S.O.B.'s Concert Series Presents 'New Dimensions in Latin Jazz,' 4/5 & 4/19

NEW DIMENSIONS in LATIN JAZZ returns to S.O.B.'s on Monday, April 5th, 2010 with a double bill of the Grammy-nominated Cuban drummer IGNACIO BERROA's quartet and the virtuoso Cuban pianist-composer ELIO VILLAFRANCA with a soloperformance on acoustic piano. April 19th will also see a performance by the Jon Benitez Sextet.

The groundbreaking performance series, planned for alternate Mondays, continues April 19th with a double bill of multiple Grammy-wining bassist JOHN BENITEZ 's sextet and the duo of Grammy-winning Argentinian pianist FERNANDO ORTERO and violinist Nick Danielson.

Like a binary star system in constant mutual orbit, each continent exerts an irresistible gravitational pull upon the other: South American music's rhythmic complexity and continuing link to ritual, folklore and dance penetrating North America's mainstream as an undercurrent of spontaneity, surrealism and delirium; the North's more linear evolution -from Dixieland to Swing to Bebop and beyond - providing discrete chapters of musical progression.

NEW DIMENSIONS in LATIN JAZZ originated in a five month run at Jazz Standard in 2007, opening doors onto the panorama of cutting-edge music created by a new wave of Latin American jazzistas now based in New York -- Argentinean trumpeter Diego Urcola, Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda, Grammy-nominated Cuban guitarist Juan-Carlos Formell, Colombian percussionist Samuel Torres, Argentinian bassist Pedro Giraudo, and the U.S. debut of the Grammy-nominated Brazilian accordionist/composer Tonhino Ferragutti, as well as the New York debuts of exceptional Cuban jazz pianist/composers Elio Villafranca and Osmany Paredes.

The series continued into 2009 at Zinc Bar and S.O.B.'s. with presentations of Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry,and the New York debuts of Venezuelan pianist Silvano Monasterios and Cuban singer Haydee Milanes.

Monday April 5th: IGNACIO BERROA QUARTET
Robert Rodriguez, piano Ricky Rodriguez, bass
Javier Perez, saxophone Ignacio Berroa, drums

ELIO VILLAFRANCA -- SOLO PIANO
Now an important participant in the NY jazz scene, pianist/composer Elio Villafranca was born in Cuba and classically trained at El Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana. His music, informed by jazz and AfroCuban culture, creates spirited,groundbreaking innovations. His 2003 debut album, "Incantations/Encantaciones (Universal/Pimienta), was selected as one of the top 50 jazz albums of the year by Jazz Times Magazine.

MONDAY APRIL 19th: JOHN BENITEZ SEXTET
Manuel Varela, acoustic piano John Benitez, bass
Jhair Sala, percussion Francis Benitez, drums
Ivan Renta, saxophone Tony Lujan, trumpet

Since moving to New York from Puerto Rico in the mid 1009s, John Benitez has become a legend on the bass,performing and recording with a who's who of masters in Latin music and jazz -- Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Michel Camilo, Eddie Palmieri, David Sanchez, Danillo Perez, Kenny Kirkland,and Chucho Valdes -- and contributing to Roy Hargrove's Grammy-winning recording "Havana". "John Benitez....explored musical possibilities into new uncharted Pan American galaxies and boundless, colorful jazz regions" -- The New York Times

FERNANDO ORTERO & Nick Danielson duo:
Fernando Ortero, acoustic piano Nick Danielson, violin

"Beginning with "El Circulo Rojo," which appears on both recent albums, Mr. Danielson and Mr. Otero locked in tightly,playing a compact melody in sync and then spiraling outward to set up some counterpoint. During one
passage in the piece,and on a brisk subsequent composition, there was a faint echo of the dynamic that existed between the pianist Chick Corea and the violinist Jean-Luc Ponty some 30 years ago....Mr. Danielson played with charismatic vigor, tackling parts clearly intended to tweak the conventional language of his instrument. " -- The New York Times25 years ago, June 1982 to be exact, something began to bubble on Varick Street in lower Manhattan. Fueled by a total commitment to exposing the musical wealth and heritage of the Afro-Latino Diaspora to as many people as possible, Larry Gold opened the doors to what would become New York City's premier venue for world music; Sounds Of Brazil, commonly known as S.O.B.'S.

At the time, Varick Street wasn't exactly a hub of culture in Manhattan. The area South of Houston wasn't yet known as the trendy, cutting-edge community of "SoHo" that has since developed. It was simply a strip of asphalt that led to the Holland Tunnel marked by non-descript warehouses and a squat, grey post office. Needless to say, it wasn't exactly inviting. But true to his can-do New York spirit, Larry Gold forged ahead with his dream and due to his dedication, the corner of West Houston and Varick Streets was transformed from a family diner in the middle of a harsh commercial landscape to an internationally known, highly respected oasis of world music and fine cuisine in the heart of SoHo. The venue instantly began to draw the young, hip and creative crowd that would eventually help to transform and revitalize the area from a virtual no-man's-land to a vibrant and exciting community of artists and cutting-edge commerce.

Fast-forward 25 years to New York City, 2008 and the SoHo scene that S.O.B.'S helped to create. The venue and the neighborhood remain an important and vital part of the cultural fabric of New York, drawing both locals and tourists from around the world. S.O.B.'S caters to the tastes of both seasoned New Yorker's as well as visitors by providing top-notch entertainment in an intimate setting. In fact, S.O.B.'s has developed a reputation amongst artists and industry insiders as the place to check for trends and artists on the cusp of a breakthrough to the mainstream. The list of performers who have honed their pre-fame chops on the artist-friendly stage at S.O.B.'S is a veritable who's who of well-known artists. Even more impressive is the number of artists who have reached mainstream success but still chose to return to S.O.B.s to maintain an intimate connection with their audience.

For more information, visit www.sobs.com.