KCC Productions presents the FIU Big Band featuring guest vocalist Wendy Pedersen

KCC Productions presents the FIU Big Band featuring guest vocalist Wendy Pedersen

Opening the 2014-15 season of the South Motors Jazz Series, Pinecrest Gardens, October 18 at 8 PM

The FIU Big Band, directed by James Hacker, is the most visible artistic group at FIU. With over 25 major performances yearly it has become internationally recognized as one of the premier college jazz ensembles in the world. Invitations to the International Association for Jazz Education Convention, the Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic, the Wigan Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Quito Jazz Festival, and the Maceo Jazz Festival have taken this world-class group of graduate & undergraduate students beyond the realm of the ‘typical’ college band. "This big band sports an explosive sound and fluid mode of attack. They abide by a get up and go style of musicality via brisk charts and precision-oriented interplay. In effect, the album title offers a vivid depiction of the band’s multihued gait, where they tear it up and also temper the various pulses in spots." (Glenn Astarita)

Wendy Pedersen is one of South Florida’s favorite performers. Her high-energy vocal delivery, with deep, convincing emotion has been impacting audiences for many years. Wendy has won many awards including the Southern Bell/Pace “Jazz Artist of the Year”  and a Miami New Times “best vocalist”, saying, “Wendy can shake the rafters or break your heart...” "When she sings, her voice, an elegant melismatic instrument, evokes the standard emotions, yes, but deeper longings and muted desires.”
(Leonard Pitts, Miami Herald)

Pinecrest Gardens is located at 11000 SW 57th Ave (Red Rd.) Tickets are $25-$30 at pinecrestgardens.org or 305-669-6990.

GRAMMY-WINNER MARLOW ROSADO Y LA RIQUEÑA TO RELEASE THEIR NEWEST SALSA DURO ALBUM, “SALSANIMAL,” JULY 29

The best music is that which reaches beyond its original genre. It can move people deeply, even when the composer and listener are separated by oceans. Such a work is the latest release by Marlow Rosado, “Salsanimal.” 

With over two decades' experience in the music industry, Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and producer Marlow Rosado has developed a powerful portfolio working with many of the top artists in the Latin recording industry. From salsa to rock, from merengue to hip-hop, from bachata to reggaeton, producer, composer, and pianist Marlow Rosado has had his musical hand in all of it. He is continually sought out by Latin Artists for his musical arrangement skills, his aggressive montunos on the piano, as well as his ability to direct orchestras for artists such as the late Salsa legend Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Jr., Tito Nieves, and many others. It is not uncommon to see Marlow’s name on CD liner notes, whether it is as a pianist, producer, songwriter or musical director.

After his extremely successful second album, "Retro," which won a Grammy for best tropical album of 2013, Rosado is set to release album number three, "Salsanimal,” which he produced, wrote, and arranged. It's power-packed with 12 original hard-driving salsa arrangements featuring nine invited artists, each interpreting a song tailor-made for him.

Legendary salsa pianists Larry Harlow and Richie Ray join Marlow in a friendly piano solo battle among the three virtuoso salsa pianists. Harlow, founder of Latin Legends of Fania, holds a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. And Ray, “El Embajador del Piano,” best known for the duo Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz (“the kings of salsa”), is still considered one of the best and more influential pianists of all times in salsa music. The veteran salsa singer Herman Olivera interprets Rosado's “Cataño”, a song written as a love letter to Marlow's home town in Puerto Rico. This dynamic sonero  is currently the lead singer of the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra, where he is featured on five CD's with the nine-time Grammy-winner  and master pianist, including "Masterpiece/Obra Maestra" with the late, great Tito Puente, which garnered two Grammys.  Mayito Rivera, lead singer for Cuba's legendary group "Los Van Van" for over twenty years, and one of Cuba’s most notable singers, takes on "Así Son" another composition by Rosado. 

Other artists on the CD are Jon Secada, Domingo Quiñones, Alex Matos, Checo Acosta, and newcomer De La Torre.   The world-renowned Secada has won two Grammys and sold some 20 million albums.  Singer/actor Domingo Quiñones performed on Tito Puente's 100th album, and demonstrated his acting abilities in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. Alex Matos, known as “el salsero de ahora,” is a winner of the Casandra Award of the Dominican Republic for his singing.   Checo Acosta holds two Latin Grammy nominations; he is one of the leading exponents of Colombian carnival music, specifically folk styles native to the country's Caribbean coast such as cumbia and vallenato.

Salsanimal will be released on CD, digitally and as an LP. The attention to detail is impressive. Everything: the mix, the mastering, and the artwork, is just exquisite and refreshing. Signed to Fania Records and with one Grammy already on his shelf, Marlow Rosado is most definitely a driving force of the tropical music industry who can look forward to still greater recognition. 

CONTACT:

Kimberly Chmura

KCC Productions

kcc_productions@yahoo.com

305-332-2623

DRUM LEGEND WILL CALHOUN TAKES HIS RHYTHM TO THE CANVAS WITH NEW ART RELEASE

Over the last three-decades, drummer Will Calhoun's creativity has stretched genres, mediums and continents.  From his Grammy award winning work with Living Colour, to his solo work, some of the most touted drummer-led jazz recordings of the decade, Calhoun is one of music’s most versatile figures. Now with his latest release “AZA,” available at www.willcalhounart.com, Calhoun is going from drum kit to canvas through the groundbreaking new medium of “rhythm-on-canvas.”

Through the visuals with “AZA,” Will's signature style and rhythms are translated by a sophisticated process involving the manipulation of light, time, and geographic space.  Like a painter using brushes with different colors, Calhoun utilized a wide variety of drumsticks of different colors to build the visual artwork featured within “AZA.”  In total, eleven different works are featured within the “AZA” release. Each piece is then limited in edition size and availability. All in the collection are numbered and individually signed by Will Calhoun.

To create the collection, Calhoun worked exclusively with Los Angeles art team SceneFour (www.scenefour.com) over the last year. His involvement with SceneFour is years in the making, as SceneFour notes Calhoun’s influence on the medium as a whole. “Will Calhoun is one of the greatest drummers of his generation, and he’s also one of the key figures in the birth of the rhythm-on-canvas medium,” SceneFour Partner Cory Danziger states. “As a player, Will embraced the use of light sticks during his live shows many years ago, his dedication to bringing forward a visual aspect to rhythm cannot be questioned. We’re very grateful to have the opportunity to work with him on the “AZA” art collection.”

For more information and to see the entire “AZA” art collection, please visit www.willcalhounart.com. For public relations inquiries and bookings, please contact Kimberly Chmura at KCC Productions at kcc_productions@yahoo.com.

KCC Productions presents the Antonio Madruga Trio at Zinc Bar Dec 17

KCC Productions presents the Antonio Madruga Trio, featuring Russell Hall and Lawrence Leathers, with special guests to be announced. At Zinc Bar, 82 West Third Street, Greenwich Village, December 17, 8-11 PM. For info on the show, call 212-477-ZINC. For info on Antonio Madruga, call KCC at 305-332-2623.

At just 20 years old, Antonio Madruga dominates the piano like he has been playing in dusty honky-tonks for decades. A true jazz piano prodigy, he has been featured in Wynton Marsalis' YoungArts Master Class (HBO), and Marsalis chose him as one of the “Who’s Got Next” new generation of upcoming jazz artists. In 2009, at the age of 16, he shared the stage with Paquito D’Rivera and Wynton Marsalis at the White House performing for the Obamas. Bassist Russell Hall performed professionally with several of South Florida's esteemed musicians while still in high school and was recently named by Wynton Marsalis as one of the future jazz greats. He is currently on a full scholarship at Juilliard. Drummer Lawrence Leathers has performed with many top jazz artists on the scene today, including Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, Rodney Whitaker, Eric Reed, Vanessa Rubin, Donald Harrison, Derrick Gardner, and an extensive stint with the great trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, the Lansing Jazz Festival, Vail Jazz Party, and the Detroit Ford International Jazz Festival. 

 

Pinecrest Gardens hosts the Second Annual Masquerade Ball

Pinecrest Gardens hosts the Second Annual Masquerade Ball

Don't miss this extraordinary evening of glitter, glamour and entertainment!

Pinecrest Gardens celebrates the return of the Masquerade Ball - this year, celebrating the passion of Brazil's Carnival!  Experience a breath-taking ambience and a magical backdrop for an evening filled with delicious food, excitement and too many surprises to describe. Indulge in Cocktails by Bacardi and fine wines, feast on a buffet of gourmet entrees and dessert, and dance the night away to the music of the "Continental Brass Band."  Additional music by the Carlos Alabaci Trio and the Thania Sanz Ensemble featuring Kiki Sanchez provided by KCC Productions. Be a part of a captivating event you will not soon forget. Proceeds from this charitable event provide support for Historical Pinecrest Gardens.

Date:         Saturday, November 23, 2013
Time:         7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Tickets:      $75 per person, in advance (all inclusive)
                  $100 at the door (all inclusive)
Attire:         Resort Formal and your favorite mask 

Purchase tickets for this exciting event online or by calling 1.877.496.8499.  If you would like more information, please contact us at 305.669.6990.

KCC Productions presents The Lindsey Blair Quartet at The Stage Miami

Thursday, October 24, 9:30 to midnight

With Clay Ostwald, Nicky Orta, and Rodolfo Zúñiga

Miami New Times Magazine selected Lindsey Blair as “Miami's Best Jazz Musician (2011.)” As an official guitarist for “Sábado Gigante” with Don Francisco, Lindsey Blair has played alongside Puerto Rican reggaetonero Daddy Yankee. It was Wes Montgomery who got him started on the guitar, and jazz is where his heart is. The Indiana native studied the form at the University of Miami for his bachelor's and master's degrees, and he has toured with Maynard Ferguson and played with Dizzy Gillespie. He also has collaborated for years with Gloria and Emilio Estefan and scored a gig onstage with Miami Sound Machine for Super Bowl XLI. But it is his current stint with local supergroup 7Crossing where his powerful, blazing Latin jazz truly shines.

You might think that artists as diverse as Latin pop superstar Gloria Estefan, Country artist Lee Ann Womac, hip-hop legends 2 Live Crew, R&B singer/songwriter Bobby Caldwell, jazz trumpet virtuoso Maynard Ferguson, rock drummer Gregg Bissonette, broadway composer/ singer Anthony Newley, the Florida Philharmonic, and television master of ceremonies Don Francisco have little common musical ground, but south Florida guitarist Lindsey Blair has been able to lend musical support to each of these artists with his versatile guitar work.

Lindsey is the kind of player that is comfortable in almost any musical situation. Whether the gig calls for him to sit in with an established band for a four-hour gig with players he has never met and play a night of unrehearsed music of whatever musical repertoire du jour is being served up, to blending with a 30 piece orchestra and reading through a stack of sheet music as thick as a magazine, Lindsey can handle the challenge.

Lindsey is a guitarist who is driven by a passion for playing and being inspired by music rather that fortune and fame. He is most satisfied with his work when he has been able to break new musical ground, and /or spend some time with his favorite kind of people, musicians.

The Lindsey Blair Quartet is a tight modern jazz quartet whose original compositions incorporate the best of modern jazz influences (Pat Metheny, Yellowjackets) with the vocabulary of traditional jazz, while incorporating world music influences from Brazil and the islands, adding some elements that are uniquely Miami. Funk and the blues are also be touched on to add an element of fire. The quartet is made up of Miami's finest players: Clay Ostwald (Grammy-nominated Producer of the Year) on keys, Nicky Orta (Chick Corea, Mike Stern) on bass and Rodolfo Zuniga on drums. Come and see what all the fuss is about.

The Stage is located at 170 Northeast 38th Street, Miami. For ticket and other info call The Stage at 305-576-9577 or visit thestagemiami.com. For more information on Lindsey Blair call Kimberly Chmura at 305-332-2623 or Rafael Solano at 305-775-0804.

KCC Productions presents the Pablo Gil Quintet

KCC Productions presents Jazz at MOCA, featuring the Pablo Gil Quintet, with Pablo on sax, Leo Quintero on guitar, Silvano Monasterios, piano, Gaby Vivas, bass, and Rodolfo Zuniga, drums. Friday, Sept 27, from 8-9:15 PM, 770 NE 125th St, North Miami. Free. Call 305-332-2623 for more info.

Pablo Gil Rodulfo is a Venezuelan saxophonist, composer, producer and arranger. He has performed or recorded with artists and groups such as Mike Stern, Edward Simon, Dave Samuels and the Caribbean jazz Project, Adam Rogers, Mike Holober, Dave Kikoski, Nicolas Folmer and the Paris Jazz Big Band, John Benitez, Steve Turre, Ron Carter, Patato Valdez, Juan Pablo Torres, Mario Rivera, Luis Perdomo, Gerry Weil, Alfredo Naranjo, Aquiles Báez, Orlando Poleo and Soledad Bravo among others.

His performances have taken place in countries such as France, United States, England, Panama, Côte d'Ivoire, Mexico, Peru, Oman, Russia, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Bonaire, Colombia, Portugal, Turkey and Senegal. He has issued five CDs as a leader: Major Delights (2002), Simbolos (2004), Empatia (2006), Suka Jazz en directo (2007), and Baladas (2008).

Pablo started his musical career in Merida, Venezuela. In the late 80's he moved to Caracas and in 1991 he was granted a scholarship to continue his musical studies in Paris (France), receiving various awards such as the gold medal in saxophone at the Conservatoire National De Paris (1995) and the first prize for saxophone in Paris (1995). He moved to United States where continued his studies with musicians such as Ron Carter, Bruce Barth, Steve Slagle and Rich Perry, and obtained the degree of Master of arts in Jazz Performance from City College of the City University of New York. Currently a Fellow in the Frost School of music in the University of Miami