2008-2009 Concert Season

Sunday Matinee Series

Complete List of concerts

See pictures from the concert.
Sammy Figueroa
LATIN JAZZ PERCUSSIONIST
 Friday, September 12, 2008 – 7:30 PM

Musical Excursions is excited to present two-time Grammy® nominated percussionist Sammy Figueroa as the Grand Opening concert for the 2008-2009 International Concert Series. Legendary percussionist Sammy Figueroa is considered to be one of the great musicians of the world. He has played with jazz legendaries, such as Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins. Figueroa has recorded and performed with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Celine Dion, Blues Traveler, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, and countless other pop, R&B, and jazz stars. In addition to his virtuosity on various percussion instruments, Figueroa is known for his warm personality and ebullient humor.  Figueroa will be performing with his band, the Latin Jazz Explosion, one of the most dynamic and inventive Latin jazz groups around. Latin Jazz Explosion released its first album in 2006, “…And Sammy Walked In”, which received a Grammy® Nomination in 2006 for Best Latin Jazz Album. The six-member band consists of: Silvano Monasterios, keyboard; Gabriel Vivas, bass; Alexander Pope Norris, trumpet; John Michalak, saxophone; Goetz Kujack, drums; and Sammy Figueroa, percussion. Join us for a night of exciting Latin jazz at its best!

On his new album. “The Magician, percussionist Sammy Figueroa advances a bright ideal of Latin Jazz.”  -- The New York Times

See pictures from their UNO rehearsal and concert.
The Aulos Ensemble
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 – 7:30 PM     

Formed in 1973 by five graduates of the Juilliard School, the Aulos Ensemble was at the forefront of a movement that has captured the imagination of the American listening public.  The group's artistic intelligence, based on informed scholarly insight, along with an uncompromising standard of excellence, has resulted in invitations from virtually all of America’s major chamber music presenters.  Its performances have helped to create a new appreciation of the rich rewards of original instrument performance and have earned admiration from America’s most respected critics, who call Aulos concerts “scintillating,” “virtuosic,” “rare and delightful,” and “authentic baroque performance at its best.” 

“The players of New York’s Aulos Ensemble were fluid singers all, their lines never losing clarity or shape, always sounding flexible and spontaneous. This was authentic Baroque performance at its best.”  -- The New York Times

See pictures from the rehearsal and concert.
Mikhail Simonyan, Russian Violinist
Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 PM

Simonyan will be accompanied by pianist, Alexei Podkorytov, 
and his program will include works by Schnittke, Prokofiev, Grieg and Ravel.

Critical Acclaim:
"a flawless, liquid line and ravishing tone."
– The Washington Post
"the poise, perfection, and inner-burning fire of a master like
David Oistrakh – in his prime, on a good night."
– The Miami Herald

Alam Kahn – (Indian)
ALAM KHAN ON SARODE
DEBORIYO SARKAR ON TABLA
MANIK KHAN ON TANPURA
Friday, November 21, 2008 – 7:30 PM

See pictures from the rehearsal and concert.

Alam Khan comes from an impressive pedigree of extraordinary musicians dating back to the 16th century. Taking the family legacy seriously, Alam learned a craft that takes 12 years to begin to understand, and considerably more years to master. Sarode is a tradition that dates back to the 16th century musician Ustad Wazir Khan, court musician of Emporer Akbar. Sarode has been handed down through an unbroken chain of musicians, most of which were family. Alam began his journey to master sarode at age 13, when he enrolled in an independent high school so he could direct his energy towards classical music training and touring with his father, Swara Samrat Ali Akbar Khan. Alam is accompanied by Debopryo Sarkar, tabla; and Manik Khan, tempura. Please join us for this truly remarkable performance by masters of their crafts!

Hot Club of San Francisco (Gypsy Jazz)
See pictures from this gig.
Monday, January 26, 2009 – 7:30 PM

“One of the most cohesive and entertaining gypsy swing bands in the U.S.”  -- San Francisco Chronicle

The Hot Club of San Francisco is an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Hot Club de France. The ensemble borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club, but breathes new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions. Hearing the ensemble live, or on any of their ten albums, carries the listener back to the 1930’s and to the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris or the refined lounges of the famous Hotel Ritz. Often called gypsy jazz, the music of The Hot Club of San Francisco has entranced audiences around the globe for over 10 years. From festivals in Mexico and France to concert halls across North America, The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps this historic music fresh and alive.

UpBeat Brass
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 – 7:30 PM
See pictures from this event.

Scott Belck, trumpet with UPBEAT BRASS, is Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Capital University's Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio where he teaches the trumpet studio, coaches chamber music, (performs with the Capital Brass Quintet and Spectrum, the faculty jazz enemble.)  He has served as trumpet and cornet soloist with the Air Force Band of Flight in Dayton, Ohio where he was also musical director for the Air Force Night Flight Jazz Ensemble.
Matt James, saxophone with UPBEAT BRASS, is Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies, and also director of jazz ensembles and instructor of saxophone, saxophone ensembles, jazz theory and jazz arranging at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Matt also performed as lead alto saxophonist on tour with the Phil Collins Big Band. His freelance work has included performances with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Mel Torme, the Temptations, Rosemary Clooney, Jim Nabors, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Four Freshmen, Toledo Symphony, the Ohio Valley Symphony and many others. He has performed as a soloist at national and regional conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance, and is a founding member of the Athenian Saxophone Quartet.
Jaime Morales-Matos, trombone with UPBEAT BRASS, is Assistant Professor of Trombone at Miami University in Oxford, OH. Jaime has wide-ranging experience as a trombonist, performing as assistant principal trombone with the Cincinnati Symphony in 1995, and as current (since 1993) principal trombonist with the Lexington (Kentucky) Philharmonic. He has also played with the Casals Festival Orchestra, the Florida Music Festival Orchestra, and the Dayton Philharmonic. He has performed solos with several orchestras, including the Puerto Rico Symphony (twice), and has extensive chamber music experience, performing with the Gabrieli Brass Quintet since 1988.Francis Wyatt, percussion with UPBEAT BRASS, is an 11 year veteran of the United States Air Force, where he performed in every musical ensemble at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. His work as a Jazz percussionist includes performing and touring with Joe Henderson, Conrad Herwig, Tony Dumas, & George Mraz. 
Norlan Bewley, Low Brass Artist (trombone, euphonium, tuba), is the founder and composer/arranger for UPBEAT BRASS. A former student and longtime professional colleague of Harvey Phillips, he serves as Associate Director of Phillips’ tuba ensembles and projects, including TUBACHRISTMAS.

Jonita Lattimore, soprano
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 – 7:30 PM

Jonita Lattimore, a lyric soprano of immense vocal range and expressive musicality, has garnered plaudit for her vivid portrayals of roles ranging from Micaela to Jackie O, as well as oratorio performances with major orchestras across the United States and abroad. John von Rhein from the Chicago Tribune calls Lattimore’s soprano a "richly upholstered voice with secure line and coloratura." She "is surely destined for great things."  Her latest CD, Only Heaven, a collaboration of five singers, was called "the most distinctive music heard all season" by USA Today.  A native of Chicago, Lattimore has performed with great orchestras around the globe, including the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Please join us for a memorable performance by Lattimore at the University of New Orleans!
“Soprano Jonita Lattimore found the redemptive heart of the music in a solo part that began with repeated invocations of the word “sorrow” and rose through vaulting melodic fights to end with “comfort.”  -- Chris Waddington, The Times-Picayune

All Musical Excursions concerts are presented in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at the University of New Orleans.

General Admission: $24.00 UNO Faculty/Students & Senior Citizens: $12.00 

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Department of Music at 504-280-6789or e-mail us at musicalexcursions@uno.edu

Tickets for individual concerts are available at the box office and advance purchases are encouraged.

Updated September 8,, 2008