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CLAURE-VILLAVERDE PIANO DUO TO PERFORM LATIN AMERICAN PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON INTERNATIONAL PIANO SERIES

CLAURE-VILLAVERDE PIANO DUO TO PERFORM LATIN AMERICAN PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON INTERNATIONAL PIANO SERIES

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Husband and wife, Latin American pianists William Villaverde and Fabiana Claure will perform “A Piano Journey Through Latin America” for the third concert of the College of Charleston International Piano Series’ 31st Season. Works will include Bolivian Cuecas, Brazilian tangos, Cuban classical and jazz-inspired music, an original Latin-jazz composition, and a four-hands piano arrangement of Piazzolla’s Tango Suite. The performance will also highlight works by Cervantes, Roncal, and Villaverde, among others and will include piano solos, piano duos for four hands, and a paraphrase on “Manteca” for duo pianos. Having been together for 24 years as a couple and on stage, this dynamic duo will engage audiences through piano music and storytelling, taking them through an exciting journey of diverse cultural influences, historical context, and musical reflection. The Claure-Villaverde Piano Duo has earned praise from musicians and critics alike and are no strangers to Charleston, having both graduated from the College in 2004.

The concert will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at 7:30 p.m., in the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through the George Street Box Office online, at the door, by emailing gsbo@cofc.edu, or by calling (843) 953-4726. FREE admission for College of Charleston students and employees, as well as youth (18 and under). Free tickets must be secured ahead of the concert by emailing or visiting the box office. Patrons can find info and ticket links at go.cofc.edu/ips.

Villaverde and Claure have been together since 1997 and have pursued their careers both as soloists and duo pianists throughout the United States, Bolivia, Cuba and Spain. As the Claure-Villaverde piano duo, they have been featured as soloists with Meadows Chamber Orchestra at Southern Methodist University (Dallas) and the International Piano Series Chamber Orchestra (Charleston, S.C). They were the national recipients of the 2010 College Music Society’s Yamaha In-Residence Fellowship where they organized and performed in a series of lecture-recitals for children, college students and senior citizens in Miami. They co-wrote an article describing their concert series which was published in the Society’s May newsletter.

They recorded a duo-piano sonata which was released in the album “Serenader: Songs and a Sonata by Celius Dougherty” (2007). As entrepreneurs, they co-wrote a business plan which was awarded second prize, best written business plan, and best entrepreneurial spirit award in the 2011 University of Miami Business Plan Competition. They co-founded Superior Academy of Music in Miami. Their Academy was featured twice on national television, and its students have gone on to win local and state certificates of excellence and have also entered universities under full tuition scholarships. Claure and Villaverde have pursued all their degrees together under full tuition scholarships. They hold Doctorates in Music in Piano Performance from the University of Miami, Masters of Music and Artist Certificate Degrees from Southern Methodist University, Bachelor of Arts in Music from the College of Charleston, and Professional Degrees as Pianists and Piano Teachers from the National School of Music, Cuba.

View a 5-minute promo video of “A Piano Journey Through Latin-America.” More artist information is online at fabianaclaure.com and williamvillaverde.com.

 

Video Samples of Claure Solo Piano:

Brazilian Tango “Fon-Fon” by Ernesto Nazareth

Bolivian Cueca “La Huerfana Virginia” by Simeon Roncal

 

Video Samples of Villaverde Solo Piano:

Cuban classical and jazz-inspired piece “Variaciones sobre un Tema de Pablo Milianes” by Andres Alen

Jazz-inspired concert etude by Nicholas Kapustin

 

Duo Video Samples:

Paraphrase on Dizzy Gillespie’s “Manteca” by Nicholas Kapustin

Piazzolla Tangos

MAVIS STAPLES

MAVIS STAPLES

Tickets to Mavis Staples will go on sale to the public on Friday, September 8, beginning at 11am.

Mavis Staples is living, breathing history. She is an alchemist of American music, having continuously crossed genre lines like no musician since Ray Charles. Weaving herself into the very fabric of gospel, soul, folk, pop, R&B, blues, rock, and hip hop over the last 60 years, this iconic singer has seen and sung through so many changes, always rising up to meet every road.

Now in her seventh decade, with the release of her new albumLivin’ on a High Note (ANTI-), she is only gaining momentum. Produced by M. Ward with songs by Neko Case, Justin Vernon, Nick Cave, Ben Harper, Tune-Yards, Aloe Blacc and others, the album serves as a summation and furtherance of her illustrious career. Refusing to fade away, she continues to tour incessantly, remaining as vital, engaged, and true as always. There is no persona; she is, simply and untouchable, Mavis—and Livin’ on a High Note is the symphony of her life.

CABARET

CABARET
The Jill and John Chalsty Broadway Series

CABARET

Based on Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony Award®-winning production, SAM MENDES (Skyfall, American Beauty) and ROB MARSHALL’S (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films), CABARET comes to the Charleston Gaillard Center.

Welcome to the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd –and to leave their troubles outside. But as life in pre-WWII Germany grows more and more uncertain, will the decadent allure of Berlin nightlife be enough to get them through their dangerous times?

Series tickets on sale now! 

Pink Martini

Pink Martini

BAKER MOTOR COMPANY
Spotlight Performance Featuring

PINK MARTINI

Featuring China Forbes

Drawing inspiration from music all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Thomas Lauderdale founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994 to provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks.

One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate who was living in New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together. Their first song “Sympathique” became an overnight sensation in France, was nominated for “Song of the Year” at France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards, and to this day remains a mantra (“Je ne veux pas travailler” or “I don’t want to work”) for striking French workers.

Twenty years later, Pink Martini still tours the world, singing in 22 languages at opera houses, concert halls, film festivals, museums, and fashion shows. In 2014, Pink Martini was inducted into both the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Featuring a dozen musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America.

Charleston Jazz Festival: Kenny G

Charleston Jazz Festival: Kenny G

Tickets to Kenny G will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, August 29, beginning at 11am.

The 4th Annual Charleston Jazz Festival welcomes Kenny G to the Gaillard Center. In a recording career that spans almost three decades and 23 albums, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny G has grafted elements of R&B, Pop and Latin to a jazz foundation solidifying his reputation as the premiere artist in contemporary jazz. Since the early ‘80s, his combination of unparalleled instrumental chops and indelible melodies has resulted in sales of more than 75 million records worldwide (45 million in the US alone) and more than a dozen climbs to the top of Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart. Kenny G has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business during his legendary career, ranging from Michael Bolton to Weezer to Whitney Houston to Katy Perry. In 2015, Kenny G released his fourteenth studio album Brazilian Nights on Concord Records. The ten-song set, Kenny’s tribute to the ‘masters’ of Bossa Nova, is a mixture of classics and Kenny G originals.

Proceeds from ticket sales help create scholarships for the new Charleston Jazz Academy, which is part of Charleston Jazz, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

GERSHWIN AND BERNSTEIN TAKE NEW YORK AND TONIGHT, TONIGHT GALA

GERSHWIN AND BERNSTEIN TAKE NEW YORK AND TONIGHT, TONIGHT GALA
Gershwin and Bernstein Take New York

Leah Edwards, soprano
Paul Sanchez, piano
Yuriy Bekker, principal pops conductor

George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein captured New York City’s essence and became the iconic musical voices of their time. The CSO is joining orchestras around the world to celebrate Bernstein’s Centennial this season with his Overture to Candide, West Side Story Suite No. 1, and Symphonic Dances. We will then join forces with College of Charleston piano professor, Paul Sánchez, to perform Gershwin’s popular jazz classic, Rhapsody in Blue.

 

Tonight, Tonight, Annual Fundraising Gala

Presented by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, Inc

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Thursday, January 18, 2018
5:30-6:30pm Pre-Concert Cocktail Reception
7:00-8:30pm Gershwin and Bernstein Take New York*
8:30-10:30pm Tonight, Tonight, Gala with silent auction in Grand Ballroom

$165 per person
*(Includes admission to pre-concert cocktail reception and Tonight, Tonight Gala. Tickets to performance of Gershwin and Bernstein Take New York not included and sold separately)

Join the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, Inc. as we continue a magical evening in celebration of the CSO and the music of Bernstein and Gershwin. Enjoy festive foods reminiscent of the streets and neighborhoods of New York City, while mingling with patrons and musicians and browsing unique silent auction items in the Grand Ballroom of the Gaillard Center. A limited and exclusive live auction of select items of interest will cap this very special event. It won’t be just any night….

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock

Now in the sixth decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. In addition to being recognized as a legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s – with record-breaking albums such as “Headhunters” – that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. “Rockit” and “Future Shock” marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period he also continued to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P., which included ex-Miles Davis bandmates Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams.

In honor of his work, Hancock was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2016. Hancock is currently in the studio at work on a new album.

26th Annual Latin American Festival

26th Annual Latin American Festival

Experience sensational sounds and vibrant performances at the Latin American Festival, Sunday, Oct. 15 at Wannamaker County Park! This 26th annual event celebrates Latin American music, dance, art, food and children’s activities and is highlighted by amazing performances inspired by culture from around the globe.

All ages are invited to come groove to live Latin music from six-piece band Sharey & su grupo Klave from 12 – 1 p.m. The high energy Bakalao Stars will bring Latin Ska music to the stage from 2 – 3 p.m., and guests will end the day dancing along with the 12-piece horn group Orquesta Mayor from 4:30 – 6 p.m.

Charleston Jazz Festival: HEATHER RICE & FRIENDS

A dynamic jazz singer and songwriter, Heather Rice delivers color and beauty with her passionate and versatile voice. Her recent CD release, ‘Fingers’, pays tribute to Airto Moreira and features Drifters member, Charlie Thomas. Heather will be joined on stage by Lee Barbour – Guitar, Jonathon Lovett – Piano, Brett Belanger – Bass, Adam Ray – Drums.

Charleston Jazz Festival: FRIDAY JAZZ JAM! FEATURING CAMERON HANDEL & FRIENDS

Cameron Handel is an extremely versatile trumpet player and singer who performs regularly with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. She has also toured with Michael Bolton and performed with Adele. Jazz lovers will absolutely love this night of fun. Jazz musicians, bring your instrument and jam with Cameron and the band! Admission is free.