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NYC Welcomes El Sistema From Venezuela's New Jazz Orchestra - Simon Bolivar Big Band Jazz

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October 31, 2011 to November 4, 2011

New York City welcomes Venezuela's world-renowned “El Sistema" Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz (SBBBJ) with a concert series of four performances from October 31, 2011—November 4, 2011. Led by Venezuelan percussionist, Andrés Briceño, the Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz will perform new and traditional big band repertoire during their historic, inaugural visit to the United States. This significant trip is a good-will tour by the SBBBJ-Venezuelan musicians, all of them products of the internationally-recognized “El Sistema," to share their model and introduce their premier 40-piece jazz orchestra. Serving as the official New York City host is musician Arturo O'Farrill, Founder and Artistic Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. The Series is proudly presented by diDIVISION Media.

This Event Series will be a rare chance to experience an international movement that promotes the “El Sistema" method of social organization and community development, which has transformed hundreds of thousands of children's lives globally. “El Sistema" is a government-funded organization, founded by maestro José Antonio Abreu, aimed at systematizing youth music education and promoting the collective practice of music through symphony orchestras and chorus.

The concert series launches on October 31 at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Harlem Stage will present the second night of the series at The Gatehouse on November 1, where legendary pianist, Arturo O'Farrill, will host the Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz. On November 3, the concert will be presented by Afro Latin Jazz Alliance at Casita Maria Center for the Arts & Education, hosted by Arturo O'Farrill. The Event Series will culminate with a VIP Reception and final performance presented by Banco Industrial de Venezuela and the Consulate General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela of New York at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, November 4 at 8pm. This concert is being generously presented as a gift to the New York community by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

In addition to the concert series, The Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz is also presenting an Education and Workshop Series in New York City. In collaboration with various music educators in New York City and in partnership with the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA), the orchestra will perform Day Youth Concerts that include the following institutions:

Beginning in Manhattan on Halloween, a student audience rehearsal at Jazz at Lincoln Center. In Harlem, Harlem Stage in partnership with A. Phillip Randolph High School will host a Day Youth Concert for nearly 1000 children welcoming students from P.S./I.S. 57 in partnership with 92nd Street Y, and P.S./I.S. 129 in partnership with the Harmony Program on Nov 1. In Queens, Midori & Friends in partnership with the JHS157 to a music student audience on Nov 2; The Urban Assembly Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists in partnership with the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and Casita Maria Center for the Arts & Education in the Bronx to an auditorium of 600 children on Nov 3.

The Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz Event Series is proudly produced and presented by Executive Producer, diDIVISION Media Productions. The Series was made possible by Official Partners: Afro Latin Jazz Alliance; LatinVision Media; and diDIVISION Media, and Official Supporter, AfroTaino Productions.

In the spirit of “El Sistema" and in order to engage communities throughout New York, many of the evening performances are free and open to the public. To reserve tickets, please visit the following links for the concert date of your interest.

Monday, October 31
Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Jazz at Lincoln Center at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm

Tuesday, November 1
Harlem Stage Gatehouse at 7:30 pm

Thursday, November 3
Casita Maria for Arts Education at 7:30 pm

Friday, November 4
New York University's Skirball Center for Performing Arts at 8.00 pm

Arturo O'Farrill had this to say, “I am excited and proud to host these amazing young people and their visionary leadership. I am especially pleased that the Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz will be performing for the students of the Urban Assembly Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists where the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music is currently in its fifth year of instruction and partnership. I see the work we're doing in our public school residencies as very much an extension of the fundamental principles of “El Sistema" and very much inspired by “El Sistema."

The Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz

The Simón Bolívar Big-Band Jazz (SBBBJ) was established in November 2007 by Professor Valdemar Rodríguez and the acclaimed Venezuelan drummer Andrés Briceño with the idea of promoting and disseminating jazz music genres in Venezuela. The SBBBJ is made up of 40 students at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory of Music, an institution that is part of the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela.

El Sistema

The Simón Bolívar Music Foundation is an organization committed to social development through an innovative and hope-instilling music education program, distinguished by its excellence and for having a positive impact on the communities where it is implemented.

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