Multi-Grammy-Winning Drummer
Mark Walker
and The Rhythm of the Americas Quintet
Mark Walker, drums • Edmar Colón, saxophones • Alain Mallet, piano
Oscar Stagnaro, electric bass • Ernesto Díaz, percussion
The Show...
Mark Walker is an international multi-Grammy-winning drummer, composer, and educator. During this evening’s performance at The Press Room, he will present a journey into Afro-Latin rhythms and jazz with his band, The Rhythm of the Americas Quintet.
This will truly be an international all-star lineup that includes saxophonist Edmar Colón (Puerto Rico), pianist Alain Mallet (France), bassist Oscar Stagnaro (Peru), percussionist Ernesto Díaz (Colombia) and Mark (Chicago and U.S.).
The group will be playing music from Walker’s acclaimed debut album, “You Get What You Give,” which reached the top 10 on JazzWeek and features Paquito D’Rivera.
Mark has showcased his album in Boston, Chicago, and Valencia, Venezuela, selling out the Regent Theater in Arlington, Massachusetts, with acclaimed trumpeter Randy Brecker.
The Musicians
Mark Walker was nominated for a Grammy Award as a composer at the 50th annual Grammy Awards, and has earned two Grammy Awards, four Latin Grammy awards, and nine Grammy nominations as a drummer for his work with Paquito D’Rivera and OREGON, a band that has inspired audiences in renowned concert halls around the world.
Over the past 40 years, Mark has enjoyed long stints with Paquito D’Rivera, OREGON, Michel Camilo, Lyle Mays, the Caribbean Jazz Project, César Camargo Mariano, Andy Narell, Grace Kelly, Patricia Barber, and the German radio big bands (NDR, WDR and HR).
He is currently a member of Arturo Sandoval’s band, whom Sandoval calls “the best band I’ve ever had.” He also performs with comedian Rob Schneider and many outstanding jazz artists, including recently on Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club stage with saxophonist Grace Kelly.
In addition to recording, performing, and composing, Mark is on the faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Berklee Online, and the New England Conservatory. He is also author of “World Jazz Drumming” (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard). For more information about Mark, go to: https://www.markwalkermusic.com and https://www.markwalkerlessons.com.
Check out his album “You Get What You Give” at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=739Ea_rKwE
https://youtu.be/XiC5koDrpdE?feature=shared
Meet the All-Star Band!
Edmar Colón, saxophones
Edmar Colón is an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, and composer from Coamo, Puerto Rico, currently living in Boston where he studied and now teaches at Berklee College of Music. Edmar has toured and played with and/or written for many outstanding musicians here and abroad. Among them Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Danilo Pérez, Wayne Shorter, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Danny Rivera, Ledisi, and others from a variety of musical genres. Recently he performed at the Kennedy Center for the Arts in the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival and the Abbey Lincoln tribute tour with Grammy Award recipients Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. He has also performed at numerous jazz festivals including Puerto Rico, Toronto, Detroit, Panama, Montreal, and others. In 2016, he was awarded the Latino 30 under 30 Award New England from the newspaper El Mundo. He was also awarded first prize at the Keep an Eye International Jazz Awards in Amsterdam as a part of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. In 2017, he was honored in the annual Patron Saint festivities of his hometown of Coamo.
Alain Mallet, piano
Born in France, Alain Mallet, moved to the States at the age of 21 to attend Berklee College of Music, where he is now a professor in the ensemble and piano departments. Throughout his more than 40 years in music as a pianist, composer, and producer, he has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in Jazz and Pop including Phil Woods, Paul Simon, Paquito D'Rivera, Marc Johnson, Madeleine Peyroux, Eddie Palmieri, Bill Evans, John Medeski, Bill Pierce, and many more. He is a critically acclaimed producer, particularly for his work with singer/songwriter Jonatha Brooke. He was pianist and musical director for jazz artist Robin McKelle. Most recently Alain worked with Jam Band sensation Club D'Elf and recording with saxophonist Andy Snitzer, flamenco singer Jose Merce, and singer Janis Siegel of “Manhattan Transfer”. His original compositions have been recorded by jazz greats such as Gary Burton, Dave Samuels, and Paquito D'Rivera and published in the “European Real Book” (Sher Music). His first solo recording titled “Mutt Slang” (2018) was received with rave reviews. The follow-up, “Mutt Slang II. A Wake of Sorrows Engulfed in Rage” is out now on Origin records.
Oscar Stagnaro, electric bass
Grammy-winning bassist, Oscar Stagnaro, is considered one of the top Latin bass players in the world. Oscar hails from Peru where he studied at the Conservatory of Music in Lima while working extensively as a first-call session musician and live performer for many international artists and local bands. He moved to the U.S. in 1979, where he continued his studies with pianist/educator Mike Marra, and jazz great Jerry Bergonzi. Since then, Oscar has become one of the most in-demand performers on the East Coast. Since 1992 he has been bassist with Paquito D'Rivera. His mastery of different music styles from Jazz and Fusion to Latin, Brazilian, and South American music, has allowed him to travel the world performing and/or recording with a virtual who's who in the Latin and Jazz worlds respectively. Throughout his illustrious career, Oscar has accrued four Grammy Awards with a total of six nominations. In addition to performing, education has been a major part of his career. Since 1988 Oscar has been a professor at Berklee College of Music, largely responsible developing its Latin music education. In addition, he teaches Latin Jazz at the New England Conservatory of Music. He is co-author of the “Latin Bass Book” (Sher Music) on how to play bass lines in the Afro Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, and South American music styles. He wrote the “Afro Cuban Slap Book” (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard), and he is working on a new book “New Trends in Latin Jazz” for bass, drums, and piano. Bass Player Magazine wrote, "Oscar's technical agility, advanced harmonic and melodic knowledge, and grounding in funk and R&B--as well as his dedication to Latin traditions--give him the ultimate flexibility when it comes time to lay down a groove."
Ernesto Díaz, percussion
Ernesto Diaz is a Grammy-nominated percussionist and assistant professor of percussion at Berklee College of Music. He is a two-time Grammy-nominated artist for Best Tropical Latin Album of the Year for Gonzalo Grau y La Clave Secreta’s album, “Frutero Moderno,” and for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops’ “The Latin Album.” He has performed with Gloria Estefan, the Boston Pops, and numerous Cuban legends such as Cachao Lopez, Eliades Ochoa, Toumani Diabate, Paquito D’Rivera, and Oriente Lopez. He has led concerts at Berklee with visiting artists such as Changuito, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernandez, Francisco Mela, and Roberto Vizcaino. Ernesto’s music has been featured in “The Blue Diner” and “Casa de los Babys” and on radio with WGBH’s “La Plaza”.
Reserve Your Seats Now!
Reserved Tickets: $25 (pre-sale)
$30 (at the door)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-american-and-caribbean-rhythms-with-a-jazz-sensibility-tickets-808119165177
Over the past 40 years, Mark has enjoyed long stints with Paquito D’Rivera, OREGON, Michel Camilo, Lyle Mays, the Caribbean Jazz Project, César Camargo Mariano, Andy Narell, Grace Kelly, Patricia Barber, and the German radio big bands (NDR, WDR and HR).
He is currently a member of Arturo Sandoval’s band, whom Sandoval calls “the best band I’ve ever had.” He also performs with comedian Rob Schneider and many outstanding jazz artists, including recently on Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club stage with saxophonist Grace Kelly.
In addition to recording, performing, and composing, Mark is on the faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Berklee Online, and the New England Conservatory. He is also author of “World Jazz Drumming” (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard). For more information about Mark, go to: https://www.markwalkermusic.com and https://www.markwalkerlessons.com.
Check out his album “You Get What You Give” at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=739Ea_rKwE
https://youtu.be/XiC5koDrpdE?feature=shared
Meet the All-Star Band!
Edmar Colón, saxophones
Edmar Colón is an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, and composer from Coamo, Puerto Rico, currently living in Boston where he studied and now teaches at Berklee College of Music. Edmar has toured and played with and/or written for many outstanding musicians here and abroad. Among them Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Danilo Pérez, Wayne Shorter, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Danny Rivera, Ledisi, and others from a variety of musical genres. Recently he performed at the Kennedy Center for the Arts in the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival and the Abbey Lincoln tribute tour with Grammy Award recipients Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. He has also performed at numerous jazz festivals including Puerto Rico, Toronto, Detroit, Panama, Montreal, and others. In 2016, he was awarded the Latino 30 under 30 Award New England from the newspaper El Mundo. He was also awarded first prize at the Keep an Eye International Jazz Awards in Amsterdam as a part of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. In 2017, he was honored in the annual Patron Saint festivities of his hometown of Coamo.
Alain Mallet, piano
Born in France, Alain Mallet, moved to the States at the age of 21 to attend Berklee College of Music, where he is now a professor in the ensemble and piano departments. Throughout his more than 40 years in music as a pianist, composer, and producer, he has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in Jazz and Pop including Phil Woods, Paul Simon, Paquito D'Rivera, Marc Johnson, Madeleine Peyroux, Eddie Palmieri, Bill Evans, John Medeski, Bill Pierce, and many more. He is a critically acclaimed producer, particularly for his work with singer/songwriter Jonatha Brooke. He was pianist and musical director for jazz artist Robin McKelle. Most recently Alain worked with Jam Band sensation Club D'Elf and recording with saxophonist Andy Snitzer, flamenco singer Jose Merce, and singer Janis Siegel of “Manhattan Transfer”. His original compositions have been recorded by jazz greats such as Gary Burton, Dave Samuels, and Paquito D'Rivera and published in the “European Real Book” (Sher Music). His first solo recording titled “Mutt Slang” (2018) was received with rave reviews. The follow-up, “Mutt Slang II. A Wake of Sorrows Engulfed in Rage” is out now on Origin records.
Oscar Stagnaro, electric bass
Grammy-winning bassist, Oscar Stagnaro, is considered one of the top Latin bass players in the world. Oscar hails from Peru where he studied at the Conservatory of Music in Lima while working extensively as a first-call session musician and live performer for many international artists and local bands. He moved to the U.S. in 1979, where he continued his studies with pianist/educator Mike Marra, and jazz great Jerry Bergonzi. Since then, Oscar has become one of the most in-demand performers on the East Coast. Since 1992 he has been bassist with Paquito D'Rivera. His mastery of different music styles from Jazz and Fusion to Latin, Brazilian, and South American music, has allowed him to travel the world performing and/or recording with a virtual who's who in the Latin and Jazz worlds respectively. Throughout his illustrious career, Oscar has accrued four Grammy Awards with a total of six nominations. In addition to performing, education has been a major part of his career. Since 1988 Oscar has been a professor at Berklee College of Music, largely responsible developing its Latin music education. In addition, he teaches Latin Jazz at the New England Conservatory of Music. He is co-author of the “Latin Bass Book” (Sher Music) on how to play bass lines in the Afro Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, and South American music styles. He wrote the “Afro Cuban Slap Book” (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard), and he is working on a new book “New Trends in Latin Jazz” for bass, drums, and piano. Bass Player Magazine wrote, "Oscar's technical agility, advanced harmonic and melodic knowledge, and grounding in funk and R&B--as well as his dedication to Latin traditions--give him the ultimate flexibility when it comes time to lay down a groove."
Ernesto Díaz, percussion
Ernesto Diaz is a Grammy-nominated percussionist and assistant professor of percussion at Berklee College of Music. He is a two-time Grammy-nominated artist for Best Tropical Latin Album of the Year for Gonzalo Grau y La Clave Secreta’s album, “Frutero Moderno,” and for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops’ “The Latin Album.” He has performed with Gloria Estefan, the Boston Pops, and numerous Cuban legends such as Cachao Lopez, Eliades Ochoa, Toumani Diabate, Paquito D’Rivera, and Oriente Lopez. He has led concerts at Berklee with visiting artists such as Changuito, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernandez, Francisco Mela, and Roberto Vizcaino. Ernesto’s music has been featured in “The Blue Diner” and “Casa de los Babys” and on radio with WGBH’s “La Plaza”.
Reserve Your Seats Now!
Reserved Tickets: $25 (pre-sale)
$30 (at the door)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-american-and-caribbean-rhythms-with-a-jazz-sensibility-tickets-808119165177
Reserved Tickets: $25 (pre-sale) $30 (at the door)
About the Seacoast Jazz Society
This show is part of the Jazz All-Stars Series sponsored by the Seacoast Jazz Society. The Society, founded in 1990, is a nonprofit organization serving northern Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. Its mission is to keep jazz alive in the community, support local musicians, offer jazz education and events, and provide scholarships for young artists. To become a member or join the mailing list, click here.
This show is part of the Jazz All-Stars Series sponsored by the Seacoast Jazz Society. The Society, founded in 1990, is a nonprofit organization serving northern Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. Its mission is to keep jazz alive in the community, support local musicians, offer jazz education and events, and provide scholarships for young artists. To become a member or join the mailing list, click here.