The Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond is pleased to present a free pre-performance talk with Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s musical director, Oscar Hernández on Thursday, January 22, 2015, at 7:30pm in the Keller Hall Reception (Room 101) at the University of Richmond. University of Richmond’s Dr. Michael Davison, scholar on Salsa and Latin Jazz, will moderate the lecture.
Come early and enjoy a discussion with Hernández and Davison. Stay after to enjoy the the two-time Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The latter is a ticketed event. The thirteen world-class instrumentalists and vocalists bring music bursting with punching horn lines and spirited vocals straight from the barrio. Their raw, vintage sound is marked by fiery salsa mixed with moments of melodic balladry and represents the authenticity and tradition of Spanish Harlem. Generating a spontaneous, natural energy all their own, Spanish Harlem Orchestra doesn’t get any better than when its New York-style, hard-core salsa is heard live. Dance will be an involuntary action so a dance floor will be provided.
About Oscar Hernández
Grammy Award Winner Oscar Hernández has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-jazz and salsa music scene. He is the leader of the world-renowned Spanish Harlem Orchestra. With five CD’s to date, Oscar and SHO, as they are commonly known, were nominated for a Grammy for their first CD Un Gran Dia En El Barrio, won a Grammy for their second CD release, Across 110th Street, nominated for their third CD United We Swing, and won yet another Grammy with their forth CD Viva La Tradicion. Their fifth self-titled album was released in September of 2014. Oscar was the music producer as well as pianist/arranger on all CD’s. Since the band’s inception in the year 2001, SHO has garnered numerous awards and world acclaim as one of the finest exponents of Salsa and Latin/Jazz music. Spanish Harlem Orchestra is generally considered one of the best Salsa orchestras today and one of the finest music ensembles in the world.
Oscar’s career as a professional began in the 70’s performing and recording with such seminal artists as Ismael Miranda, Ray Barreto, Celia Cruz, Conjunto Libre, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez & Grupo Folklorico. Oscar was responsible for charting the musical course of the Rubén Blades Band, “Seis Del Solar.” Increasingly in demand as a pianist, arranger and producer, the Bronx native has produced such artists as Ruben Blades, Paul Simon, Willie Colón “Carabali,” Daniel Ponce, Rafael Dejesus, Eddie Torres, Phil Hernandez, Steve Kroon, Juan Luis Guerra, and the like. Hernandez made a more personal statement with the debut CD’s “Decision” and “Alternate Roots” by his band Seis Del Solar the Rubén Blades Band sans Rubén, and now with his two-times Grammy Award winning band, Spanish Harlem Orchestra. In addition to leading New York’s SHO, Oscar also leads an All-Star Salsa Orchestra in Los Angeles and performs with his Latin Jazz Quintet.
Hernández is Rubén Blades pianist, arranger and musical director, and has enjoyed a prolific musical career recording and performing with such world renown artists as Latin music king Tito Puente, Queen of Salsa Music Celia Cruz, Latin Pop Star Julio Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Ray Barreto, Earl Klugh, Dave Valentin, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda, Pete”Conde” Rodríquez, Oscar De’leon, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, “Libre’ “Grupo Folkorico Experimental,” Willie Colón, and Kirsty MacColl. Oscar’s musical exploits include working as musical director/conductor, arranging and producing the music for The Capeman, pop-rock icon Paul Simon’s Broadway musical. In addition, Oscar is also the music producer of The Capeman cast recording. Oscar was Musical Director/Arranger for the hit shows Quien Mato A Hector Lavoe and La Lupe at the 47th Street Theatre. He was also, music supervisor/arranger for the show Four Guys named Jose & Una Mujer named Maria.
Oscar’s work as a studio session player can also be heard on numerous commercial jingles, some of which he has written and arranged. Among those is the hit show Sex and the City. Oscar has composed music for film having scored the music for the film documentaries, If The Mango Tree Could Speak by Pat Goudvis and Angela Tiene Un Bebé” by Paula Heredia, HBO’s Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story and Cuban Roots/Bronx Stories by Pam Sporn.
About Moderator Dr. Michael Davison
Distinguished trumpeter Dr. Michael “Mike” Davison is a legendary performer, respected professor, published composer, and ethnomusicologist. Davison’s love of music has shaped his life and career. He is in demand across the country as a classical and jazz performer and educator. As a performer, he has given jazz and classical recitals all over the United States as well as in parts of France, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, China and Cuba. Davison has recorded four jazz CDs as both a leader and sideman. His classical CD, Fenster, received rave reviews from the International Trumpet Guild Journal. Widely considered an expert in Cuban music, he performs and teaches Cuban music at the University of Richmond and worldwide. As a jazz musician, Davison has performed with the late tenor saxophonist and 11-time Grammy winner, Michael Brecker, popular jazz trombonist, Curtis Fuller and legendary Latin jazz saxophonist and composer, Justo Almario. He has also performed alongside some of Motown’s most iconic singers and groups, including Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations and The Four Tops. As a classical musician, Davison has performed with Rhythm and Brass, a group that plays everything from Bach to Pink Floyd. He has performed with the Wisconsin and Whitewater Brass Quintets, the Rochester Philharmonic, Wisconsin Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony. Davison has performed for Pope John II and George Leonard Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Davison has published two transcription books on famed trumpeter Randy Brecker. Randy Brecker: Artist Transcriptions/Trumpet was published by Hal Leonard Publishing Company and The Music of Randy Brecker: Solo Transcriptions and Performing Artist Master Class CD was published by Warner Bros. In addition to transcribing, Davison has also published jazz and Afro-Cuban compositions with Walrus Music. In 1986, Davison accepted a job as head of the jazz and trumpet programs at the University of Richmond. A respected scholar on Cuban musical styles, he has taught many courses on jazz and Cuban music since arriving in Richmond and was recently awarded the prestigious Educator of the Year award.
His influence as an educator goes beyond the University of Richmond campus. Davison also serves as trumpet instructor and head of the brass area at the world-renowned Interlochen International Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. He hosted the International Trumpet Guild Conference in 1999 and is an Edwards Instrument Performing Artist. Davison, along with producer Ed Tillett, completed Cuba: Rhythm in Motion, a documentary tracing the musical genealogy between Cuban rhythms and American jazz. The film premiered on the campus of the University of Richmond in 2007 and has been shown around the world, including Spain, Australia and Mexico. Dr. Davison is presently writing a book on Cuban folk music.
An active recitalist, Davison has performed on public radio, with the University of Maryland Jazz Ensemble, and as soloist with the Richmond Symphony, among many other appearances. Davison has written numerous articles for DownBeat, G.I.A. Quarterly, and Fanfare magazine. He has published many jazz combo charts with Advance Music Company and is a clinician for the Selmer/Bach company.
Additional Information
Tickets
The pre-performance lecture is free. Tickets for Spanish Harlem Orchestra are $32 with discounts for Seniors (62+), children (0-12), and groups (20+). Tickets are available online at modlin.richmond.edu or by phone at (804) 289-8980.
Box Office Hours
The Modlin Center Box Office is open from 10am-5pm weekdays and 90 minutes prior to most ticketed performances. Questions? Please visit the Modlin Center Box Office, call (804) 289-8980, or email modlinarts@richmond.edu.
About the Modlin Center for the Arts
The Modlin Center for the Arts, which opened in 1996, features state-of-the-art performance venues, galleries, studios, and classrooms. Praised as “a work of art itself” by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the 165,000-square-foot facility is home to the departments of Art and Art History, Music, and Theatre and Dance.
The Modlin Center for the Arts presents more than 40 world-class performing arts events as part of the ModlinArts series, five productions presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance and the University Players and Dancers, and another 23 music performances as part of the Department of Music’s annual free concert series. Many of the events presented at the Modlin Center feature an academic component designed specifically for Richmond students. These activities, which are free and open to the public, include master classes and lecture demonstrations, as well as pre-concert and exhibition lectures.
