Aruan Ortiz
Aruán Ortiz, whom DownBeat Magazine has called “one of the most versatile and exciting pianists of his generation,” hails from Santiago de Cuba. His compositions incorporate influences from classical music, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and improvisation. Garnering Latin Jazz Corner’s 2011 “Arranger of the Year, ” he has received commissions from university orchestras, dance companies, and chamber groups including the Santiarican Blues Suite (Sunnyside, 2011), fusing Haitian and Cuban music, for Boston-based Jose Mateo Ballet Theater. He has worked with Esperanza Spalding, Nasheet Waits, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cindy Blackman-Santanam, Greg Osby, and Wallace Roney, among others. His live recording with the Aruán Oritiz and Michael Janisch Quintet, Banned in London (Whirlwind Recordings, 2012), was recently selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the best albums of 2013.
February 12, 2015, 7:30pm
Harlem Stage Gatehouse
150 Convent Avenue (at 135th Street)
Manhattan
RSVP: 212-281-9240, ext. 19 or 20
harlemstage.org
Composers Now resident artist and Doris Duke Performing Artist awardee, Aruán Ortiz presents an intimate first look at his ambitious new work that illuminates the rich heritage of the Antilles. The work draws from a Haitian-based African Minuet form now standard as Tumba Francesa in Cuba. Join the artist and his ensemble for a discussion and music.
Aruán Ortiz, whom DownBeat Magazine has called “one of the most versatile and exciting pianists of his generation,” hails from Santiago de Cuba. His compositions incorporate influences from classical music, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and improvisation. Garnering Latin Jazz Corner’s 2011 “Arranger of the Year, ” he has received commissions from university orchestras, dance companies, and chamber groups including the Santiarican Blues Suite (Sunnyside, 2011), fusing Haitian and Cuban music, for Boston-based Jose Mateo Ballet Theater. He has worked with Esperanza Spalding, Nasheet Waits, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cindy Blackman-Santanam, Greg Osby, and Wallace Roney, among others. His live recording with the Aruán Oritiz and Michael Janisch Quintet, Banned in London (Whirlwind Recordings, 2012), was recently selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the best albums of 2013.