07/23 - Friday:: The Arturo O’Farrill Family Band

Arturo's website

Grammy Award winning, composer, educator, and pianist, Arturo O’Farrill has performed throughout the world with his big bands, small ensembles, and as a solo artist. He has recorded extensively as both a leader and a sideman , his latest recording “Risa Negra” (Zoho) placed in the 2009 top ten albums for the Village Voice, The Wall Street Journal, and others. This evening marks the U.S. premiere (the world premiere took place at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival in 2009) of his newest ensemble, The O’Farrill Family Band, featuring his sons Zack on drums and Adam on trumpet. Zack and Adam have already created quite a buzz in the jazz world and have recently recorded their own debut CD, “Giant Peach.” Zack has performed at Marians Jazzhaus in Switzerland, Symphony Space, Birdland, and Smoke in New York, as well as the Fox Jazz Festival in Manassa, Wisconsin. Adam has performed at the White House for First Lady Michelle Obama, with The GRAMMY High School Jazz Band, and with his father at Smoke, Symphony Space, Birdland, and the Jazz Standard. Between the two of them they have played alongside the greats of our day including Randy Weston, Benny Golson, James Moody, Stefon Harris, and many others. This is a rare opportunity to hear an intimate and loving performance with one of America’s great families of jazz.

Skin Against Metal is a modern percussion group rooted in the Afro-Cuban drumming tradition based in Westchester NY. Classical/jazz pianist Maurice Minichino and Afro-Cuban percussionist/vocalist Nanette Garcia have been composing and performing together for over 25 years continually exploring the fusion of folkloric rumbas and sacred bata rhythms with classical and jazz styles. Percussionist Brenden Tacon, the newest member of the group, is as well, dedicated the studies of folkloric and sacred rhythms of Cuba, and was a member the Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra directed by Arturo O’Farill.