MDC to Launch Latin Jazz Institute at its Kendall Campus
New music program further cements College as the region’s cultural hub
MDC professor and Grammy nominee Ed Calle jams with renowned flautist Nestor Torres
Miami, Friday, August 08, 2008 - Through its renowned School of Community Education based at Kendall Campus, Miami Dade College (MDC) is launching the Miami Dade College Latin Jazz Institute. A midday Latin Jazz Jam will be the site of a press conference Wed., Sept. 10, 2008, at noon, at the Kendall Campus’ Student Union Building Coffeehouse Patio to officially inaugurate the Institute. Its mission is to educate, explore, foster, preserve and celebrate the styles, traditions and artistry of Latin jazz music and musicians in partnership with the diverse and talented music community around the globe.
The Miami Dade College Latin Jazz Institute will offer master workshops and seminars, music business courses, student workshops, symposia and conferences, and concerts. The first concert will be the Second Annual Latin Jazz Festival to be held at the Kendall Campus the evening of November 21, 2008.
Taught by renowned Latin Jazz musicians, many of whom are Latin Grammy winners or nominees, master workshops and seminars will include the Evolution of Latin Jazz, Basic Elements of Latin Jazz Composition, Latin Jazz Styles and Rhythms, Percussion in Latin Jazz, Rhythms in Latin Jazz, Improvisation in Latin Jazz and much more.
In addition to master workshops covering aspects of performance,, the Institute will offer courses dealing with the business perspective of Latin Jazz including Music Business Overview, Music and Copyrights, How to Succeed as a Solo Artist, and Promotions and Booking Agents and others.
Student workshops, planned for next year, will also be an important part of what the Miami Dade College Latin Jazz Institute will offer to the community. College, high school and middle school students will be able to understand the role of la clave in Latin Jazz, as they have the opportunity to jam with major recording artists in workshops sponsored by community businesses and organizations in partnership with Miami Dade College.
In addition, symposia and conferences will become a major part of the Institute, with the “Future of the Recording Industry” Symposium and Conference being planned for 2009. This first-of-its-kind event will bring together the musicians and the recording companies to discuss challenges and look into the future of the recording industry.
The Second Annual Latin Jazz Festival on Friday, November 21, 2008, will feature major Latin Jazz musicians including Ed Calle, Nestor Torres, Jon Secada, Richard Bravo, Roberto Perera, and Negroni’s Trio among others. The Latin Jazz Festival will take place at the Kendall Campus where, in 2007, a standing-room-only audience celebrated the rhythms of Latin jazz at the inaugural Latin Jazz Festival.
“Where better to have this important music hub than within the South Florida community, where the music, recording and entertainment industries continue experiencing major growth?” said Dr. Gregory Gray, president of the Kendall Campus at Miami Dade College. “And, where better than at Miami Dade College, an institution which educates and inspires more people than any other in the nation.”
- WHAT: News conference and Jazz Jam, featuring Ed Calle and other jazz greats, for inaugaration of new Miami Dade College Latin Jazz Institute
- WHEN: Wednesday, Sep. 10, 12:00 PM
- WHERE: Kendall Campus, Student Union Building Coffeehouse Patio, 11011 SW 104 Street
- COST: Free
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu