Bobby Sanabria
Bobby Sanabria, drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, recording artist, producer, filmmaker, conductor, educator, activist, multi-cultural warrior and multiple Grammy nominee – has performed with a veritable Who’s Who in the world of jazz and Latin music, as well as with his own critically acclaimed ensembles. His diverse recording and performing experience includes work with such legendary figures as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Charles McPherson, Mongo Santamaría, Ray Barretto, Marco Rizo, Arturo Sandoval, Roswell Rudd, Chico O’Farrill, Candido, Yomo Toro, Francisco Aguabella, Larry Harlow, Henry Threadgill, and the Godfather of Afro-Cuban Jazz, Mario Bauzá.
Bobby, the son of Puerto Rican parents, was born and raised in the “Fort Apache” section of New York City’s South Bronx. Inspired and encouraged by maestro Tito Puente, another fellow New York-born Puerto Rican, Bobby attended the Berklee College of Music where he received their prestigious Faculty Association Award for his work as an instrumentalist. Since his graduation, Bobby has become a leader in the Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and jazz fields as both a drummer and percussionist, and is recognized as one of the most articulate musician-scholars of la tradición living today.
Bobby has been the recipient of many awards, including an NEA grant as a jazz performer, was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame having a permanent street named after him on the Bronx’s famed Grand Concourse in recognition for his contributions to music and the arts. As an activist he has long been a champion for the recognition of Latin jazz as a legitimate art form and its proper place of recognition in the history of the jazz continuum.
His current new big band CD released in August of 2012 on the Jazzheads label is entitled MULTIVERSE. Inspired by the writings of Mexican author Octavio Paz and the current scientific theories of multiple universes, it blurs the boundaries between jazz, Latin, funk, rock, r & b, gospel, the avant garde and even rap. Featured are spoken word artist La Bruja in an amazing first ever fusion of spoken word/rap big band Latin jazz tribute to the Father of Afro-Cuban jazz Mario Bauzá and award winning vocalist Chareneè Wade in an incredible new treatment of Over The Rainbow. MULTIVERSE has been praised by critics for its incredible multi-dimensional vision bringing the big band into and beyond the 21st century. It has been recently nominated in two categories for the Grammys: Best Latin Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Arrangement – Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite for Ellington, giving Bobby a total of seven nominations for the coveted award.
“MULTIVERSE is a thrilling trip through the Latin jazz cosmos, directed by one of the finest percussive pilots on the planet.” – Dan Bilawsky, ALL ABOUT JAZZ
****1/2 – John Murph, DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
Event Location and Ticket Information
PJS Jazz Society (at First Presbyterian Church)
199 North Columbus Ave
Mount Vernon, NY
Handicap Accessible? Yes
Date: Sunday, April 9, 2017
Times: 5:15 pm - 9:00 pm
Ticket pricing:
- $25 General Admission
Presenter: PJS Jazz Society, Inc.
Presenter Phone: 914-667-0823
Presenter Website: www.pjsjazz.org