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LATIN JAZZ IN THE HEIGHTS: Alex “Apolo” Ayala & The Bámbula Project

Latin Jazz in the Heights!
Jazz Latino en Washington Heights!

Plaza de las Americas
175th & Broadway
June 29, 2024
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
 
Curated by Jazz Power Initiative

Come early and enjoy some activities with the family

11:00 am
· SpeakEasy Bookmobile will be on the plaza distributing free books

12:00 pm
· Domino tournament & Chess tournament with Care Center of NY begins.
· Face painting with Ysabel

Enter our raffle and have a chance to win a gift card to a local restaurant. Chosen at the end of each performance.

Puerto Rican Bassist Alex “Apolo” Ayala-Berríos is a dynamic force in the music world, embodying the spirit of the multi-lingual musician. Hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ayala-Berríos infuses his Afro-Caribbean heritage with his extensive knowledge of both Latin music and Jazz languages, resulting in a unique and captivating sound. With over two decades of professional experience, he has collaborated with an impressive array of Latin music giants and world-renowned Jazz musicians, including Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tito Nieves, and many others. His versatility shines as he effortlessly navigates through various musical styles, from Swing and Bebop to Bomba, Plena, and beyond.

A graduate of the prestigious Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, where he studied under legendary bassist Eddie Gomez and saxophonist David Sanchez, he now leads two ensembles: “The Bámbula Project,” an Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Quartet, and “The Afro-Puerto Rican Jazz Big Band.” With two albums as a leader under his belt and ongoing work as a sideman and musical director, Ayala-Berríos is a true star in the world of Latin Jazz.

Latin Jazz In The Heights: Sandy Gabriel Jazz Quintet

Latin Jazz in the Heights
Plaza de las Americas
Broadway and 175th Street
Sunday, June 9, 2024
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
SANDY GABRIEL JAZZ QUINTET
 
Curated by Jazz Power Initiative
Sunday, June 9th – Sandy Gabriel Jazz Quintet

Sandy Gabriel, a musical marvel hailing from Nagua and honed in the vibrant city of Puerto Plata, stands as a luminary figure in the realm of jazz. Armed with a degree in Composition, Arrangement, and Musical Production from Pedro Henriquez Ureña UNPHU University, his journey began under the tutelage of his father, the esteemed Dominican saxophonist, Socrates Gabriel. From the tender age of 14, Sandy’s passion for jazz ignited, leading him on a path of mastery across multiple instruments, including saxophone, flute, and synthesizer.

His illustrious career is studded with accolades, from clinching the 2003 National Music Award for Jazz to being honored at the prestigious The Soberano Awards (formerly Casandra Awards) in 2012 for “Best Concert of the Year.” Sandy’s virtuosity has graced international stages, from the Borinquen Jazz Festival in Puerto Rico to the European-Latin American Music Festival alongside icons like Ivan Lins and Arturo Sandoval. A beacon of Dominican jazz, Sandy Gabriel continues to captivate audiences globally with his unmatched talent and unwavering dedication to the art form.