Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture Presents: Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Three-Time Grammy Award-Winning SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA with OSCAR HERNÁNDEZ featuring RAY DE LA PAZ and MIGUEL ZENÓN

Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 8:00 pm
Main Theater | Hostos Community College
$55, $40, $35, $30 | $5 Students
Discounts for Seniors & Groups of 10+
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 1045
Box Office & Info: (718) 518-4455
hostoscenter.org

Bronx, NY, May 2, 2023 – With three Grammy Award wins and three Grammy nominations (the most recent for Imágenes Latinas (2022), the Spanish Harlem Orchestra with Oscar Hernández returns triumphantly to Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 8:00 pm (EDT). Joining them are special guest artists Ray De La Paz, one of the greatest “soneros” (vocalists) in Salsa, who made history with Louie Ramírez and Ray Barretto – and Miguel Zenón, the multiple Grammy Award-nominated alto saxophonist who perfects a fine mix between the sounds of Puerto Rico and Jazz.

The stellar evening takes place in the Main Theater of Hostos Community College at 450 Grand Concourse (at 149^th Street) in the Bronx. Tickets are available to purchase online at www.hostoscenter.org, by calling 718-518-4455 (M-F, 9am-5pm), or by visiting the Hostos Box Office Window, Mon-Fri, from 1pm to 4pm and beginning at 6pm on the day of the concert.  Hostos Community College can be reached by the IRT 2, 4, 5 Trains and the Bronx Bx1, Bx2, Bx19 buses to 149^th Street & Grand Concourse. By car, the College is off Exit 3 of the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87).

_{YouTube Video – Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Yo Te Prometo}

Spanish Harlem Orchestra is the three-time Grammy Award-winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band that sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York style, salsa and Latin jazz.  In 2000, producer Aaron Levinson approached Oscar Hernández about the idea of assembling a Latin jazz orchestra. Two years later, the debut recording from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Un Gran Día en el Barrio, went on to receive a Grammy nomination for “Best Salsa Album.” The ensemble has traveled the world and released seven recordings, with its eighth one due out soon in late May. Based on the success of their first CD album, Hernández and SHO began touring, recording and wowing audiences all over the world.

Oscar Hernández is a Bronx native, a four-time Grammy Award Winner, and one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/arrangers of contemporary Latin, Latin-jazz and salsa music. He has achieved legendary status for his prolific career performing and recording with world renown artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Julio Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Ray Barreto, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda, Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodríquez, Libre, Grupo Folkórico Experimental, and many more. Oscar was responsible for charting the musical course of Rubén . Blades’ band “Seis Del Solar” becoming Blades’ pianist, arranger and musical director. He was Musical Director/Conductor, arranging and producing the music for Paul Simon’s Broadway musical The Capeman. He continues to be in demand as one of the top pianists, arranger, composers and bandleaders in his field.

Ray De La Paz is one of the greats of salsa who has made history with Louie Ramírez and Ray Barretto. He is a Grammy nominated musician, singer and composer born in New York City of Puerto Rican descent. His career in  Salsa started in the early 1970s, joining groups in which he found his distinctive singing style, influenced by Héctor LaVoe and Justo Betancourt. He joined Louie Ramírez’ band and recorded on many of his albums, such as  Súper Cañonazos con Louie Ramírez and Sabor con Clase. In the late 1970’s he joined Ray Barretto’s band, recording vocals on over four albums including Rican/Struction and Giant Force. In 2002, his musical career led him to the Spanish Harlem Orchestra with Oscar Hernández recording on their debut  album Un Gran Día en El Barrio. Ray De la Paz’s musical journey continues with numerous international tours around the world.

Miguel Zenón is a multiple Grammy Nominee, as well as a Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, widely considered as one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zenón has released fifteen recordings as a leader, including his latest, Música De Las Américas and the Grammy Nominated El Arte Del Bolero. As a sideman he has worked with luminaries such as David Sánchez, Danilo Perez, Ray Barreto, Andy Montañez, and Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band, to name a few. Zenón has given lectures and master classes at institutions all over the world and is a permanent faculty member at New England Conservatory and The Manhattan School of Music. In 2011 he founded Caravana Cultural, a program which presents free-of-charge Jazz concerts in rural areas of Puerto Rico.

About the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture

Named “the powerful locus for Latino art” by the New York Times, the Hostos Center serves the cultural needs of South Bronx residents and neighboring communities. As a leader in Latinx and African-based programming, the Center creates performing and visual arts forums in which the diverse cultural heritages of its audiences are celebrated and nurtured. The Hostos Center consists of two state-of-the art theaters of 900 and 367 seats each, an experimental Black Box theater and a museum-grade art gallery. Hostos Center events are sponsored by the Hostos Community College Foundation with funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Howard Gilman Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Office of NYC Council member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. www.hostoscenter.org

About Hostos Community College

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges. https://www.hostos.cuny.edu/