Rumba Calzada set to Heat up Salt Spring
ArtSpring will sizzle on July 15 when Rumba Calzada heats up the stage
with its powerful blend of Latin grooves and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Part of
ArtSpring’s sixth annual summer festival, this smoking quintet performs on
Friday July 15 at 8:00pm.
The equatorial heat of their percussion-driven sound simmers with the
coolness of West Coast jazz. Piano, vocals, bass and horn arrangements
defy the percussive pull beneath and seem to float breezily above.
Individually the players reflect Vancouver’s cultural mosaic, sprouting
from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Rumba Calzada’s take on Latin
music is also reflective of its locale, yet, as one critic wrote, “this is
real deal salsa.”
Audiences have been grooving to Rumba Calzada’s Latin explosion of
original and classic in clubs and concert halls since 1991. Their
recordings have captured the attention of the music industry with
nomitations for Canadian Independent Music Award, West Coast Music Award,
and the Juno Award.
Rumba Calzada includes Rolo Preza on vocals and percussion, Lou
Mastroianni at the piano, Rod Murray playing trombone, Allan Johnson on
bass and vocals, and Phil Belanger playing timbales and drums.
Rumba Calzada is the third performance in ArtSpring’s summer line-up
for eleven concerts featuring international talent. Highlights include
Rosheen, performing a blend of French and Irish music, Divas of Diversity,
showcasing Armenian and Arabic music, and Deep Cove Jazz, featuring four
of Canada’s best known jazz musicians.
Full festival details are available at artspring.ca/festival.htm.
Tickets for the July 15 performance can be ordered on line at artspring.ca
or by calling the Ticket Centre at 537-2102.
A special feature of this year’s festival is a “made on Salt Spring”
intermission concession, including Gelato Delizioso and Harlan’s
chocolates.
Sizzling Summer Nights is proudly sponsored by Pegasus Gallery of
Canadian Art. The Rumba Calzada performance is supported by Gelato
Delizioso.
Latin Jazz, Salsa & Afro-Cuban fans will not want to miss the band that
Los Angeles Latin Beat Magazine said is “guaranteed to move your feet and
reach your soul.”
A new feature of this year’s festival is a special “made on Salt
Spring” intermission concession, including Gelato Delizioso and Harlan’s
chocolates.
Officially opened in April 1999 by Robert Bateman, ArtSpring is an
11,800 sq. ft., two-level, heavy timber structure boasting a 5,200 sq. ft.
exhibition/multi-purpose area and a 6,600 sq. ft, 259-seat theatre.
ArtSpring the centre of cultural events on Salt Spring Island and is the
only professional year-round presenter of concerts and other events.
For ticket information please contact:
Ticket Centre at ArtSpring 250-537-2102 or 866-537-2102 (toll free)
www.artspring.ca
For more information, please contact:
Paul Gravett, Executive Director, ArtSpring 250-537-2125 paul@artspring.ca
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Rob McConnell Set to Play at ArtSpring
Salt Spring Island, BC –The Golden Age of American popular song is the source of inspiration for jazz
musicians Rob McConnell, Reg Swager and Neil Swainson for their Sunday, February 27 2005 (2:30
pm) performance at ArtSpring.
Considered one of Canada’s greatest jazz musicians, Rob McConnell has achieved an impressive variety of
accomplishments. A valve trombonist, composer and arranger, he has been leader and member of groups of all sizes:
from big bands, through sextets and quartets, down to his duets and trios with Ed Bickert, Neil Swainson and Don
Thompson. In 1998 Rob started a new Tentet.
For over thirty years, Rob’s main vehicle for jazz expression was The Boss Brass. With that aggregation, he
has played across Canada and the United States at numerous festivals, clubs and concert halls. The Boss Brass has
enjoyed headlining venues as well as sharing the stage with illustrious guests such as Mel Tormé, Joe Williams,
The Hi-Lo’s and Oscar Peterson.
The Globe and Mail called guitarist Reg Schwager "a very hip musician--hip, in a cool, offhand way that belies
his remarkable technical proficiency.” Reg has performed extensively in Canada and around the world with such
artists as Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Hank Jones, Nancy Wilson and Jimmy McGriff. He has recorded with Mel Tormé,
John Pizzarelli, Rob McConnell, Gary Burton, Don Thompson, Junior Mance and Peter Appleyard, among many others.
Since 1996 Reg has been working regularly with master pianist George Shearing, with whom he has performed
extensively in the US at such venues as Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and The Blue Note (NYC).
Neil Swainson has worked with Paul Horn in 1975, and played in his band for two years. As well, he backed up
such musicians as Barney Russell, Herb Ellis and Sonny Stitt. Since then he has been very active in the local
jazz scene, playing with such artists as Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, and Rob McConnell. He has also played with many
visiting jazz artists, such as James Moody, George Coleman, Jay McShann, Tommy Flanagan, Lee Konitz, Joe Farrell,
Slide Hampton and Woody Shaw, to name a few.
In 1986 Neil began working with George Shearing, a relationship that continues today. Together, they have
worked with many other great artists, such as Mel Tormé, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Robert Farnon and Diana
Krall. They have traveled worldwide, playing in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, Great Britain and all across
North America.
The concert is part of the ArtSwings! Jazz Series, sponsored by Royal LePage Salt Spring Realty.
Wine-tasting with Garry Oaks Winery starts at 1:30pm.
Officially opened in April 1999 by Robert Bateman, ArtSpring is an 11,800 square foot., two-level, heavy
timber structure boasting a 5,200 square foot exhibition/multi-purpose area and a 6,600 square foot, 259-seat
theatre. ArtSpring the centre of cultural events on Salt Spring Island and is the only professional year-round
presenter of concerts and other events.
For ticket information please contact:
Ticket Centre at ArtSpring 250-537-2102 or 866-537-2102 (toll free)
www.artspring.ca
For more information, please contact:
Paul Gravett, Executive Director, ArtSpring 250-537-2125 paul@artspring.ca
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