HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2016 was a very exciting and crazy year! Back Home came out and it was very well-received by jazz fans and critics. The album received very good radio airplay throughout the US and internationally (DR, Peru, Colombia, Australia, UK).  

The piece "Vantage Point" appeared on Jazziz magazine's (winter edition). 

SGLJO at JEN 2016 (Photo: Chang Su)

The album won a Gold Medal at the Global Music Awards and it was named on the top 6 at the "Best of 2016" - Category Latin/Brazilian Jazz by Ken Franckling.

UNC Gala 2016 (photo: Woody Myers)

I was lucky to share by doing several clinics and concerts with the Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra (SGLJO) in the US and the Dominican Republic, including two concerts at the JEN Conference in Louisville, KY, the performance of one piece at the UNC Gala, guest conductor at the Santo Domingo Jazz Festival (Casa de Teatro) with the National Conservatory of Music's Big Band. I also had the honor of recording a one-hour performance/TV special for CERTV (State Corporation of Radio and TV) with the band.

With Hernan Lopez-Nussa, Javier Vargas, and Brad Goode

Casa de Teatro (Photo: Pedro Bonilla)

The SGLJO performed at the International Restauración Jazz Festival at the historic Fortaleza Ozama in Dominican Republic. It was great performing an entire show there and having so many great musicians sharing their talent, including the incredible Brad Goode, Ryan Middagh, Ramon Vasquez, and the faculty and students from the Conservatory. Thanks to each one of you. You guys made it a memorable concert for me. Special thanks to professor Javier Vargas for all his help to make this possible and producer Ivan Fernandez for taking us there.

In action

With Brad Goode and Ryan Middagh at the Conservatory

Quisqueya la Bella, celebrating Dominican music, Manhattan School of Music

My music was performed by two formidable ensembles: Manhattan School of Music's Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra (conducted by Latin Jazz great Bobby Sanabria) and the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music's Concert Jazz Orchestra, USC Long Beach (conducted by the great Jeff Jarvis).




Now getting ready for the JEN Conference in New Orleans (in two days), super exciting!

Here's a video summary of 2016. I hope you enjoy it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJOXs7pd1H4

I wish you the best in 2017!

Love and Peace,
SG