Raquel Sofia Back Home at University of Miami

Raquel Sofía 

When I started publishing the Florida Music Letter in this electronic form, I previously launched a music blog called Weekly Music Commentary two years earlier. The two publications were different because Florida Music Letter featured music makers from the state of Florida. It also was not limited to popular artists, as I have featured music studios, colleges, events and venues. Nevertheless, I always knew the day would come when I featured an artist in both publications. In fact, I was looking forward to the time and opportunity for the occasion. However, I did not think it would take place in the same month. I have accomplished what I thought would happen three years into publishing Florida Music Letter. After interviews and events featuring so many fine Florida musicians, the first has found her place in both publications. Raquel Sofia, the rising Latin singer/songwriter is the featured Florida musician this month. Last week Raquel appeared in concert at the Festival Miami 2015. The performance was held at the Gusman Concert Hall on the campus of her alma mater University of Miami. I’m sure you will enjoy her story.

Edward Reid

Raquel Sofía graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelors degree in studio music and jazz. Originally from Mayaüez, Puerto Rico, she plays guitar and sings in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Singer/songwriter Raquel Sofía is a Spotify “2015 Artist To Watch,” grossing over 3.6 million streams on Spotify in just 6 months, and over 9 million streams to date.  Winner of the Rudy Perez Songwriting Award, her first single “Agridulce” was named one of Beats Music’s “Best of 2014 Pop” songs.

A digital phenomenon, Raquel Sofía’s first EP, Te Odio Los Sábados, has already received over 7.6 million streams on Spotify. Her “Tiny Desk Concert” on NPR has more than 72,000 views.  She is the first Latin artist on “Vevo DSCVR,” with over 100,000 views.

Raquel Sofía’s big break came singing backup for Juanes on MTV Unplugged. She then toured as opener and backup singer with Juanes, appearing at the Latin Billboards Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Latin Grammys.  She sang backup for Shakira at the 2014 American Music Awards, Tonight Show, and The Voice (UK).

Raquel Sofía recorded vocals for the Grammy winning track “Ula Ula” by Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas, featured in Target’s “Summer Up” campaign, and she wrote and performed on HBO’s 2015 Game Of Thrones Mix Tape.

click the link below to read the article featuring Raquel Sofia in Weekly Music Commentary

Weekly Music Commentary - Raquel Sofia

Festival Miami—Florida’s Premier Live Music Festival—provides world-class musical programming in diverse styles to all of South Florida, as it continues its cultural and community legacy. The University of Miami Frost School of Music hosts Festival Miami on its picturesque Coral Gables campus in comfortable and intimate venues including the newly renovated Maurice Gusman Concert Hall and the Weeks Center for Recording and Performance. Festival sponsors enjoy high-impact visibility and advertising throughout the festival including stage banners, printed program books, brochure mailers and throughout our extensive media campaign.

Festival Miami presents 25 to 30 concerts each October and November featuring Grammy Award winning and internationally acclaimed musical guest artists, master faculty artists, and award-winning student ensembles. Several events are offered free of admission each season and educational components such as master classes, open rehearsals, and hosted conversations with artists are also presented. Residents and visitors to South Florida are invited to partake in all that Festival Miami has to offer - from world premieres and symphonic concerts, to chamber music presentations and jazz performances, and much more.

click the link below for more information about Festival Miami

Festival Miami 2015

photos by Amanda Julca

UF Performing Arts Welcomes New Director Brian Jose

Brian Jose has been named the new director of University of Florida Performing Arts.

Mr. Jose comes to the University of Florida from the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University in Central Minnesota where he has served as the executive director of Fine Arts Programming since 2008. In this position, Jose was responsible for establishing strategic direction for the program, creating a collaborative environment between Fine Arts Programming and the faculty/staff of both college campuses.

Prior to his current position, Jose worked in various capacities for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Arizona State University’s Herberger College of Fine Arts, the Phoenix Art Museum, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

“I am so thrilled to join one of this country’s most storied performing arts programs. It is an honor to take over for Michael Blachly, and to build on his arts legacy at this great university,” Jose said.  “I look forward to sharing my passion for the performing arts with the UF and Gainesville communities.”

Jose, who currently serves as the Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors for the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP), will assume his new director duties effective early November.

University of Florida Performing Arts (UFPA) was formed in September 2000 when the Phillips Center and the newly-dedicated Baughman Center united under the direction of Michael Blachly.  In April, 2001, University Auditorium became a part of the program as well.  UFPA is responsible for building administration, technical labor, staffing, business and fiduciary oversight of these three facilities.

UFPA is a campus-based presenting organization.  Each season, UFPA presents 40-50 different events each season in the Phillips Center, University Auditorium and the Squitieri Studio Theatre (a black box venue located off the main lobby of the Phillips Center).  UFPA has also presented larger events at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.  UFPA strives to present a diversity of events from popular acts to classical to dance and beyond. 

In addition to its presented season, UFPA facilities also host rental events featuring local artists as well as national and internationally known acts.  Each season, UFPA welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors to its venues for its presented season, rental events, UF graduation ceremonies and more.

Here are a few special events coming to UFPA:

RAISIN’ CANE: A HARLEM RENAISSANCE ODYSSEY STARRING JASMINE GUY & THE AVERY SHARPE TRIO

• September 27, 2015 at 7:30 pm

• September 28, 2015 at 7:30 pm

• September 29, 2015 at 7:30 pm

Location: Phillips Center

Inspired by the classic 1923 Jean Toomer novel Cane and works by the musicians, composers, poets and actors of the Harlem Renaissance. Starring the award-winning actress, singer and dancer Jasmine Guy, a modern-day Griot, and the acclaimed Avery Sharpe Trio, Raisin’ Cane celebrates and honors the legendary voices of the Harlem Renaissance through text, song, music, movement and imagery. Raisin’ Cane was written and conceived by Harry Clark with adaptation by Jasmine Guy and original musical score by Avery Sharpe.

RAGTIME

• October 22, 2015 at 7:30 pm

• October 23, 2015 at 7:30 pm

Location: Phillips Center

AT THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY, everything is changing…and anything is possible. RAGTIME returns to the road in all-new touring production directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and produced by the team that most recently brought you THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SPAMALOT, ROCK OF AGES and THE COLOR PURPLE. The stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold – set in turn-of-the-century New York – all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Their compelling stories are set to theater’s richest and most glorious Tony Award®-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.

Winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Musical Score, this 13-time Tony Award nominated musical is a timeless celebration of life – what it could and should be!

click the link below for more information:

UF Performing Arts

Spectacular Lineup of Award-Winning Artists to Perform at Festival Miami 2015

Freda Payne

The University of Miami Frost School of Music and presenting sponsor UHealth – University of Miami Health System announce the extraordinary lineup for its annual multi-genre music festival, FESTIVAL MIAMI, Florida’s premier live music festival. From October 16 to November 7, 2015, the Festival will offer vibrant performances by the biggest names on the music scene from around the globe who will showcase their talents alongside the outstanding students and faculty artists from the Frost School of Music. More than 20 performances, organized into four themes: Great Performances, Jazz and Beyond, Music of the Americas, and Creative American Music, will be held in the intimate setting of the 600-seat UM Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, on the Coral Gables campus.

The Festival’s 32nd season kicks off on a bright note on October 16 when South Florida concert-goers will be treated to an unforgettable program featuring the music of three visionary American composers. The highlight of the evening will be a riveting performance by one of America’s newest artistic treasures – the Billboard chart-topping piano sensation SIMONE DINNERSTEIN who will perform the Florida premiere of Phillip Lasser’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra – The Circle and the Child with the FROST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Alan Hovhaness’s landmark And God Created Great Whales and Howard Hanson’s epic Symphony No. 5 complete the program of standout works.

Additional Festival Miami highlights include the annual SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE – Johnny Mercer Re-Imagined, held on October 20, that will place the spotlight on the remarkable talents of songwriters and performers from the Frost School’s Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music (CAM) Program. The students will give a fresh spin on classic songs by the legendary Johnny Mercer, who penned such beloved standards as “Autumn Leaves,” “Moon River,” and “Skylark,” showcasing all new versions of classic works by this brilliant writer. This event will be hosted by Rey Sanchez, CAM Program Director and Jon Brielle, Vice President of the Johnny Mercer Foundation. The following evening, October, 21, country music fans will be treated to an “unplugged” and “in the round” evening of music by Nashville’s songwriting giants when the NASHVILLE COUNTRY ALL-STARS (Craig Carothers, Tony Arata, Dave Berg, and Annie Mosher) showcase their biggest hits recorded by Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Rodney Atkins, and many others. Cuban-born piano master GONZALO RUBALCABA, who has been heralded by The New York Times as “one of the greatest musicians in jazz… a pianist of almost supernatural abilities,” will be joined by his fellow Frost School faculty artists, including percussion virtuoso and winner of the Concert Artists Guild International Competition SVET STOYANOV with trumpeter/bandleader JOHN 

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

DAVERSA directing the FROST CONCERT JAZZ BAND.
They will enthrall audiences in their new musical home with a thrilling jazz program on October 22. The Grammy-and Emmy Award winning tenor JOHN EASTERLIN will thrill audiences with Broadway and opera favorites and classic arias by Mozart, Bernstein, plus more celebrated composers on October 24 on a program that features Grammy nominated jazz arranger and Dean of the Frost School of Music SHELLY BERG as special guest. On October 25, the inimitable LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET -- recognized as one of the nation’s most groundbreaking and virtuosic instrumental ensembles -- will present music from their album New Renaissance and arrangements of classics by Ralph Towner, Pat Metheny, and Chet Atkins from their Grammy-winning project Guitar Heroes, as well as premiere works by Atanas Ourkouzounov, Tilman Hoppstock, and Dweezil Zappa.

Musical sparks will fly in a new interpretation of Brahms’s Horn Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 40 on October 28 when admired Frost horn faculty member, motion picture and solo recording artist RICHARD TODD performs with violin soloist and Cleveland Institute of Music’s President JOEL SMIRNOFF and award-winning pianist and NPR’s From the Top host CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY. Todd will also perform Olivier Messiaen’s solo horn work “Appel Interstellaire.” Solo piano and violin works by Bach and chamber music gems round out the evening’s program. CYRILLE AIMÉE, who is an extraordinary revelation in contemporary vocal jazz, will perform with the 2015 DownBeat Collegiate Award winning FROST STUDIO JAZZ BAND and JAZZ VOCAL 1 ENSEMBLE on October 29. The young, New York-based French singer AIMÉE blends standards with Gypsy swing and bossa nova. Since she won the 2012 Sarah Vaughan Jazz Competition, she has quickly become widely acclaimed as a favorite of jazz aficionados. Multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter and pianist BEN FOLDS will perform his critically acclaimed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with the Frost School’s stellar HENRY MANCINI INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA on October 30. His concerto, which he composed in 2013 and has since been performed by symphony orchestras to sold-out audiences around the globe, will be featured on his upcoming new album "So There," which is slated for release in September 2015."

On Halloween afternoon, the FROST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA presents Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Children’s Suite for Orchestra) by John Williams, plus music by Saint-Saëns and Mussorgsky. The young and young-at-heart are invited to dress in Halloween costumes and enjoy post-concert treats courtesy of Festival Miami.

Black Violin

The Festival continues on November 1 with an exhilarating sonic celebration when the violin/viola hip-hop duo BLACK VIOLIN, comprised of string musicians Kev Marcus and Wil B, will once again shatter stereotypes of classical musicians by offering their fresh take on classical music, incorporating influences from R&B and soul to rock and beyond. Named one of the hottest new bands at the South by Southwest (SXSW®) Festival, Black Violin is sure to “wow” audiences with their high-energy, genre-bending sounds. Grammy nominated jazz organist extraordinaire JOEY DeFRANCESCO has been credited with being a vital force in the revival of the Hammond B3 organ as a jazz instrument. On November 3, he will entertain audiences with his swinging style and astounding originality as he performs in the great tradition of the unforgettable Jimmy Smith. FREDA PAYNE, who will forever be associated with her 1970 breakthrough R&B hit “Band of Gold,” returns to her musical roots as an American jazz singer in the tradition of Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald on November 5. She will captivate audiences with her artistic prowess on a program that includes “Save Your Love for Me,” plus more enthralling selections with a trio that will feature Frost School of Music Dean SHELLY BERG on piano.

A Conversation With the Amazing Nestor Torres

Born in Puerto Rico, Nestor Torres has made music all his life; first playing drums at age 5, and then flute at twelve years old. Moving to New York City in his teenage years, he studied at Mannes School of Music, Berklee College of Music & the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, while at the same time learning to improvise in the ‘Charanga’ Cuban Dance Music style, which, combined with his Classical training and Jazz sensibility, shaped and developed Nestor’s melodic and danceable sound. Nestor’s command of his instrument allows him a freedom of expression that is at once captivating and liberating, powerful and genuine.

One of the joys in life is an opportunity to engage in an informative conversation. A few weeks ago I certainly enjoyed speaking with one of the great jazz musical artists of our time, Nestor Torres. Torres has the reputation of being one of the most talented flautists in South Florida and throughout the world. Also, most will readily tell you he is one of the most humble musicians you will ever meet. After speaking with him at length I can say first hand that the aforementioned characteristics are true. However, our conversation proved to be one of the most insightful since I began publishing. Nestor Torres is quite intelligent, witty and extremely knowledgeable about music in general. My hope is that everyone will enjoy meeting one of finest musicians who calls the state of Florida home. 

Why did you choose the flute as your musical instrument?

As a child I was surrounded by musicians, my father was a musician as well as cousins who played musical instruments. In Puerto Rico where I grew up, in key cities there were free music schools. Most students were choosing popular instruments like trumpet, saxophone, piano etc. At the time I was asked what instrument I wanted to play. Not really sure, I saw a picture of a flute. I recalled times hearing the music of the flute in other recordings and in the orchestra, and decided this would be the instrument I would play. 

Who influenced you most early in your development?

First, my father was most influential. He never really learned to read music, but was one of the finest musicians I have ever known. He was very demanding musically, but truly was a huge part of my musical development. Second, Tito Puente. I remember going to hear Tito play in New York, and he allowed me to sit in with the band. Puente explained that for this style of music, you will have to play in the third octave, or higher octave. This was such a clear directive but certainly helped me in later working with other Latin artists. Third, Hubert Laws set the standard for all jazz flautist. Listening to Hubert play changed my life. Certainly he is considered a master of the flute.

You attended some prestigious music schools in the northeast, which one stood out as the best for you?

Good question. I would have to say the New England conservatory. At the time every musician was required to read music in several different ways. Students had to be proficient with the piano, and have a sound grasp of music theory. New England Conservatory at that time was groundbreaking because they had jazz studies as well as contemporary and classical instruction, essentially breaking the barrier between the different musical genres. Also, Boston is such a rich musically cultural city, so yes, New England Conservatory would be the school that stood out the most to me.

Much was reported about your accident several years ago, are you okay today?

It has been 25 years. I am very blessed and grateful. although I have some aches and pains overall I am fully recovered and doing fine. There were a lot of negative consequences following the accident, but I learned a lot from the harsh realities of life. I had to make a choice, when confronted with a hopeless situation. Something that occurs that is so painful and catastrophic is the time when we find opportunity for growth and development.

You travel and perform l over the world. Do you like living in Miami?

Absolutely, I am very grateful to call Miami home. Miami has always been good to me.

In your opinion, what is the state of S. Florida’s jazz music scene?

There are some very exciting things happening in South Florida. When performing in South Florida I play at the nightclub Jazziz, in Boca Raton. The scene continues to evolve with contributions from great musicians like Silvano Monasterios. Also, radio station WDNA does some wonderful things promoting jazz music and playing music for the community. There are many truly wonderful musicians in the area, like saxophonist Ed Calle, and UM Music Dean Shelly Berg. The infusion of talent from Venezuela is helping the evolution of South Florida into a very vibrant jazz scene. 

Nestor and I spoke about his current project Neodance. I thought best to include a link to the website and information about this very unique production. 

Neodance™ is a dynamic Tango fusion of rhythms and dance. Weaving Tango as the common thread, Neodance combines a blend of the hottest genres in Latin music and Jazz with the sensual, seductive dances of Tango and Salsa. Nestor Torres' creative and innovative genius brings MrDance's vision to life... and now to the world.

Neodance.com