On November 19th, 8PM FOREIGN AFFAIR Quartet will be at the Centre Robert Dunand of the Conservatoire Populaire de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland (http://www.amiando.com/JWZHHAQ.html). Hope to see you!
Hector Martignon in Germany, Switzerland, November 2011
Dear friends, November 8th-16th I will be conducting a Compact Seminar on Jazz and Jazz pedagogy, at the Ludwigsburg University of Education in Ludwigsburg, Germany with a Piano Solo Recital on the 15th, 7PM.
On November 17th and 18th I will performing with my FOREIGN AFFAIR band in Lausanne, Switzerland, and on the 19th at the Centre Robert Dunand of the Conservatoire Populaire de Geneve in Geneva, (http://www.amiando.com/JWZHHAQ.html). Hope to see my friends in those cities!
THIS WEEK:
Every Monday night, 7:30-9PM at WALKER STAGE, 56 Walker Street, Tribeca: THE BIG BAND THEORY. It’s an open workshop to read, practice and perform Big Band music of all kinds, including originals by anybody who dares bring one. Walker Stage is a beautiful performance space in Tribeca. There’s a Jam Session afterwards, from 9-11pm… bring your ax and your charts!
Thursday, October 20th, 9:30PM: BANDAGRANDE, my 18 piece Big Band performs at the famous NUYORICAN POETS CAFE, playing Latin, Brazilian, Jazz arrangements and some originals. Featuring great players like Chris Washburne, Christos Rafalides, John Walsh, Mike Rodriguez, Terry Greene, Vince Cherico and other fantastic musicians; special guest this week, Brazilian star-vocalist Ana Lu Pereira.
Bandagrande at ZINC BAR and NUYORICAN
Latin and Brazilian music through JAZZ’ symphonic format: the 18 piece Big Band. We are proud to welcome you to a whole new repertoire of Brazilian favorites and originals…. on Thursday, August 18th, 9:30PM…. our monthly rendezvous at the famed
NUYORICAN POETS CAFE, 236 East 3rd Street (bet. aves B and C) and on Thursday, August 25th, 9:30PM, during Brazilian Festival Month, at the ZINC BAR, 82 W 3rd Street (bet. Sullivan and Thompson)
… thanks for supporting Live Music….!!
BANDAGRANDE Big Band at Nuyorican and FB Lounge
On Thursday, April 21st at 9:30PM, Hector and Friends’
new baby-project, an 18-piece power-sound-erupting machine, BANDAGRANDE Big Band, made music history at New York city’s lower East side’s famous NUYORICAN POETS CAFE, featuring some of the best Jazz and Latin Jazz players in town, including Chris Washburne (tb) , Samuel Torres (perc) Alex Han (alto Sx), Christos Rafalides (vb), Alex Hernández (bs), Vince Cherico (dr), Mitch Frohman (B Sx), Chelsea Baratz (t Sx), Enrique Fernandez (t Sx) and many others.
On Friday the 13th (#*&@%?^!!) of May, 9:30PM this original music and arrangements of Jazz, Salsa and Brazilian standards will literally (well, almost!) blow you away at “el barrio”‘s FB Lounge, by far Spanish Harlem’s nascent culture scene’s most sophisticated and happening venue !!!
World Premiere of composition by Hector Martignon at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC
After a performance by one of New York city’s best string orchestras, Musica de Camara, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, on Thursday April 7th. 2011,a review appeared in the New York Concert Review website. Among the compositions (all by Latin American composers) performed was Hector’s “Abre los Ojos, Cierra los Ojos” in a brand new orchestration commissioned by the ensemble; here excerpts from the review:
“Colombian Hector Martignon’s “Abre Tus Ojos, Cierra Tus Ojos” is a very difficult work that… caught the first violins off guard for a moment. Concertmaster Francisco Salazar, however, was absolutely terrific with his demanding solo part. Minimalistic, highly syncopated, and richly harmonized with 7th and 9th chords, “Cierra…” is a marvelous work, and the composer was present to receive the audience’s enthusiastic gratitude (photo).”
Latest Classic-Jazz crossover release
On April 20th, Hector and co-leader, Joe Burgstaller, are releasing their second album, Bach’s Secret Files, with the Summit Label. Incredible arrangements of Bach’s beautiful preludes in C minor and in F Major, the aria and first Variation of the exquisite Goldberg Variations and a daring re-inventing of Bach’s opus magna, St Matthew’s Passion’s ERBARME DICH aria, with operatic prima donna, Brenda Feliciano on vocals, are waiting to be listened and enjoyed, along with more pieces by Mendelsohn, Ravel, Satie and Debussy.
Hector records on CHICAGO’s latest CD, “EXITOS”
Growing up in urban Bogotá, Colombia, he devoured the music of this unique band, mesmerized by it’s distinctive sound, specially the Jazzy horn arrangements, together with the Rock sound of the rhythm section and the guitars. It’s a privilege having been invited to record some of their greatest hits with some beautiful Latin-tinged arrangements!!
Foreign Affair at the NUYORICAN POETS CAFE
Like every 3rd Thursday of the month for the last 4 years, on January 20th the incredible FOREIGN AFFAIR will be performing music from both it’s (2009, 2011 Grammy nominated-) CDs at the premier venue of Manhattan’s lower East side, the venerable, 35 years-old NUYORICAN POETS CAFE, where most of the experimental/avant-garde Latin poetry, theater and music of the roaring 70s (80s, 90s and 2000s for that matter) originated. It’s walls are decorated with the latest art from some the best Latin artists in NYC. It’s worth going just to SEE the place, and then, with this January weather, who doesn’t want to get warm and cozy with award-winning music? Musicians of all corners of NYC come and sit in and some intrepid dancers even dare to show their best steps… come and join us!!!
Jazz for the XXI century…
Some reviews Hector’s latest CD, SECOND CHANCE, (nominated for a 2011 GRAMMY) and REFUGEE
“…Martignon’s witty conception… pairs tunes that sequentially bookend each other. Time shifts, brisk turnarounds and bounding rhythms flash by with… dry bravado…it’s a likable mix. Martignon solos with crisp invention, and breathily sings his heartfelt “Observatory”…DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
“The incredible pianist Hector Martignon has released many top-level recordings since his days as a sideman with Ray Barretto, but Second Chance signifies a look back while searching for his future direction. Many of these compositions are revisits of previous albums with different personnel, emphasizing the horns of saxophonist Xavier Perez and trumpeter John Walsh, giving them more of a jazz rather than Latin jazz feel. While his Colombian and South American roots are very much present in the music, not to mention his personal virtuosity, Martignon seems ready to make a move toward composed, modern neo-bop as evidenced on at least half of this effort. It’s the hopped-up version of “Alone Together” at the end of the CD — with acknowledged influence of the late keyboardist Don Grolnick – that gives rise to this contention. His acoustic keyboard is a bit under the radar in the mix except when he solos, but tracks like Joao Bosco’s bubbling and rumbling modal samba “Bala Con Bala” (also featuring vibraphonist Tim Collins) and the heavier “Andrea” from 6/8 in 4/4 time, are closer to his identity as standouts. A soulful, romantic approach is heard, as well as a simmering danzon, slow seductive guajira, or funky commercial side. Fellow Colombian-born hand percussionist Samuel Torres (check out his efforts as a leader) is a big part of the band, while Edmar Castaneda (harp) and Vinny Valentino (guitar) make cameo appearances. This is a recording to savor, definitely listen to more than once, and keep in your collection, especially if you have the original versions of these finely crafted pieces of gold, so you can hear how they have evolved and acquired a new sheen.” ALLMUSIC.COM review by Michael G. Nastos
AUDIO – OBSERVATORY
