Warwick Academy To Host Evening Of Jazz
Warwick Academy is the place to be this weekend for the best of Bermuda Jazz, as they are hosting two guest Jazz musicians, Mr. Derrick Gardner and Mr. Albert Rivera.
They will be playing with the Warwick Academy Jazz Band at the sold out Gala night on Saturday [Feb 21] along with Bermuda Jazz Musicians Toni Barri, Stan Gilbert and Ronnie Lopes. The saxophone portion of the evening is dedicated to the late Dr. Neil Bernie who tragically died last year.
Left to right front row: Philippe Miranthis, Albert Rivera, Theo Wolffe. Back Row: Derrick Gardner
A spokesperson said, “The evening is sponsored by Costas Miranthis and Partner Re along with a generous benefactor who appreciates the dedication of Head of Music Kent Hayward and the talent of the Warwick Academy student musicians.
“In addition Warwick Academy will be hosting other schools today for workshops with Derrick and Albert so all of Bermuda get to take advantage of the skills and expertise these musicians bring to the Island.
“Jazz trumpeter, Derrick Gardner has an extraordinary, creative natural talent and her quickly made his mark upon arriving on the New York jazz scene in 1991. There he began a top-flight career that has taken him around the world performing internationally with the Count Basie Orchestra, [1991-present], Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Band, Harry Connick Jr.’s Big Band, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Swiss tenor player Roman Schwaller’s European Sextet. Among his performance locales are Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, South Africa and Thailand as well as many premiere venues in the United States.
“Over the last 18 years Derrick has worked with a tremendous litany of artists that include late Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Frank Foster, Jon Faddis, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Rufus Reid and Clark Terry just to name a few.
“Described by WNPR’s Owen McNally as “A Modern Jazz Messenger” Bronx born and raised saxophonist Albert Rivera got his introduction to jazz at LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts and continued his musical studies at the New School University Jazz and Contemporary Music Program. Since then he has toured extensively both nationally and internationally and stays active in New York venues like The Blue Note, Smalls, Zinc Bar, Cleopatra’s Needle, 55 Bar, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola and more.
“His love, passion and dedication for music has put him on stage with the who’s who in the industry including Junior Mance, Winard Harper, Claudio Roditi, Rachel Z, The Curtis Brothers and many others. Downbeat magazine called Albert and his band “part of the next wave in this jazz ritual.” He was selected as a 2012 Chamber Music America Residency Grant and a winner of the 2009 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award. “Back At It” will be his 3rd studio album scheduled to be released April of 2015.”
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