Villalobos Brothers
May 26, 2023 @ 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Union Episcopal Church
Join us for the Grammy-winning Villalobos Brothers as they perform their original music that fuses Mexican folk with jazz and classical traditions. We suggest registering for tickets in advance for this show to ensure you will have seats for this incredible opportunity to hear these artists in the excellent acoustic space at Union Church. Tickets for this event are sliding scale, pay what you can. Student tickets are free. Offered live in person and live-streamed/on demand.
The Villalobos Brothers are a Grammy-winning family band, that has been acclaimed as one of today’s leading Contemporary Mexican ensembles. Their original compositions and arrangements masterfully fuse and celebrate the richness of Mexican folk music with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music. The ensemble’s virtuosic performances have delighted audiences throughout Latin America, India, Russia, Canada, and over 30 states across the USA. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Latin Grammy Awards, Davies Symphony Hall, Montreal Jazz Festival, the Ford Theatre in Hollywood, the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations, the New Victory Theatre on Broadway, San Jose Jazz Fest, Celebrate Brooklyn, the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City, the Blue Note Jazz Festival, the Apollo Theatre and many more. In 2018, they joined forces with Arturo O’Farrill, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and the “Colectivo Conga Patria” for the “Fandango at the Wall” project. This ambitious undertaking, produced by Kabir Sehgal, united legendary international musicians for a live concert at the Tijuana-San Diego border wall which resulted in a live album and documentary film by HBO Max. In February 2023 the album “Fandango At The Wall Live in NYC” won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album of the year. The Villalobos Brothers recently premiered their Symphonic Project, performing sold-out concerts with the San Francisco Symphony, Sun Valley Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, Yakima Symphony, and Sun Valley Symphony Orchestras. The ensemble has collaborated with legendary musicians including Grammy winners Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Antonio Sánchez, Regina Carter, Eduardo Magallanes, Dan Zanes, and Ana Tijoux. The Villalobos Brothers are on tour, delivering a powerful message of love, brotherhood, and social justice. Their albums “Aliens of Extraordinary Abilities” and “Somos” are available on all digital platforms.
Jose Lezcano, guitar: A benefit for the Claremont Creative Center
June 3, 2023 @ 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Union Episcopal Church
Grammy nominated guitarist, and friend of WCCMA, José Lezcano performs during this benefit concert for the Claremont Creative Center, featuring works by Lezcano and more. Guest Melissa Richmond joins him. The program will explore great classical and comtemporary works, including works by Lezcano himself. All proceeds go to benefit the Claremotn Creative Center Homecoming Campaign. Live in person and virtual/streamed online.
Tickets for this event include special refreshments. Recommended donation: $25 per person, $40 per couple, and $45 per family.
Included in your ticket: following the performance you will have a chance to meet the artists and enjoy light appetizers and sweets.
“Jose Lezcano … is a superb guitarist as well as a first-rate composer and arranger.” – New Millennium Guitar
As Professor Emeritus of Music at Keene State College, Dr. José Lezcano coordinates the guitar program, and teaches applied guitar, guitar orchestra, and courses in Latin American music. He recently retired from his full-time tenured position of Professor of Music after 30 years in the department, but continues to teach classes as a Lecturer. During Spring ’22, he served as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Liberal Arts at the University of Morris, Minnesota. In Fall 2022, he starts a new assignment as Artist Lecturer in Guitar at the University of Southern Maine (Gorham) while continuing to teach at Keene State. His guitar students have been frequent winners of the Keene State’s highest awards and scholarships. He has been a frequent guest artist at numerous chamber music series in New England, including Apple Hill, Electric Earth, Wisteria, Portland Chamber Music Festival, and Athaneum concerts in Portsmouth, NH. As a twice Grammy-nominated guitarist / composer (in two categories: “Best Contemporary Composition” and “Best soloist with orchestra) Dr. José Lezcano has captivated audiences on four continents. In programs of Spanish, South American and original works, he has appeared in major venues and festivals, including Carnegie Recital Hall, the NYC North-South Consonance Series, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Spain, Portugal, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, China, Germany, Crete, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic as recitalist, collaborative artist, and concerto soloist. Described by Fanfare Magazine as “an excellent guitarist as well as an imaginative composer,” Jose has earned numerous professional recognitions, including first prize in the MTNA National Guitar Competition, the NHSAC Individual Artist Fellowship, NHMTA Composer of the Year (twice), KSC Distinguished Research Award, and a Fulbright Award to Ecuador. In 2016 he received an Ewing Arts Award from the Keene Sentinel, in recognition of his international performing and teaching career, and contributions to the arts in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. Dr. Lezcano earned degrees from Peabody Conservatory (BM), University of South Carolina (MM), and Florida State University (Ph.D., Music Theory).
Sing with us! Good for singers of all levels and backgrounds. Be a part of a new music making and learning experience right here in Claremont. Our next drop in meeting is tonight at 7:00pm. Contact us: [email protected]
