Latin Jazz USA names recipients of the 2007
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Posted by: editoron Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 10:32 AM |
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“Latin Jazz USA Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Awards”
Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock, Hilario Durán, David Oquendo
& Nelson ‘Flacko’ Padrón
New York City, New York - Friday, November 16, 2007. Iván Acosta, President/Creative Director of Latin Jazz USA, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2007 Latin Jazz USA Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Awards for Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock, Hilario Durán, David Oquendo and Nelson ‘Flacko’ Padrón. These distinguished artists are being recognized for their contribution to the preservation and ongoing contributions to Afro Cuban jazz and Latin jazz.
The awards will be presented to these artists on December 22, 2007 at 8:00 pm at the Manuel Artime Theater in the heart of Little Havana in Miami, Florida, at a special tribute concert for percussionist Candido Camero: “Candido: Manos de Fuego, Celebrating 60 Years of Cuban Exuberance”.
The Latin Jazz USA Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Awards were created in 1988 by producer, playwright, and documentary filmmaker Iván Acosta, an integral part of the Latin Jazz USA Concert Series. These humble awards were initiated as a vehicle to give due recognition to the outstanding contributions which certain visionary artists and related professionals have made to Afro Cuban jazz, and Latin jazz. The first recipient of this award was presented to Maestro Chico O'Farrill in 1989. Some of the other legendary recipients include Dizzy Gillespie, Astor Piazzolla, Mario Bauza, Candido Camero, Israel Lopez ‘Cachao’, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto. Underscoring the importance of these awards is the relevance, interest and presence made by the musicians. In 1991, Celia Cruz presented one of the awards to Tito Puente at the Latin Jazz USA Carnegie Hall concert.
This year’s recipients have profoundly contributed to the rich heritage and culture of Afro Cuban jazz and Latin jazz, and they each carry a rhythmic torch for future generations to come:
Cuban Pete (Pedro Aguilar) and Barbara Craddock: Dancers. Two names are synonymous with clave-based Latin dance and music, and the only Latin dancers ever to receive the Latin Jazz USA Chico O’Farrill” Lifetime Achievement Award. Known for their expertise within the mambo genre, Cuban Pete and Barbara Craddock are considered to be authorities and visionaries of Latin jazz dancing. With a combined 50 plus years of professional dancing, they have choreographed and consulted on a variety of productions including original Latin jazz ballet, forever immortalizing clave in dance annals. They are considered to be experts on the history, culture and artistry of Latin dance and music and participate in panel discussions, appear in documentaries, captivate audiences with lectures on the roots of Latin dance and music, and teach “en clave” workshops worldwide. They presently still dance a sizzling Palladium-style Mambo that brings onlookers to their feet.
Cuban Pete:
Also known as the "King of the Latin Beat," the "Maestro of Mambo," and the "The Prince of the Palladium”- born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the El Barrio district of New York City. By 1950, Cuban Pete had received 63 first prizes at the Palladium. He has forever immortalized mambo dancing with his creation of over 100 steps, which are still considered to be the standards of today. Handwork became his trademark, as it was never formally used as an embellishment in Latin dance, so much so that the great Machito often referred to him as "El Cuchillo" (“The Knife”, Dance Magazine, March 1959). Some other career highlights include: 1954 Life Magazine article, two White House performances, (President Eisenhower and President Johnson) a command performance for Queen Elizabeth of England, and a performance at Madison Square Garden for Prime Minister Ben Gurion of Israel. Albert and Josephine Butler ranked Cuban Pete #1 on their list of mambo luminaries. Today Cuban Pete still dances a sizzling mambo with his partner, Barbara Craddock and together they perform, teach and judge nationally and internationally.
Barbara Craddock was born in New York and is based in Miami, Florida. A schooled ballroom dancer who specialized in Latin dance, Barbara brings more than 40 years of teaching and performance experience to the dance floor. Before collaborating with Cuban Pete, Barbara was well known throughout New York, New Jersey and South Florida for her performance programs with earlier partners. In the 1960s and 1970s, she performed with Kiko Fernandez throughout the New York/New Jersey region in a nightclub styled program that she choreographed and produced, which featured the duo in the Lindy, Bossa Nova, foxtrot and more. In the 1970s and into the 1980s, she toured and produced a two-woman show ``Invitation to the Dance, that was a nonstop revue of dance styles from the minuet to disco, with choreographed on-stage costume changes for herself and for Olga Suarez. Barbara is accredited by the National Dance Council of America, the National Dance Teachers of America, and she holds an international Adjudicating license from the International Dance Organization (IDO). Barbara has been a judge at numerous events including the 2005 Mambo King Latin Dance Expo & Dance Competition, the 2005 Fiestas Patronales Latin Dance Competition, and the 2004 Mambo King Latin Dance Expo & Dance Competition. In the 1960's and 1970's, she performed in nightclub styled programs in the New York and New Jersey areas with Kiko Fernández.
Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock were the choreographic consultants and instructors for the Miami City Ballet's "Mambo No. 2 A.M." under the direction of Edward Villella. They also choreographed "Latin Magic," an original mambo ballet for the University of the Arts School of Dance. Barbara has received numerous awards including the Fiestas Patronales Benefactor Award in 2005; a 3 Kings Productions Company Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and a Key to the City of Fort Myers in 2004. Barbara is also a lecturer on the history of Latin dance. Barbara and Cuban Pete host sold-out SRO lectures and workshops. The International Latin Music Hall of Fame commissioned resident artist, Erich Padilla, to capture the movements and footprints of Barbara and Cuban Pete on canvas as part of their permanent collection.
Hilario Durán: Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Musical Director and Educator. ALMA Records recording artist Hilario Durán was born in Havana, Cuba, presently lives in Toronto, Canada. This award winning and internationally acclaimed musician has toured around the world at major festivals and venues and has shared stages with many legendary musicians such Dizzy Gillespie and Michael Legrand to name a few. In 1976 Hilario Duran took over the piano responsibilities for Chucho Valdés when Chucho left the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna in Cuba. Also in Cuba from 1981-1990, Hilario Durán was a member of Arturo Sandoval’s band, where he was pianist and composer, arranger, and producer, and in 1982, Hilario received a Premio EGREM for Best Arranger of the Year.
In 1990, Hilario formed his own band “Perspectiva” which toured throughout Latin America and Europe. One year later, Hilario joined Canadian flautist Jane Bunnett’s group and performed with her and on her recording “Spirits of Havana” which won a Canadian Juno Award. In 1995, “Perspectiva” toured throughout Europe and after this successful tour, Durán decided to pursue his solo career. After two internationally released solo albums, “Francisco’s Song” and “Killer Tumbao” which featured a host of Cuban musical giants as Tata Güines and Changüito, Hilario Durán decided to move to Canada with his family and continue his career based in Toronto. More recordings followed: “Habana Nocturna” and “Encuentro en La Habana” with the former members of “Perspectiva”.
Since Hilario’s move to Canada, he has become an integral part of the Canadian music community. He has received Canada's top musical honors. He is a two time Juno Award winner and multiple nominee: Recipient of a Juno Award in 2006 for his Latin Jazz Big Band recording “From the Heart” featuring some of the top names in the Canadian and international jazz scene; and this recording also received a GRAMMY nomination. In 2005 he received a Juno for his trio recording “New Danzon” which presents the classic Cuban musical genre danzon to new heights, blending traditional Cuban danzon sounds and rhythms with sophisticated be-bop and technical musical mastery. Hilario’s 2003 recording “Havana Remembered” was a Juno nominee. Hilario is a multiple Canadian National Jazz Award recipient and nominee- in 2007 and 2006 recipient of the Canadian National Jazz Award for Latin Jazz Artist of the Year, and The Big Band of the Year in 2007. Hilario Durán is currently a faculty member at Toronto’s Humber College in the jazz program. (Piano Professor & Ensemble Director), and continues to perform and lead his various ensembles in Canada and internationally and also performs as a special guest with a host of sensational international artists.
David Oquendo (Guitarist /Singer/Composer/Arranger/Sonero). Born in Havana, Cuba, now living in New York City. David Oquendo is a self-taught musician who absorbed the essence of the Afro Cuban rhythmical vernacular from his native city. At an early age, David began playing guitar and singing in several Cuban “Rock” bands, and became considered one of the best guitar accompanists in Cuba. This was evident in his appearances at “El Rincon del Feeling”, “Cabaret Tropicana”, “Cabaret Internacional de Varadero”, “Salon Rojo” at the Hotel Capri , to name a few. As an accompanist, Mr. Oquendo has worked with numerous artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Marc Anthony, Johnny Ventura, Ray Barreto. He is a guitarist, singer, composer, arranger and bassist and has performed and recorded in Cuba, Panama , Dominican Republic, Austria, Canada, Greece and the U.S. He was the musical director and producer for “The Cuban Rumba All Stars".
David Oquendo is a double Latin Grammy nominee and he is the founder and director of the Afro Cuban folklore group “Raíces Habaneras” to rescue and preserve the pure form and essence of Cuba’s cultural heritage and Cuban rhythms and to pass it on to newer generations. Since its creation, the group has performed every Sunday in what is now its home base, “La Esquina Habanera”, a club located in Union City, New Jersey. This uninterrupted, weekly performance has now become a tradition in the community, and it is known as “Domingos de la Rumba” (Rumba Sundays). Raíces Habaneras’ artistic truth and quality have been witnessed by many on film in HBO’s “OZ” series, the PBS Documentary “The Cuban Americans,” and in Iván Acosta documentaries: “How to Create a Rumba/Como se forma una rumba” , and “Candido Hands of Fire”. ``How to Create a Rumba,” received accolades at the Lincoln Center Film Festival and the Austin Las Americas Film Festival. “Raíces Habaneras” unique style has entertained audiences in shows like WXTV’s “Sabado al Medio Dia” and Univision’s “Al Despertar,” as well as radio listeners on WBAI and WADO. Raíces Habaneras and their sultry sounds have graced lived audiences as well at New York’s Town Hall Theater, The Park
Theater in Union City, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Lehman College, CUNY, The Beacon Theater and several top rooms in Atlantic City. “Raíces Habaneras” is one of the featured acts performing at this year’s Seattle International Children’s Festival. The group has also performed with such music giants as Paquito D’Rivera and Michel Camilo.
Nelson ‘Flacko’ Padrón, and known as El Flaco Padrón: Percussionist/Drummer. Born in Cuba, Nelson ‘Flacko’ Padrón was a former member and director of the famous all girl jazz band "Ensueno". He studied piano with great piano teacher Noemy Vilarello. He started playing piano at a young age in Cuba and performed with Pacho Alonso, Celeste Mendoza, De Aidas Quartet, The Bucaneers and more. In 1960, the composer and conductor Julio Gutierrez invited Nelson to join the big band at Channel 4 TV with such greats as Adolfo Guzman, Armando Romeau Junior, and Maestro Urfe. In Cuba, Padrón was admired by musicians and jazz followers as an innovator for using the space between time as a weapon in his playing, and also renowned for the versatility and independence with his hands.
‘El Flacko’ has played with such artists as Felipe Dulzaides "Los Armonicos", Dizzy Gillespie, Ramsey Lewis, Della Reese, Arturo Sandoval, Mongo Santamaria, "Patato" Valdes, and Candido Camero to name just some of the greats. He has also recorded with pop and rock groups such as Andy Gibb, James Brown, Firefall, Wishbone Ash. In 1962 Padrón left Cuba, and in Miami he start playing and recording for a variety of artists including a jazz trio with guitarist Dave Dana (former guitar player of The Buddy Rich band) and with the great Hammond B3 player Jeff Palmer. In 1964, he recorded NELSON 'FLACO LOCO" which was well received by musician and listeners alike. At present and for the past 22 years Nelson “El Flacko” Padrón has been performing as the in house percussionist on the Univision TV show, "Sabado Gigante, with Don Francisco".
Latin Jazz USA is going into its 18th anniversary celebrating Afro Cuban and Latin Jazz, the unique blend of sounds and rhythms that ignited the music scene more than seventy years ago. Begun in 1989 at Schutzen Park, Union City, NJ with performances by Dave Valentin, Charanga 76, Bobby Sanabria and Daniel Ponce with his Conjunto Arawe and a 14 piece back up band, the event was an instant success, mirroring the increased popularity, which has made Latin Jazz immensely popular throughout Europe, Japan, Latin America and the United States. Following the triumph of that first event, the concert series has been hosted in New York by Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Town Hall- and in Miami, Florida at The Jackie Gleason Theater. For the future, the Latin Jazz USA Concert, Awards and Documentaries series will continue to showcase the rich musical heritage of Afro Cuban and Latin Jazz, which has transcended cultural boundaries all over the world.
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Latin Jazz USA 2007 “Latin Jazz USA Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Awards
& “Candido: Manos de Fuego, Celebrating 60 Years of Cuban Exuberance
”
December 22, 2007, 8:00 pm, Manuel Artime Theater, 900 S.W. 1st Street, Little Havana, Miami, Florida (305) 575-5057
http://www.manuelartimetheater.com/pages/default.asp
Sponsors: The Mutiny Hotel, Cardenal Mendoza, WDNA 89.9FM, El Nuevo Herald, & Rosa and The Executioner of the Fiend.
Artist Websites:
Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock:
http://www.salsapower.com/cubanpete/
Hilario Duran:
www.hilarioduran.com
David Oquendo:
http://www.folkcuba.com/music_store/det_raiceshabanerastxt5_9.html
Nelson El Flaco Padron- http://www.descarga.com/cgi-bin/db/21820.10?X4DNBt5n;;960
For further information and interviews, please contact:
Iván Acosta (646) 373-6475
President and Creative Director, Latin Jazz USA
Advertising Film Concerts, New York City / Miami, FL,
latinjazzusa@rcn.com, www.latinjazzusa.com
Canada:
Glenda Rush (514) 276-6870
Vivo Musique Internationale
Montréal, Québec, Canada
glendavivo@sympatico.ca
Vivo Musique Internationale
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