Monday, September 5, 2016

Summer 2016 & Other Things:

It's been a great year so far. Back Home came out on March, 4th and it's been doing really well. Thanks a lot for your support.

On April the music from Back Home was performed by the Manhattan School of Music's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Bobby Sanabria. The concert honored the music from DR and, specifically, honoring Tavito, Mario Rivera and Juan Colon. It was great hanging out with Bobby and the orchestra in NY.

Later in the month, Jeff Jarvis and USC's (Long Beach) Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Concert Jazz Orchestra performed a concert of my music.

Thanks Bobby and Jeff!

Over the summer my family and I went back home to the Dominican Republic. It was a family vacation trip but I had the chance to work, once again, with the National Conservatory of Music's Big Band, which is always a blast!!!
On this occasion I conducted a few of my pieces at the Santo Domingo Jazz Festival in Casa de Teatro. Great audience and a very fun show!



SG, Fernando Rodriguez & Javier Vargas en el soundcheck

I was honored with an invitation to perform my music with the band for a second time, on a pre-recorded show for CERTV, which is going to be on the air soon. It is a one-hour show with interviews and concert. Pretty fun!

Interviews/Talks: I was also interviewed for the TV show Cita Cultural with Yanela Hernadez Cedeño and Guillermo Ricart. Very cool interview that was organized by an old friend and producer of the show, Laura Guzman.
I also did an interview/talk about Back Home for the the radio show Musica Maestro with Alexis Mendez. Thanks Alexis for your huge support.

On August 15th, I was back in the country to perform with the Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra on the Restauracion Jazz Festival, organized by Skip Productions and Ivan Fernandez. I was accompanied by a combination of professional musicians such as bassist Ramon Vasquez, Felix Garcia (el Abuelo), Rafaelito Diaz, Junior Sanchez, Francis, and students from the conservatory. This time around we also had Brad Goode and Ryan Middagh, members of the SGLJO in the US. It was great to have these guys in my country for a few days. 

Brad also performed with his quartet (Dominican version) and with the great Cuban pianist Ernan Lopez-Nussa. The venue couldn't have been better, the first fortress in America, La Fortaleza Ozama (1502). Thanks to Ivan and his team,  and also to Javielo for making it possible.

It's an honor and a privilege to share the stage with so many great musicians. It is also a humbling experience every time.

In action at the Restauracion International Jazz Festival

A view from the side
Ryan Middagh

Brad Goode w/Samuel Atizol (p), Ramon Vasquez (b) and Otoniel Nicolas (d)



SG, Brad, Ryan on at the airport in DR on our way back

 I also had the chance to visit with family and friends including a short visit to Juan Luis Guerra's home, which made my daughter very happy as he is one of her idols. 

Garcias and JLG

In all, it's been a crazy year (hasn't stopped yet). Back Home is getting spins internationally in Australia, Colombia, Peru, US, and DR. I'm pretty happy with the reception the album has received, which makes me want to work harder on the next one. 

Thanks to each one of the people that has helped me this year so far. Too many to mention but you know who you are.

For now, Blessings to all and see you soon!

S







Sunday, January 31, 2016

SOCRATES GARCIA LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA 
EN LA CONFERENCIA DEL JEN 2016!

La experiencia en el JEN en Louisville, KY fue increíble! La SGLJO tocó dos veces, el concierto principal, el Jueves, y el concierto del Young Composers Showcase, el Sábado.

La recepción del público fué incredible. Y todos en la banda tocaron incredible también. Mis mayores elogios para la banda! Helen de la Rosa, Pablito Drums y Daniel Berroa le dieron el sello Dominicano, al nivel más alto!

Fue grandioso compartir tan prestigioso escenario con mis colegas y estudiantes de UNC (Dana, Erik Steve, Kenyon, Briana, Adam, Mike, Frank); profesores anteriores (Jamey y Don); y grandes amigos (todos los mencionados y Ryan, Paul, Brian, Clay, Steve Hawk, Ruben y Brad). Todos ustedes son una fuente constante de inspiración. Gracias por estar ahí y ser parte de esta parte de mi viaje.

El segundo concierto: fuímos invitado a tocar las composiciones ganadoras de la competencia de composición del JEN, Young Composers Showcase. Cuatro grandes composiciones por Mike Conrad (primer trombón de SGLJO), Nacho Gonzalez, Matt Shugert y Andrew Herring. También tocamos una de mis composiciones, Vantage Point. Para este concierto tuvimos algunos músicos sustitutos incluyendo al gran Tom "Bones" Malone y Jeff Jarvis.

Como parte del program de mentores del JEN, también tuve la oportunidad de ser mentor de uno de los compositores del concurso, Nacho. Los otros mentores fueron John Clayton, Alan Baylock y Greg Yasinitsky. Gracias David Fodor por invitarnos. Fué un honor el ser parte de este concierto/programa.

Para ponerle la tapa al pomo, también ofrecí una clínica, Jazz Latino con un tinte dominicano, en la cual presenté elementos de diferentes estilos de mi país y como yo los integré en mi escritura para orquesta de jazz. Fue una gran oportunidad para mí el poder compartir mis raíces y mi música con los presentes.

Acabo de llegar de Colorado Springs, donde presenté dos clínicas. La primera fue Producción Musical y el iPad, y la segunda la presenté junto a mi hermosa y talentosa esposa, Producción Musical y el iPad para alumnos de primaria (5to grado). Fue increíble compartir con ella en este ambiente por primera vez. Como decimos los dominicanos, "se la comió"!!!! Voy a Texas en par de semanas para otro set de clinicas. Más detalles después.

Muchas cosas que compartir!!

Bendiciones a todos,

S
En acción!
Gracias!

Compartiendo una "corta" cena: Pablito, SG, José y Nomar Negroni,
Nacho González, Federico Britos

SGLJO después del concierto

Dominicanos en el JEN!

Rodeado de Heavy Metal: Mike Conrad, SG, Tom "Bones" Malone, Jeff Jarvis y Steve Hawk

SG, Tom "Bones" Malone, Rubén Álvarez, Jeff Jarvis y Steve Hawk

Bobby Sanabria, Gene Perla, SG




Friday, January 29, 2016


SOCRATES GARCIA LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA 

AT JEN CONFERENCE 2016!


We had a blast at the JEN Conference in Louisville, KY!
 The SGLJO performed twice, the main concert on Thursday and the Young Composers Showcase concert on Saturday.
The audience's reception of the music and the of band was incredible. Everybody played amazingly!
Kudos to each member of the ensemble. Helen de la Rosa, Pablito Drums, and Daniel Berroa gave the music the Dominican seal, at the highest level! It was great sharing that prestigious stage with UNC colleagues and students (Dana, Erik Steve, Kenyon, Briana, Adam, Mike, Frank); former professors (Jamey and Don); and great friends (all of the above mentioned plus Ryan, Paul, Brian, Clay, Steve Hawk, Ruben, and Brad). All of you guys are a constant flow of inspiration! Thanks for being there and for being a part of this part of my journey!


The second concert: we were invited to perform the winning compositions of the JEN's composition competition, the Young Composers Showcase. Four great compositions by our very own (SGLJO's lead trombone) Mike Conrad, Nacho Gonzalez, Matt Shugert, and Andrew Herring. We also played one of my compositions, Vantage Point. For this concert we had a few subs including the great Tom "Bones" Malone and Jeff Jarvis.

I also had the opportunity to mentor one of the composers, Nacho, as part of the JEN Mentoring Program. The other mentors were John Clayton, Alan Baylock, and Greg Yasinitsky. Thanks David Fodor for inviting us. It was an honor to be a part of this concert/ program.

The icing on the cake was that I also gave a clinic, Latin Jazz with a Dominican Tinge, on Dominican musics and how I incorporate Dominican elements in my jazz orchestra writing. It was a great opportunity for me to share part of my Dominican heritage and my music with the attendees. 

I'm now in Colorado Springs, where I just gave a clinic, Music Production and the iPad, and will be doing another one on Saturday, joining my beautiful and talented wife, Music Production and the iPad for the Upper Elementary Classroom. Super excited!!!! Then going to Texas for another set of clinics. More on these later.

A lot of great news to share and more coming!

Blessings to all,


S


In action!
Thanks!


Enjoying a "short" dinner with Pablito, Jose and Nomar Negroni, Nacho, and Federico Britos

The SGLJO after the concert




Mission accomplished! Daniel, Helen SG, Pablito

After the YCS concert. SG surrounded by Heavy Metal (a.k.a. brass)-
Mike Conrad, Tom Malone, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Hawk

Bobby Sanabria, Gene Perla, and SG



Monday, January 4, 2016

JEN 2016, Louisville, KY


Feliz Año Nuevo a todos!!

Montón de cosas en las siguientes semanas, pero sólo voy a mencionar la Conferencia del JEN 2016 que será en esta semana en Louisville, KY.

La Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra ha sido invitada a dar dos conciertos:

Jueves - SGLJO tocará la música de el disco, Back Home.

Al margen: el album sale en Marzo, pero va a estar disponible como per-lanzamiento en el JEN!

Volviendo al JEN...

El Jueves en la tarde: voy a impartir una clínica titulada "Latin Jazz con un tinte dominicano". Esto me va a dar la oportunidad de presentar varios géneros dominicanos (merengue, bachata, palos) y como yo los fusiono con la orquesta de jazz.

Sábado - SGLJO tocará la música de los ganadores del concurso de composición del JEN, el Young Composers Showcase. Es un verdadero honor estar invitado a hacer esto! Estoy muy emocionado por la oportunidad de dirigir esta música.

Es un grupo increible el que va para JEN!
La banda incluye varios de los músicos que yo más admiro en el mundo. Es una lección de humildad tener a músicos de este calibre queriendo compartir su arte para tocar mi música. Va a ser increible!


Aquí está el personal

Saxes: 
Alto 1 - Briana Harris (University of Northern Colorado)
Alto 2 - Adam Blakey (University of Northern Colorado)
Tenor 1 - Don Aliquo (Middle Tennessee State University)
Tenor 2 - Kenyon Brenner (University of Northern Colorado)
Baritone-Ryan Middagh (Vanderbilt University)

Trumpets:
Stephen Hawk (Texas State University)
Brad Goode (University of Colorado Boulder)
Jamey Simmons (Middle Tennessee State University)
Clay Jenkins (Eastman School of Music)

Trombones:
Michael Conrad (University of Northern Colorado)
Paul McKee (University of Colorado Boulder)
Frank Cook (University of Northern Colorado)
Brian Entwistle (Vanderbilt University)

Rhythm Section: 
Dana Landry - Piano (University of Northern Colorado)
Erik Applegate - Bass (University of Northern Colorado)
Steve Kovalcheck - Guitar (University of Northern Colorado)
Helen de la Rosa - Drums

Percussion:
Ruben Alvarez – Congas (Latin Percussion –LP)
Pablito Peña - Tambora
Daniel Berroa - Güira/Bongo



Mis más sinceras "Gracias" a cada una de las personas envueltas en hacer esto posible.

Mas información mientras se desarrolla.

Paz,
S

JEN 2016, Louisville, KY


Happy New year Everyone!!

A lot of things happening in the next few weeks, but I'll begin with only one of them, the JEN Conference to be held this week in Louisville, KY.

The Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra has been invited to perform twice:

Thursday - SGLJO will perform the music from my upcoming album, Back Home. We have an amazing ensemble for JEN.

Sidenote: the album is going to be available as a pre-release purchase at JEN! The worlwide release date is set for March.

Back to JEN...

Also on Thursday: I'll present a clinic entitled "Latin Jazz with a Dominican Tinge," where I will talk about three Dominican genres (merengue, bachata, and palos) and how I used them in my jazz orchestra writing.

Saturday - SGLJO will perform the music of the winners of the Young Composers Showcase. It is truly an honor to be invited to do this! I am super excited about the opportunity to conduct this music.

The band includes some of the players I admire the most in the world. It is humbling to have a group of players of this caliber willing to share their art to perform my music. It's going to be a blast!

Here's the roster

Saxes:
Alto 1 - Briana Harris (University of Northern Colorado)
Alto 2 - Adam Blakey (University of Northern Colorado)
Tenor 1 - Don Aliquo (Middle Tennessee State University)
Tenor 2 - Kenyon Brenner (University of Northern Colorado)
Baritone-Ryan Middagh (Vanderbilt University)

Trumpets:
Stephen Hawk (Texas State University)
Brad Goode (University of Colorado Boulder)
Jamey Simmons (Middle Tennessee State University)
Clay Jenkins (Eastman School of Music)

Trombones:
Michael Conrad (University of Northern Colorado)
Paul McKee (University of Colorado Boulder)
Frank Cook (University of Northern Colorado)
Brian Entwistle (Vanderbilt University)

Rhythm Section:
Dana Landry - Piano (University of Northern Colorado)
Erik Applegate - Bass (University of Northern Colorado)
Steve Kovalcheck - Guitar (University of Northern Colorado)
Helen de la Rosa - Drums

Percussion:
Ruben Alvarez – Congas (Latin Percussion –LP)
Pablito Peña - Tambora
Daniel Berroa - Güira/Bongo


My most sincere "Thank you" to each one of the people involved in making this possible.

More info as it develops. 

Peace,
S


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