The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance

Presents

Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

In

JAZZ ACROSS THE AMERICAS: VENEZUELA

October 1, 2015 @ 8pm

Symphony Space

**Pre-performance discussion on Thursday, October 1 @ 7pm.**

“The idea that jazz is an American invention is no longer viable. Pan American and Afro Latino roots are inextricably woven throughout this music that we love and we need no one to interpret it for us. All one needs is an open ear, a willingness to fearlessly leap into the infinite and become part of the pueblo that this conversation truly resides in.” –Arturo O’Farrill

GRAMMY award winners Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra open their performance season at Symphony Space with the newest installment of their Jazz Across the Americas series, this time shifting focus to Venezuela. As always, an incredible roster of instrumentalists and composers will join the 18-piece powerhouse to bring light to a different patch in the woven quilt of jazz. The orchestra will present the world premiere of “Venezuela Unida” by Edward Simon, a Guggenheim Fellow, which was commissioned by the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance specifically for this concert.  Excerpts of Simon’s “Venezuelan Suite” and two works of the acclaimed pianist Luis Perdomo will also be performed with full orchestration for the first time. Roberto Quintero (percussion) and Bam Bam Rodriguez (bass) and round out the roster of special guests as a true exploration of jazz through the lens of Venezuela takes full form.

Visit www.symphonyspace.org for more info!