MADISON — The Madison Music Collective will present dynamic CALJE (Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) for an exclusive local concert and workshop Sunday, Oct.12, 3 p.m.,
This is the second concert and workshop of the Fall/Winter Jazz On A Sunday series at the Brink Lounge, 701 East Washington Ave.
CALJE is a force to be reckoned with on the Latin Jazz scene. Their global sound and international appeal expresses Afro-Cuban Jazz, as well as music from all of Latin America. It is through the fusion of their Afro-Cuban rhythmic foundations that CALJE compositions reflect such influences as Argentinian Tango, Dominican Merengue, Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena, Spanish Flamenco and Jamaican Reggae roots. CALJE consistently delivers pulsing rhythms and captivating performances.
In 2010 their debut album “Blueprints” was released to high praise and great enthusiasm from South America to Europe, and all across the United States. “Blueprints” was critically acclaimed, and received 3 ½ stars from Downbeat Magazine. Artists featured on this innovative album were Grammy Award-winning trombone legend Steve Turre and virtuoso conga player and composer Paoli Mejias.
Neil Tesser, jazz critic for the Chicago Reader and author of the Playboy Guide to Jazz called ”Blueprints” a "Latin jazz masterpiece."
“CALJE is forging a new sound with their diverse and original repertoire. Building on the foundation laid by pioneering artists such as Mario Bauza, Machito, Chucho Valdes’ Irakere, Tito Puente, Fort Apache, Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo, this band represents a new generation with an impressive dynamism and vision for what the future of music holds.” Jazz In The Park, Milwaukee, 2014
The highly talented members of CALJE include:
Victor Garcia, trumpet and co-leader, has performed with his group, CALJE, and freelanced in Chicago and beyond for the past 10 years. He has recorded dozens of albums, two of which garnered Grammy nominations in 2005 and 2008, and one which was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2007. Victor maintains a busy teaching schedule at the Music Institute of Chicago, Merit School of Music, Loyola University and Roosevelt University.
Stu Mindeman, keys, is an active pianist/keyboardist based in Chicago, IL. When he is not performing or recording, Stu composes and arranges for numerous performers, churches, and musical acts. You can find Stu performing all over Chicago at the Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, M Lounge, and many other great music joints in Chicago!
Joshua Ramos, bass, was born in 1982 in Chicago. Today, Joshua makes a busy career out of teaching music at various locations and performing. Joshua has opened for Stevie Wonder, Spyro Gyra and Vernon Reid with Liquid Soul.
Juan Pastor, drums, studied classical music for five years at the Concervatorio Nacional de Lima, then moved to Chicago to study at Northern Illinois University where he received a Bachelor of Music and his Masters of Music from DePaul University in 2013. Currently Juan is an adjunct music faculty member at Benedictine University and a percussion instructor for the After-School Partnership Program at DePaul University.
The CALJE concert is presented by the Madison Music Collective (MMC). The MMC is a non-profit whose goal is to grow the local audience for jazz and other forms of improvised music and help audience members deepen their understanding of and appreciation for, this challenging, rewarding, and most American art form.
Chris Wagoner, president of the MMC, and Mary Gaines of Mad Toast Live! will conduct live interviews of the musicians throughout the performance. Wagoner and Gaines are veterans of the Midwest music scene and have been founding members of some of Wisconsin’s most popular groups, e.g., Harmonious Wail, Common Faces, Moon Gypsies, and their current vintage-jazz ensemble, The Stellanovas.
Laurie Lang will lead the Improvisational Music Workshop immediately following the concert. This free-to- the public jazz/improvisation workshop with the featured performers, welcomes participation from any instrumentalists and vocalists. Audience members are encouraged to stay and observe this unique “insider’s” view of the jazz and improvisational world. Ms. Lang is an experienced producer/founder/director of Madison’s Improvisational Music Workshop, bassist, composer, arranger, and educator.
For more information, visit www.madisonmusiccollective.com or call Chris Wagoner 608-834-2122 or e-mail studiostrings@charter.net
