Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the 2011 Grammy-winning Latin jazz ensemble, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at Ventura High School Auditorium, 2 N. Catalina St., Ventura.
Directed and founded by pianist, arranger and producer Oscar Hernández, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, now in its tenth year, combines Latin music traditions with original compositions for an effervescent, contemporary sound, the Ventura Music Festival reported in a media release.
“This group is one of the hottest salsa orchestras on the Latin jazz scene today. Their music is bold and sassy, masterfully arranged by Hernández. There’s nothing formulaic about it, yet it’s true to classic salsa rhythms. The effect is infectious and irresistibly danceable — really not to be missed for salsa lovers,” said Nuvi Mehta, Ventura Music Festival’s artistic director.
Well established on the East Coast, the ensemble consists of two trumpets, two trombones, a sax/flute, piano, congas, bongos, timbales, claves, cowbell, guiro and a lively vocal trio. The complex, multi-layered arrangements of Oscar Hernández feature authentic Latin rhythms and the driving energy of powerful horn lines. Hernández, one of the most respected musicians in Latin music, was born in the Bronx and musically inspired by the nearby Spanish Harlem neighborhood with its mix of Latin jazz and American pop. He toured with some of the most talented Latin jazz artists of the ’70s, and spent the ’80s arranging and playing keyboards for Panamanian Latin vocal recording star Rubén Blades.
The double-Grammy winning group took the 2011 Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album with “Viva la Tradición,” released in 2010. Preceding this was a 2005 Grammy win for Best Salsa Album with “Across 110th Street” and a 2003 Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album with “Un Gran Dia en el Barrio.”
Ventura Music Festival’s Latin Jazz Concert is staged annually each Valentine’s Day weekend and has previously hosted such top Latin stars as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera and Pancho Sanchez.
What: Ventura Music Festival presents Spanish Harlem Orchestra
When: At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
Where: Ventura High Auditorium, 2 N. Catalina St., Ventura, CA
Cost: $50 – $40 – $30, youth $15
Tickets: www.venturamusicfestival.org or 805-648-3146
Following the Latin Jazz February kick-off concert, Ventura Music Festival’s 18th Concert Season, May 3rd to May 12th, features an exciting lineup of world-stage talent, including:
- Emerson String Quartet, winner of nine Grammy awards and the coveted Avery Fisher Prize, widely acclaimed as the foremost chamber ensemble in the world
- Alexander Schimpf, German-born winner of the 2011 Cleveland Piano Competition and master interpreter of Bach
- Three-time Grammy-nominated Latin jazz sensation “Tiempo Libre” whose musicians developed their mix of Latin jazz color and danceable Afro-Cuban rhythms, often combined with classical forms, growing up in Havana listening to forbidden American music
- Jazz/classical saxophonist and powerful performer, Federico Mondelci from Italy
- Charismatic classical guitar virtuoso Pablo Sáinz Villegas from Spain
- International opera phenom and native Venturan, Nicole Cabell
About the Ventura Music Festival
Founded in 1994, the Ventura Music Festival presents world-renowned classical, jazz and crossover musicians in historic and intimate venues throughout the Ventura area. The festival stands as one of Ventura County’s signature arts events, attracting upwards of 6,000 concertgoers. Taking place over ten days in May, the Festival also presents individual concerts throughout the year.
Each year, the Ventura Music Festival’s Education Outreach Program presents live performances, stories and interaction to nearly 4,000 local students through “Music in the Schools” presented by Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta.
The Ventura Music Festival is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Call 805.648.3146 or visit www.venturamusicfestival.org for more information.