In Willie Martinez’s words, “La Familia Sextet's New York Style Latin Jazz is a perfect example of how the marriage of Afro-Caribbean rhythm and the harmonic structure and improvisational nature of American jazz continues to remain fresh, exhilarating, and timeless.”                                                                      

Jazz is a phenomenon of America. Its roots are derived from European harmony and African rhythmic rituals. Improvisation is key to jazz as the musicians individually express themselves and “speak” to each other through their instruments in solo spots as they react to the music. No two performances are exactly alike.

Add “Latin” to the mix and the vibrance of the music is enhanced by percussion instruments which originally intended to tell stories and communicate without words. Congas, timbales, claves, bongos are just a few examples.

Come at 7:30pm on Saturday, October 14 for a Latin Jazz concert that ranges from exciting in a loud, bright voice to soft and thoughtful as the story of Latin Jazz unfolds musically. The venue is the William and Helen Richards Theatre at Orange Hall. You may find yourself jiving in your seat or dancin’ in the aisles. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!                                                                                                     

The La Familia Sextet is comprised of Willie Martinez on drums and vocals, Renato Thoms on congas and percussion, Misha Tsiganov on piano, Jennifer Vincent on bass, Max Schweiger on baritone sax & flute, and J. Walter Hawkes on trombone.

Concert tickets are available online at http://sunyorange.edu/arts_comm/ticketing.shtml   with a $1.50 surcharge per ticket for credit cards. The box office opens at 6:30pm the evening of the performance. Admission (cash, check, credit card) is $10; all students are admitted FREE.

For additional information and questions, email Cultural Affairs at cultural@sunyorange.edu

Orange Hall and its adjacent free parking lot are located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview Avenues at GPS 24 Grandview Ave, Middletown.