Caribbean Jazz Project to Headline the LA Latin Jazz Festival at The Greek Theatre
On May 16th, Dave Samuels and Paquito D’Rivera, founding members of the critically-acclaimed Caribbean Jazz Project, will reunite for one historic night to headline the 2009 LA Latin Jazz Festival. With 5 Grammy nominations and 2 wins over the last 6 years, the festival is excited to invite these giants of the jazz to LA’s most beautiful outdoor venue, The Greek Theatre.
- Dave Samuels of the Caribbean Jazz Project
Held each year on the 3rd weekend of May, the festival brings together Grammy-recognized artists “who have played a significant role in the development and popularization of Latin Jazz”. This year’s star-studded line-up will also include Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars, Kenny Burrell & Hubert Laws, Charlie Sepulveda & the Turnaround, Giovanni Hidalgo and special CJP guest, steel pannist Liam Teague.
Whether tackling firey rumbas and sambas, tender ballads, or his original avant-garde classical compositions, Samuels’ inventive, often witty improvisations have established him as the top mallet player of his generation. His distinctive style and demonstrated versatility have gained him worldwide recognition through performances and recordings with a broad scope of artists ranging from Gerry Mulligan, Oscar Petersen, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Carla Bley and Pat Metheny to the Yellowjackets, Bruce Hornsby, Frank Zappa, The Fantasy Band and Spyro Gyra. During his two-decade, 20-record span with the latter, the 5-time Grammy nominated group was named #1 Contemporary Jazz Artist and Contemporary Jazz Group of the ’80s by Billboard Magazine. As a solo player, Samuels has also been awarded honors as “Best Vibes Player” by both Jazziz and Modern Drummer Magazines.
Samuels’ most recent venture, the Caribbean Jazz Project, was founded in 1993 with 9-time Grammy Award winner, Paquito D’Rivera. A virtuoso saxophonist/clarinetist, classical composer and recognized child prodigy, D’Rivera is also a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Music Moderna and the former co-director of groundbreaking Cuban outfit, Irakere with Chu Chu Valdez and Arturo Sandoval. Together, Samuels and Rivera propelled CJP to critical acclaim with three consecutive Grammy nominations (an unprecedented feat), including a win for 2003’s “The Gathering”. In 2008, after D’Rivera’s departure, Samuels teamed up with Maryland’s Afro Bop Alliance. The resulting record has garnered universal acclaim and, in 2009, earned CJP its fifth Grammy nomination and second win.
Following Saturday’s show, Samuels will be bringing CJP’s current line-up, including Alain Mallet (piano), Lincoln Goines (bass), Vince Cherico (drums) and Roberto Quintero (percussion), up to San Francisco to play two exclusive shows at the city’s famous Yoshi’s Jazz Club on May 17th.
Who:
Saturday: Caribbean Jazz Project Reunion featuring Dave Samuels & Paquito D’Rivera
When:
Saturday, May 16th, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Where:
The Greek Theatre
2700 North Vermont (in Griffith Park)
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tickets:
$80/$70/$55
For Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/
Tags: Caribbean Jazz Project, Dave Samuels, Grammy, Latin Grammy, Los Angeles Latin Jazz Festival, The Greek Theatre
