Category: music

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Dafnis Prieto Sextet

Prieto’s arrival in the U.S. from Cuba has been compared to an asteroid hitting New York. Indeed, within a short period of time Dafnis Prieto’s revolutionary drumming techniques have had a powerful impact on both the Latin and jazz music scene, locally and internationally. He exhibits a forceful yet flexible sense of groove, derived from traditions of Afro-Caribbean hand percussion but also informed by polyrhythmic post-bop.

Funded in part by the Expeditions program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies.

Thursday, October 22
Bowker Auditorium 7:30 PM
$25, $15, Five College/GCC/STCC students and Youth 17 and under: $15

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Orquestra de São Paulo with Dame Evelyn Glennie

When the internationally renowned Orquestra de São Paulo, one of Brazil’s most celebrated classical musical ensembles, returns to the United States it will tour with one of the most important young rising star conductors in the United States, 29-year-old Kazem Abdullah. The highlight of the tour will be the world premier of a new percussion concerto by Brazilian composer Marlos Nobre, which the Orquestra has commissioned for the extraordinary percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie.

Funding provided by the Vidda Foundation and members of the Fine Arts Center’s Orchestra Circle.

Sunday, October 18
Concert Hall 7:00 PM
$40, $30, $15, Five College/GCC/STCC students and Youth 17 and under: $15

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Dave Pietro: Chakra Suite

It’s the newest “hot spot” for jazz! Top of the Campus with spellbinding alto saxophone master Dave Pietro. Kick back and enjoy the scene as Pietro blends aspects of Brazilian, East Indian and American jazz music in a flavorful composition based upon the Chakra system. Noted band members include Rez Abbasi, guitars, sitar; Gary Versace, keys; Johannes Weidenmeuller, bass; Adam Cruz, drums; and Todd Isler, percussion.

Friday, October 3, 8:00 PM
Top of the Campus: Marriott Center
$15; Five College Students and Youth 17 and under $7

Go go go! How could you say no to something so wonderful such as a saxophonist! I know I can’t! See you there! Leave a comment if you’ve ever seen Dave Pietro in action or intend on going! It shall be a great show! Be a critic! Be a fan!

Let’s go globe-hopping!

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Upcoming events

AmericAura officially opens today, Monday, December 3rd at the Hampden Gallery here at the lovely UMass Amherst Campus. It’s “an exhibition of contemporary works on paper by fifty U.S. artists addressing the notion of national identity. The group includes emerging and professional artists, and enables the diversity of ethnic, racial, gender, philosophical, and political views to shine!” Go! Have fun!

And after having fun at the Hampden Gallery, why not visit the Augusta Savage Gallery? Their new exhibit just opened as well called “the the the is” and it’s “An installation inspired by John Coltrane, the shape of broccoli, Jean Micheal Basquiat, and Mohandas K. Ghandi.” It’s only here until December 7th to catch it before it goes!

Anyone interested in jazz, saxophones, music and/or is free Wednesday night on December 5th at 8:15pm should attend the Fred Anderson/Chad Taylor Duo concert happening at Bezanson Recital Hall. General tickets are ten bucks and students are FIVE! It’s practically a steal because where else can you hear live jazz saxophone music for five to ten bucks with Fred Anderson and Chad Taylor. “Fred Anderson is a commanding tenor saxophonist, and a leader of Chicago’s jazz community for over 30 years. Percussionist Chad Taylor formed the Chicago Underground Ensemble with Rob Mazurek in 1996, has worked with Peter Brotzmann, Leroy Jenkins and Joe McPhee, and is part of Chicago’s post-rock scene, where he has collaborated with Brokeback, Mouse on Mars, StereoLab, Tortoise and Jim O’Rourke.”

Take advantage of what the Fine Arts Center has to offer and enjoy yourself in this holiday season.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

The film called Little Red Flowers is playing at School of Management Room 137 on Wednesday, December 5, 7:00 pm. It’s in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. “A defiant kindergartener in 1950s Beijing refuses to conform in this effective and naturalistically acted cultural allegory.”

The art galleries hold their monthly Amherst Art Walk/UMass Art Hop on
Thursday, December 6 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

And, don’t forget to grab tickets for Cherish the Ladies for Wednesday, December 12 at the Concert Hall at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $35, $25, $15; Five College Students $15, $10, $7; Youth 17 and under $12. If you want to hear a sample: click . here

Have a wonderful week and stay safe on those icy streets.

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Jazz, salsa and a girl rock band

What more could you ever want in the middle of the week? If you don’t know what you’re doing tomorrow night, have no fear; the Fine Arts Center is here! This Wednesday is quite merry! For those of you who don’t know, the Roswell Rudd/Mark Dresser Duo comes to UMass tomorrow night serending audiences with their music brilliance.

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Dresser “may be the most important bassist to emerge since 1980 in jazz or classical music.” This event is held at the Bezanson Recital Hall at 8:15pm. Student tickets cost $5 and general tickets are $10.

However, if that doesn’t suit your mood, why not go to a salsa dance party at the free Community Salsa Party?!? The party’s at Open Square in Holyoke, Wednesday, October 17th from 7-11pm.

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Music will be provided by Combo Sabroso, a Boston-based band that follows in the traditions of Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente with a mix of jazz and dance rhythms.

AND… yes, there’s more. If you just want to just chill and relax, we have an event for you. Every Wednesday, Asian Arts and Culture presents foreign films from around the world. This week, the film called ‘Linda! Linda! Linda!’ will be screened in the School of Management in room 137 at 7:00 pm.

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Director Nobuhiro Yamashita tells a story of a shy exchange student living in Japan who becomes a vocalist in a girl rock band. The film will be in Japanese with English subtitles. Come and watch ‘Linda! Linda! Linda!’ It’s open and free for the public!

So, there, that’s what’s coming up for just this Wednesday! You can’t be bored and I’ve given you three reasons why.

As always, if you need more information the Fine Arts Center site have heaps and heaps of information all there for your convenience.

I also welcome any comments if you have any! Have a wonderful week! Go Red Sox! I might just have to miss the game with all this is going on!