The Soul Of Miami

The City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council presents The Felipe Lamoglia Ensemble at Sleepless Night
November 6 at 2:30 AM
Classical South Florida Stage
Ocean Drive at 8th Street
South Beach

courtesy of KCC Productions. For more information, visit sleeplessnight.org.

Felipe Lamoglia is a Grammy-winning saxophonist, composer and arranger. Born and educated in Cuba, he is a graduate of the prestigious Superior Institute of Art (ISA).

In 1999 Lamoglia relocated to the U.S. where he immediately began performing with the late Celia Cruz. In 2001 he began playing with Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval, performing all over the world and recording on Trumpet Evolution, as well as two DVD releases: Live at the Blue Note NYC and Live at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. In 2004 he joined Grammy winner Gonzalo Rubalcaba, recording on his Grammy-nominated album, Paseo (Blue Note).

In 2006 Lamoglia arranged and played on Ignacio Berroa’s debut album Codes, also released on Blue Note and nominated for a Grammy. In 2007 Felipe contributed as arranger, performer, and composer for Arturo Sandoval’s Grammy-winning album, Rumba Palace.

Throughout the years he has continued to develop his solo work and in 2007 released his first solo CD, Dimensions, recorded in Brazil. This album incorporated Felipe’s Afro-Cuban roots with a blend of Brazilian music and straight-ahead jazz. He is currently promoting his quintet, Afro-Cuban Beats.

Felipe has shared the stage with musical giants such as Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Eldar, Dafnis Prieto, Ignacio Berroa and many others, participating in Major Jazz Festivals in the U.S. and abroad including JVC, Playboy, Newport, Henieken Jazz, Red Sea and in venues such as Blue Note, Iridium, Jazz Standard, Yoshi’s, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola and many more.

Felipe’s latest project, “Iresounds”, is a mix of his Afro-Cuban roots, Latin jazz, and contemporary jazz. They have a superb brass section and a rhythm section of exceptional young Cuban musicians. Their music and arrangements are entirely Felipe’s, done with the flavor of the tunes he wrote for Rumba Palace.

The City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council presents Batuke Samba Funk at Sleepless Night
November 5 at 11:30 PM
Euclid Circle Stage
Lincoln Road
South Beach

courtesy of KCC Productions. For more information, visit sleeplessnight.org.

Batuke is the act of drumming on any surface, or with any object, that makes a sound. Recycled cans, plastic buckets and pieces of scrap metal have all been transformed into percussive instruments that enhance the musical atmosphere of this group established by Diogo Oliveira in 2008.

The core of Batuke Samba Funk comprises four musicians based in Miami, Florida. The group offers a fusion of Brazilian rhythms including samba and samba rock with classic American funk. While the core group consists of bass, drums, keyboard and voice, the ensemble is joined by trombone, female vocals and Brazilian percussion when performing with their full 7-piece configuration.

Bassist, composer and musical producer Diogo Oliveira is the creator of Batuke Samba Funk. He is one of the most recognized and accomplished Brazilian musicians working in South Florida. One of his recent musical productions, Braziian Voices Funky Jazz Show, was awarded “Best Show of the Year” by the Brazilian Press Awards in 2010.

Batuke’s keyboard and woodwinds are performed by Brian Wolfe, an American originally from Alabama. Wolfe is multi-talented…songwriter, composer and musical producer with particular focus on horn and string arrangements.

Goran Rista provides the dynamic drumming style that is a signature of Batuke. Originally from Serbia, Rista brings a drumming style defined by clean execution, mutli-layered range and intense power that evoke an instantaneous interplay between music and emotion.

The featured vocalist of Batuke is Robson Coccaro, an accomplished singer, music producer and event designer. He is one of the most distinctive vocal talents in the US, offering a sublime synthesis of groove and melodic character that have helped establish Batuke as one of the most sought after bands in Miami.

The City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council presents The Paulo Gualano Brazilian Drummers and Dancers at Sleepless Night
November 5 at 11 PM
Euclid Circle Stage
Lincoln Road
South Beach

courtesy of KCC Productions. For more information, visit sleeplessnight.org.

Paulo Gualano and his Brazilian & Latin orchestras and shows have performed for many prestigious companies and important people, such as:

Mr. Bill Clinton at the Summit of the Americas (James L. Knight Center, Miami), Mr. Fernando Collor de Mello (Former Brazilian President), Compaq Computers (Cancun, Mexico), Microsoft (Miami Beach Convention Center), Presidente Hotel (El Salvador), Hyatt Regency Guatemala (Guatemala City), Radisson Hotel (Aruba), Rotary Club (Grand Cayman Islands), Viva Chicago Fest (Chicago), Federal Express (Marriott World Center – Orlando), Epcot Center (Orlando), Apple Computers (Broward Convention Center), Nike (Japan & South Korea), Wet & Wild Water Park (Orlando), TV Guide (Universal Studios), Acer Computers (Mirage Casino – Las Vegas), Opryland Hotel (Nashville), Budweiser, United Way, Brazilian Carnival Ball in Toronto, Brazilian Carnival Ball in Cleveland, and Brazilian Carnival Ball in Chicago, just to name a few.

The company offers Brazilian and Latin shows such as Samba, Capoeira, Lambada, Salsa, Flamenco, Tango, and more!

The City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council presents The Shuffle Demons at Sleepless Night
November 5 at 10 PM
Euclid Circle Stage
Lincoln Road
South Beach

courtesy of KCC Productions. For more information, visit sleeplessnight.org.

The City of Miami Beach presents the sensational Canadian jazz-rock-fusion band The Shuffle Demons at Sleepless Night, Saturday, November 5, at 10 PM, at the Euclid Circle Stage, Lincoln Road, South Beach. The Shuffle Demons first broke onto the Canadian music scene in 1984 with an electrifying musical fusion that drew in equal measure from Sun Ra, Charles Mingus, Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. The band was one of the first indie acts to break out on MuchMusic. This band was genre-bending, highly visually entertaining, funny, and best of all, could really PLAY. All their eye-catching, crowd-pleasing stunts were backed up by incredibly solid musicianship and real ground-breaking playing.

Over a twenty-six year span The Shuffle Demons have released six CDs, two hit videos, won several music awards, done numerous TV and radio appearances and toured nationally and internationally, including 25 cross-Canada tours, five US tours, 16 European tours, a tour of India, a tour of China, a tour of Thailand, a tour of South Korea and a tour of Cuba, playing on big festival stages, theatres and clubs.

Expect the same exciting, no-holds-barred performances that feature wild romps in the crowd, free jazz moments, danceable funk, poetry, killer solos and more. Tonight the band will be joined by a Special Guest, in from New York: tenor saxophonist and composer Seamus Blake, who is recognized as one of the finest exponents of contemporary jazz. His music is known for its sophistication, bold improvisations and “sheer swagger”.

The Shuffle Demons appear courtesy of KCC Productions.

KCC Productions and the Van Dyke Cafe present The John Benitez Ensemble
Thursday, November 3, at 9 PM
The Van Dyke
846 Lincoln Road
South Beach.

featuring John on bass, Manuel Valera, piano, Felip Lamoglia, sax, and Francis Benitez, drums
For more information, call 305-534-3600 or visit thevandykecafe.com.

Born in Puerto Rico, bassist John Benitez began playing gospel music in church at age 13. Soon he was performing with musicians such as Chick Corea, Batacumbele and Cuco Pena. He toured Colombia, playing with top musicians there before moving to New York City in 1993, where he attended the City College of New York, and studied with Ron Carter and Anthony Jackson.

In 1997 he recorded Habana with Roy Hargrove, earning a Grammy for Best Latin Performance. In 2001 he released his first album as leader, Descarga in New York. Benitez has performed with many well-known American and Latin artists including Lucecita Benitez, Batacumbele, Justo Betancourt, Joe Madrid, Wynton Marsalis, Cuco Pena, Tito Puente, Lalo Rodriguez, Hilton Ruiz, Dave Samuels, Chucho Valdez and Bobby Watson. Benitez has also recorded with numerous performers such as David Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri and Roy Hargrove’s Grammy award-winning Crisol Band.

He has participated in two instructional videos with master percussionist Giovanni Hildalgo and Cuban drummer Ignacio Berroa. He can also be seen on the national TV shows Good Morning America, The Today Show and Bet On Jazz.

Benitez has performed as sideman and featured special artist in all of the major jazz festivals and venues, and has recently released a second CD, Purpose. A prolific composer, arranger and producer, he’s also the man Eddie Palmieri dubbed “the greatest bass player in the world”.

The City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council presents The Will Calhoun Trio, with John Benitez and David Gilmore, at Sleepless Night
November 5 at 9 PM
ExoStage at Soundscape
500 17th Street
South Beach

Courtesy of KCC Productions. For more information, visit sleeplessnight.org.

Not many artists have the vision and artistic energy to be Grammy winners and contribute to so many genres: jazz, rock, hip-hop, ambient, et al, while concurrently producing, touring, creating new projects, working on films, and continually pushing the envelope. Will Calhoun has this creative vision, and he is doing an extraordinary job keeping music a spiritual and motivating force in his life.

Will’s unique blend of improvisational and hard rock drumming can be found on each of Living Colour’s four Epic releases. As a member of Living Colour, Will received a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance by a group and another Grammy for
Best Hard Rock Performance.

In addition to his work with Living Colour, Will has recorded and/or toured and performed with diverse artists including B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jaco Pastorious, Harry Belafonte, Pharoah Sanders, Jack Dejohnette, Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Marcus Miller, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Oumou Sangare, Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, Wayne Shorter (on the Grammy-winning CD, High Life), Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, The Allman Brothers. As a producer, player, and songwriter, Will has worked on Herb Alpert’s
Grammy-nominated CD, Colors, and Mos Def’s The New Danger CD.

After releasing several solo drum/electronic albums and (with Doug Wimbish and Vinx) forming the groundbreaking band JUNGLE FUNK in the late 90’s, Will released his first solo jazz CD, which was Grammy-nominated in 2000: The Will Calhoun Quintet: Live at the Blue Note.

Will’s latest creation Native Lands is his follow-up release on Half Note Records. The album can be described as Jazz meets World, coupled with trance-inducing urban music. This dual disc (CD/DVD) combines Calhoun’s experiences as he marries his far reaching interests in a genre-bending collection that taps key expressionists from various backgrounds. Among those contributing are Pharaoh Sanders, Mos Def, Buster Williams, Stanley Jordan, Kevin Eubanks, Marcus Miller and Wallace Roney, as well as Nana Vasconcelos from Brazil and Cheick Tidiane Seck from Mali.

The City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Council presents Nicole Henry at Sleepless Night
November 5 at 6 PM
ExoStage at Soundscape
500 17th Street
South Beach

Courtesy of KCC Productions. For more information, visit sleeplessnight.org.

Although she’s already firmly established as one of the jazz world’s most acclaimed and respected young vocalists, Nicole Henry’s vibrant new album Embraceable makes it clear that she can’t be categorized so simply. “I consider myself a singer who loves singing jazz,” notes the versatile Miami Beach-based artist. “However, no matter the style or story, I’m always striving to be myself.”

Nicole Henry’s powerfully expressive, emotionally resonant voice has already earned her three international top 10 albums, the most recent being her 2008 release The Very Thought of You. She’s also won an international reputation as a beguiling live performer, enchanting audiences on multiple continents. The aptly titled Embraceable showcases the uplifting energy, sophisticated soulfulness and lyrical sensitivity that have endeared Henry to listeners around the world. However, the new album is a substantial departure from her prior releases, which established her as a peerless interpreter of jazz and pop standards. In contrast, Embraceable finds Henry applying her sublime vocal skills to a captivating set of songs drawn from a diverse array of sources, encompassing impressive new originals, covers of some ’60s and ’70s classics, and a trio of vintage jazz numbers. The material is delivered in a variety of musical settings that range from expansive orchestral arrangements to spare acoustic performances. The album matches Henry’s distinctive voice and abundant charisma with a stellar musical cast that includes saxophonist Kirk Whalum, pianist Gerald Clayton, harmonica virtuoso Gregoire Maret, and Grammy-winning arranger Gil Goldstein, and was helmed by Grammy-nominated producer Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman).

Embraceable’s 12 songs cover a remarkable range of musical and emotional ground, from Henry’s open-hearted reading of the Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil chestnut “Just a Little Lovin'” (originally made famous by Dusty Springfield) to her exotic take on the Brazilian favorite “A Day in the Life of a Fool” to her sultry reworking of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain” to her intimate voice-and-piano version of Christina Aguilera’s “Save Me from Myself.” Henry also dips back into pop-standard mode to deliver memorable renditions of the 1920s blues standard “Trouble in Mind,” Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Like Someone in Love” and of course “Embraceable You,” with Goldstein’s striking arrangement fusing the Gershwin classic with the Jaco Pastorius composition “Las Olas.”

Henry also shines on contemporary material, such as her torchy, gospel-flavored original “A Little Time Alone,” with it’s raise-the-roof tag and Whalum’s soaring tenor saxophone, and two new compositions written by and featuring gospel-soul artist John Stoddart: the reflective “Anything for You” and the vividly romantic “Even While You’re Gone.” Another notable new song is “Hush Now,” written by rising British singer-songwriter-pianist Oli Rockberger, with Henry moving the listener with the stirring story about comforting a hospitalized loved one. Henry viewed Embraceable’s eclectic approach as an opportunity to expand her repertoire, and to stretch beyond the piano-trio format that she had utilized on previous projects. To this end, she and Pierson invested considerable energy in searching for material and strategizing to find the best way to implement this broader musical vision while retaining her grounding in jazz. “I’ve always sung pop, R&B, and inspirational music,” she noted. “Even as I’ve focused on jazz over the past several years, I’ve still continued performing non-jazz material. It often seemed like I was living two musical lives, so I wanted to record an album that incorporated more of my overall musical personality.”

The process of choosing songs for Embraceable, she said, was both challenging and liberating. “I was looking for ways to shake things up and challenge myself. While I love jazz standards, I really wanted to continue to reach a deeper, more personal side of myself. There were literally hundreds of songs to choose from. What’s been interesting about this process is that it’s brought me to a place where I feel more connected on a much deeper emotional level with
everything I sing, revealing a more personal side of myself.”

The level of emotional commitment that Henry brings to Embraceable is consistent with the manner in which she’s always approached her creative life. Growing up in a musical family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she immersed herself in the arts early on, singing in school and church, and studying cello and ballet. She balanced this with a deep love for the popular music that surrounded her, finding inspiration in the artistry of such performers as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Another source of inspiration was Nicole’s aunt, Debbie Henry, who sang in the soul/disco outfit Silk. A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in Communications and Theatre, Henry got her first recording experience with dance music DJ/producer Noel Sanger. After “Miracle,” a Sanger track featuring Henry, reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s dance chart, she toured the U.S. with Sanger, which was followed by a stint with RCA recording artist Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise. Then, in 2001, Henry’s magnetic personality and theatrical background helped her to launch a successful acting career, appearing in film and television roles as well as a series of commercials and voiceover assignments. But she continued to maintain focus on her budding singing career, winning a large regional following around South Florida with her live performances and being named 2002’s Best Local Solo Musician by Miami New Times. The same year, Henry had the opportunity to sing with a jazz trio for the first time, and immediately recognized the musical freedom and storytelling potential that jazz offered. Henry’s enthusiastic embrace of jazz accelerated her creative development, leading to the 2004 release of her debut CD, The Nearness of You, on her own Banister label. That album won considerable attention from audiences and critics both in the U.S. and in Japan, with HMV Japan naming Henry the Best New Jazz Artist of 2004. The album climbed to #2 on HMV Japan’s jazz chart and remained in the top 10 for three months. Back home, Henry won rave reviews and received significant airplay on jazz radio, and was the subject of features in Billboard, JazzTimes and Downbeat. Her second album, Teach Me Tonight, on
which she was backed by the Eddie Higgins Trio, reached #1 in Japan and was named HMV Japan’s Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2005. Henry’s 2008 album, The Very Thought of You, found her continuing to explore the Great American Songbook while broadening her repertoire to include original material and contemporary songs. The album substantially expanded her American audience, reaching #7 on Billboard’s jazz chart. Its international popularity spurred her to step up her performance schedule with successful tours of Japan (where she’s toured nine times), Europe and Russia. Henry also remained a favorite in New York City where she’s made high-profile appearances at such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and Feinstein’s at the Regency. Throughout 2009 and 2010, her monthly performances in front of sold-out crowds at Chelsea’s Metropolitan Room led to winning the 2010 BISTRO Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist.

Henry’s prior achievements set the stage for the creative triumph of Embraceable, on which her successful stylistic departures mark her as an artist whose appeal transcends genre boundaries. “I’m happiest when I’m in front of an audience,” she stated, “connecting with people emotionally through music, and making Embraceable brought me closer to that feeling. I was able to reach deeper within to tell more personal stories; to embrace and express who I truly am”.

Van Dyke Cafe Artist Showcase/Singer songwriter night Songs of Peace
Oct 30, Nine Pm
Van Dyke Cafe
846 Lincoln Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 534-3600

Ra Nefarious
Free Like Me
Chellie Garcia
Ottrina Bond
Freddy Cleo
Amanda Sky
Lanny Earthman Smith
Pierce Cruise
Joel Zoss
Oedipus Jonez

The Incomparable Nicole Henry U.S. Debut of her Holiday CD “Set for the Season”
Thursday, December 1 @ 7:30 pm
Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre
500 71st Street
At the Byron Carlyle Theatre
Miami Beach, FL 33141

Kick Off the Holiday Season!
Donation: $50
VIP: $100 (limited to 50)
Preferred seating. Meet Nicole at a post-event reception at a private home, and receive a signed copy of “Set for the Season” CD.

Tickets 305. 397.8977
www.stagedoorfl.org

Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed under the law.
Tel:305.397.8977
Email: david@stagedoorfl.org