with sweet, clave-based tunes (“A Wise Latina”), and added a fiery guest appearance from trumpeter Jon Faddis, who was classy and straight-ahead with his own group on the second stage.

And from the Hartford Courant:

The Litchfield Jazz Festival, which has been uniting people of many colors, cultures and creeds for over a century, provided a healing through music for a state rocked by the tragedy of the Manchester shootings last week.

Nowhere was this cross-cultural harmony more pronounced than during Saturday's final performance by Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. The entertaining, energetic bandleader whipped his large ensemble into a euphoric frenzy time after time as he leapt from his piano to bark solo instructions or launch one of the sections into action. The group's diverse members worked magic together, creating a musical whole far greater than the sum of its parts.

Thank you! We had a great time!

Afro Latin Jazz Alliance Appoints Eric Oberstein as Executive Director

Please join us in welcoming Eric!

Arturo O’Farrill, Director of the GRAMMY Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO), announced today the appointment of Eric Oberstein, a distinguished arts administrator, producer, and educator, as Executive Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA), the non-profit O’Farrill created in 2007 to provide institutional support for the ALJO. Oberstein will commence his post as of August 2010.

“It is with extreme pride that we appoint Eric Oberstein as Executive Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance,” said O’Farrill. “Not only has Eric been a supporter of the music of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra for several years, but most important, he is an integral part of the foundation of this organization. I have complete confidence that he will take us far into the future and beyond. I could not possibly be happier.”

Oberstein brings several years of arts administration and education experience to his new position. He has worked at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Duke Performances, the Office for the Arts at Harvard, and the Research Center for Arts and Culture. He has received Master’s degrees in Arts Administration and Arts in Education from Columbia University and Harvard University, respectively. He also earned his undergraduate degree with distinction from Duke University. Oberstein has written a chapter about the Creative Campus and university arts engagement that will appear in the highly anticipated, forthcoming book, 20UNDER40: Re-Inventing the Arts and Arts Education for the 21st Century, a collection of twenty essays about the future of the arts and arts education, each written by an emerging leader under the age of forty.

Originally from Long Island, Oberstein is a musician himself, playing both saxophone and percussion. Born to a Cuban mother and American father, he grew up listening to and playing Latin and jazz music. His background in music led him to work with O’Farrill and the ALJO as a producer in the studio. He is currently serving as Executive Producer on the forthcoming album from the Orchestra, 40 Acres and a Burro. He also served as Assistant Producer on O’Farrill’s 2009 release, Risa Negra, named one of the top jazz albums of 2009 by The Wall Street Journal and The Village Voice.

ALJA board member James Wacht remarked, “Eric is a perfect fit for the Alliance. He shares both the heritage and passion for the music, and he brings extensive administrative experience to his role as Executive Director of our organization.”

“It is a great honor to be named Executive Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance,” Oberstein stated. “This is a tremendous opportunity to manage a fine organization and a world-class performance ensemble. I look forward to working with Arturo and the board of directors to lead this organization into the future, building upon its performance, education, and preservation efforts that are so dear to my heart.”

See us play at the Litchfield Jazz Festival and CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival

We have a great musical summer planned!
Please come see us play at the Litchfield Jazz Festival and CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
Litchfield Jazz Festival, Kent CT
8:45 PM
This is our first appearance at the Litchfield Jazz Festival! Click here for more information.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI
1:00 PM
The CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival presents the best in jazz, with a kick-off evening concert at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino on August 6, followed by two full days of music at Fort Adams State Park on August 7 & 8.
Click here for complete festival line-up.

Come see Arturo O'Farrill

Come see Arturo O'Farrill play at the 2010 Harlem International Jazz Festival: Grant's Tomb, 122nd Street and Riverside Drive, on Wednesday, July 7th 2010, from 7:00 pm - 8:30 p.m.

Hosted by the wonderful Jazzmobile, Inc.

Come see us at Litchfield and Newport!

Remember to come and see us play!

Litchfield Jazz Festival
August 7, 2010
Kent, Connecticut
Saturday, August 7 | 8:45 PM


CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival
August 8, 2010
Newport, Rhode Island

Come See Us In Litchfield

We hope you'll come see us at the Litchfield Jazz Festival! It's from August 6 to August 8, and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra is playing on Saturday, August 7 at 8:45 p.m.

You can buy tickets here. We'd love to see you there!

Musica Nueva 3: Latin Jazz Across the Americas

Please join us tonight and tomorrow! Click here for tickets.

"Musica Nueva 3: Latin Jazz Across the Americas" showcases new works from composers throughout the Americas, including world premieres, part of the ongoing commitment of Symphony Space and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance to new music through the Sonidos de Colores initiative.

Our wonderful guests for Musica Nueva 3 include: Bill Ware, composer and vibraphonist; Edmar Castaneda, composer and harpist; DJ Logic (Fri. only); Michele Rosewoman, pianist and composer; Vijay Iyer, composer; and an assortment of new works written for the ALJO over the years.

Be there when new directions are created!

Second Saturdays at Puppets -- free jazz and a fun community

Dear friends -- please join us at our new community event: the Second Saturdays series! We will be performing at the wonderful Puppets Jazz Bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn from noon to 3:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month.

For June, that's the 12th; then July 10th and August 14th.

Come hang out, listen to some free jazz, visit with friends, and learn more about ALJO and how you can be a supporter of our educational mission.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We're performing at Symphony Space June 4 & 5

The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra goes Carioca features guest Music Director Cliff Korman, and friends. The evening will be a celebration of the Samba, the Bossa Nova, and other Afro Brazilian rhythms. We will explore the genius of Hermeto Pascoal and feature special guests Vanderlei Pereira and Paul Leiberman, and many others.

Please click here for more info and to buy tickets.

We hope to see you there!

We're performing at the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza

Please join us in Brooklyn as our Grammy-winning 18 piece orchestra performs classics of the Afro-Latin tradition. Join us for an afternoon of salsa, merengue, songo, son, mambo, bolero, charanga, and cha cha cha!

We'll be playing on Saturday, June 12, at the beautiful Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza, the Central Library, at 2:30 p.m.
In case of rain, this performance will be moved to the Dweck Center.

Click here for more information.

Arturo and Afro Latin Jazz: Saturday, August 7th at the Litchfield Jazz Festival

Arturo and the Afro Latin Jazz are headlining Saturday night, August 7th at the Litchfield Jazz Festival. Click here for more information. Please come see us!

We will play at the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival!

Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra are playing at the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival!
From August 6 – 8, 2010 in Newport, RI.

See complete festival line-up at www.newportjazzfest.net.

Remember -- as an Arturo O’Farrill fan, you get a special artist fan “early-buy” discount of $10 off general admission tickets!
Use promo code ARTIST if you purchase your tickets on-line by Friday, April 9, 2010.
To purchase discounted artist fan tickets:
• Click here [http://www.ticketmaster.com/Newport-Jazz-Festival-tickets/artist/874080]
• Choose the event date/package
• Choose general admission seating
• Enter promo code ARTIST when prompted

This offer does not apply to Reserved Seating Tickets, or for the August 6th evening concert at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival presents the best in jazz, with a kick off evening concert at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino on August 6, followed by two full days of music at Fort Adams State Park on August 7 & 8.

For complete festival information, visit www.newportjazzfest.net.
We look forward to seeing you there!

JazzInside on Sonny Rollins

Very nice article from Eric Nemeyer in JazzInside on the saxophone colossus.

JI: My grandfather used to tell me, “The young man thinks the old man is a fool. And the old man knows that the young man is a fool.”

Fun and well worth reading!

TimeOut New York mentions this weekend's event

Nice mention of this weekend's event in the always excellent TimeOut New York.

Guest music director Cliff Korman leads the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in an evening of samba, bossa nova and more Afro-Brazilian rhythms, via the music of Hermeto Pascoal and others: this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Remember: Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra to play at the Brazil Big Band Festival

Come see us play this Friday and Saturday at the Brazil Big Band Festival! Buy tix here.

This Friday, Feb 26 at 8 p.m.
and
Saturday, Feb 27 at 8 p.m.
at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre:
2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025
Telephone: 212 864 5400

We look forward to seeing you there!

Jazziz on Arturo

Click here to read a digital copy of the new Jazziz with a nice feature on Arturo on page 32. Thank you to Jazziz!

Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra to play at the Brazil Big Band Festival

Fri, Feb 26 at 8 p.m.
and
Sat, Feb 27 at 8 p.m.
at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre:
2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025
Telephone: 212 864 5400

The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra goes Carioca! Featuring guest Music Director Cliff Korman and friends -- the evening will be a celebration of the Samba, the Bossa Nova, and other Afro Brazilian rhythms. We will explore the genius of Hermeto Pascoal and feature special guests Vanderlei Pereira and Paul Leiberman and more!

Click here to buy tickets.

We hope to see you there!