The New Mexico Jazz Workshop presents the 32nd Annual Guest Artist Series

For event & ticket info, call 255-9798
10% discount on Season Tickets (all 3 concerts)

Dennis Mackrel with The Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra,
plus the Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet
Saturday, February 16, 2008

8:00 pm - The African American Performing Arts Center
Tickets $25 / $20 NMJW Members / $10 Students

The New Mexico Jazz Workshop has worked closely with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra to bring jazz artists that perform with and lead this fine local ensemble. On February 16, seasoned Jazz Drummer, and Composer, Dennis Mackrel, will perform with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Mackrel has traveled extensively and has worked with notable musicians that include Lionel Hampton, Kevin Mahogany, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, and Nancy Wilson. He has performed with ensembles such as Slide Hampton and the Jazz Masters, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Band, The Manhattan Symphony Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Classic Jazz Orchestra, The Hank Jones Trio, The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, and the American Jazz Orchestra. In February of 1990, Dennis became drummer in The Mel Lewis/Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He was also a featured soloist in the West Coast Premier of “Charles Mingus' Epitaph.” Trumpeter/Composer, Gabriel Alegria, draws on Peruvian folk songs and folk traditions, resulting in a unique Latin Jazz sound that incorporates intoxicating polyrhythms of coastal Peru..

Claudia Villela Band
Saturday, March 8, 2008

8:00 pm - The Kimo Theatre
Tickets $35 Gold Circle / $30 Orchestra – NMJW Members $25
$25 Balcony - $20 NMJW Members

When people think of Brazilian music, the Samba and its daughter, the Bossa Nova, automatically come to mind. In fact, Brazil is a land of an extraordinary variety and depth of musical styles, music with a range that speaks from the heart to the gamut of human emotions. Brazilian-born jazz vocalist, Claudia Villela, draws from her childhood in Rio de Janiero, recalling, “My singing is the sum of all the music I've heard, from Brazilian baroque to bossa nova to free jazz, the nostalgic and modern.” Her haunting improvisations and her surprising five-octave range has earned her a consistent following at such venues as the Monterey Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Jazz at Filoli, Yoshi's Nitespot, Kimball's, and other clubs and festival dates in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. Audiences are drawn to the dimension and playfulness of her jazz singing. “This project is made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.”

Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Saturday, April 5, 2008

8:00 pm - The Albuquerque Little Theatre
Tickets $35 Gold Circle / $30 Orchestra – NMJW Members $25
$25 Balcony- $20 NMJW Members

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band bursts with the quintessential sound of New Orleans, a dynamic blend of traditional N'awlins brass, bebop, Jazz, R&B and funk. First formed in New Orleans in 1975, musicians world-wide have worked with the band, from Dr. John to Dizzy Gillespie, Elvis Costello, Joe Henry and Dave Matthews. In keeping with their spirit of experimentation, the band has changed both the style and repertoire of brass band music. They've mixed intriguing approaches to traditional and familiar material, but in a context emphasizing challenging original music composed by the Dozen members themselves. The band has resurrected, revitalized and put distinctly personal stamps on what was a dying tradition of New Orleans brass bands. The group has inspired a full-on revival that's flourished with several new generations of young brass bands each bringing their own twists to the form.