MUSIC TO MY EARS

By ROSALBA ROLÓN

– The BRONX is synonymous with MUSIC. It has been so for decades. And come March, we at Pregones/PRTT are turning up the volume on the musical tradition of The Bronx. Once again MARCH IS MUSIC gathers music ensembles and bands with a broad range of musical offerings. They will share our Bronx stage right here in The Bronx, in The County of Music. And to spice it all up – yes! there’s more! – MARCH IS MUSIC will host an entire afternoon of new works by theater and dance artists who approach their work through the lens of music.

Committed to a dynamic combination of musical genres and experiences for our audience,  Associate Artistic Director Alvan Colón Lespier has curated MARCH IS MUSIC since its inception 10 years ago. More than 300 local, national and international artists have performed in our Series.

What does it take to deliver the MARCH IS MUSIC goods each year? For starters, take a look at the ingredients that fuel our Season each year: “the power of drama, the passion of music, the force of dance”. We draw from these notions that, whether separately or combined, inspire and influence our artistic choices season after season.

And once again: IT’S TIME TO FACE THE MUSIC!

MARCH IS MUSIC 2018’s scorching lineup includes:

ARTURO O’FARRILL SEXTET – An evening of sizzling, inventive Afro-Latin Jazz under the direction of Arturo O’Farrill, star composer and pianist.  We’re ready for a virtuosic performance by the Maestro and his seasoned Sextet.

REMOJO –  Behind-the-scenes look at new works in development.  Featuring selections from Cuba-NY-CA musical WE HAVE IRÉ, written by Paul S. Flores, in-progress showings from pianist Desmar Guevara, singer/actor Flaco Navaja, choreographer/ dancer Milteri Tucker, and more! This can’t-miss musical edition of Remojo celebrates work by artists and cultural activists as part of new Stage Garden Rumba initiative | FREE

MANTRA PERCUSSION – Pregones/PRTT once again partners with the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series for a FREE evening of extraordinary new music!

YASSER TEJEDA & PALOTRÉ is Afro-Dominican Rock & Funk like no other! A fusion of traditional folk music from DR with jazz, rock, funk, blues and Caribbean beats

PAPO VÁZQUEZ QUARTET – Trombone powerhouse Papo Vázquez leads a top-notch band flaunts Papo’s trademark style. This time around he injects a high dose of Latin Jazz energy into the demanding and a much revered classic: the Goldberg Variations. Commissioned by Pregones in 2016, and newly released in digital/CD formats by Pícaro Records.

ADAM JACKSON, TEEN PRODIGY Born in the UK, 13-year old piano prodigy Adam Jackson and his family moved to the U.S. when he was 7, and became one of the youngest Hoff Barthelson Music School students ever to be placed in the Honors Program.

RUBÍ ROCK & ROLL NEOYORQUINO Vocalist José Joaquín García, Puerto Rican from Loisaida, and composer/rhythm guitarist Jesse Alexander Myerson, Jewish kid from Washington Heights, take the stage with a straight up Rock & Roll Neoyorquino tribute to legendary Puerto Rican singer DAVILITA, born Pedro Ortiz Dávila.

ENSEMBLE SUITE IBERIA –100 Years of Spanish Dance!  Paul Jared Newman, guitar; Deirdre Towers, dance and castanets; Nelson Ojeda Valdés, piano; and Brian Ford, violin— are champions and lovers of the music, traditions, culture, and history of Spain and the Américas.

INT’L CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE & UPBEAT NYC – Pregones/PRTT and 5BMF/Five Boroughs Music Festival partner to present renowned International Contemporary Ensemble with South Bronx-based UpBeat NYC youth ensemble. The outcome of mentorship and experimentation between seasoned and emerging musicians result in this exciting repertoire, reflective of a diversity of musical heritage from around the world.

BUT WAIT!! THERE’S MORE!

Want Tkts? It’s Easy! :  https://pregonesprtt.org/events/march-is-music-2018/

Want heads up on the variety of the amazing MIM lineup? Here are links to samples of their work:

Arturo O’Farrill:  http://bit.ly/2CRFZ6e

Mantra Percussion:  http://bit.ly/2FfUq9m

Yesser Tejeda & Paltoré: http://bit.ly/2oBIyoN

Papo Vázquez:  http://bit.ly/2F5Xy8H

Adam Jackson: http://bit.ly/2HYvoKi

Rubi Rock & Roll Neoyorkino:  http://bit.ly/2oABTuN

Ensemble Suite Iberia:  http://bit.ly/2CVbVH2

International Contemporary Ensemble & UpBeat NYC: http://bit.ly/2HWM3hJ