University of Florida Performing Arts

presents

NINETY MILESfeaturing

Stefon Harris, Nicholas Payton & David Sanchez

Saturday, April 27, 2013, 7:30 p.m.

University Auditorium

About NINETY MILESIn May 2010, history was made in a small recording studio in Havana when three of the most brilliant young jazz artists on the planet joined forces to record what will soon become one of the most defining new works of music to hit the streets in 2011. Vibist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sánchez and trumpeter Christian Scott met, performed and recorded with two Cuban rhythm sections, demonstrating that music is the common language among different cultures. The result of those sessions, a stellar album titled Ninety Miles, was released in June 2011 on Concord Records and was named as 2011 Best CDs by NPR among others. In 2012, Grammy-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton joined the band as co-leader, replacing Scott.

Stefon HarrisFour-time Grammy-nominated vibist Stefon Harris has been heralded as “one of the most important young artists in jazz “ by The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times said, “He swings; and when he plays, he makes you feel good.” His most recent album and Concord debut, Urbanus, was nominated for a Grammy and received praise from fans and critics alike. The Wall Street Journal called it “brilliant,” while People Magazine gave it three out of four stars. A recipient of Lincoln Center’s Martin E. Segal Award, Harris earned a B.M. in classical music and a M.M. in jazz performance from Manhattan School of Music. Harris teaches at New York University and has been artist in residence at Fontana Chamber Arts (Kalamazoo), The Lied Center (Lincoln, Neb.) and San Francisco Performances. Harris has served on the executive board of directors for Chamber Music America and was the first musician elected to the WBGO-FM Board of Directors. He tours worldwide with his band Blackout and the San Francisco Jazz Collective.

Nicholas PaytonHailed as a virtuoso before he was even out of high school, Nicholas Payton’s prodigious talent earned him praise as one of the most important artists of our time. In 1994, Payton made his recording debut as a leader with From This Moment (Verve), where he was immediately recognized as a “young lion.” Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a musical family, Payton received his first trumpet at age 4 and by the age of 12 he was a member of the All Star Brass Band that performed and toured extensively. He has toured with scores of musicians including Clark Terry, Marcus Roberts, Ray Brown, Elvin Jones and Roy Haynes and is credited on more than 120 recordings as a composer, arranger, special guest or sideman. As a leader, Payton has recorded eight albums under his own name including Doc Cheatham and Nicholas Payton — a 1997 Grammy-winning collaboration with the legendary trumpeter. He also released Dear Louis, Nick @ Night, Gumbo Nouveau, Sonic Trance, Payton’s Place and Into the Blue.

David SánchezThe Puerto Rico-born Sánchez has being hailed as “the most profound young tenor saxophonist working today.” World-renown jazz critic Howard Reich saluted the young bandleader saying, “Technically, tonally and creatively, he seems to have it all. His sound is never less than plush, his pitch is unerring and his rapid-fire playing is ravishing in its combination of speed, accuracy and utter evenness of tone.” Such is the acclaim and respect that Grammy-winning Sánchez has engendered from critics, music lovers and fellow artists throughout the world as he continues to push the frontiers of mainstream jazz to incorporate a compelling and rich array of Latin and Afro-Caribbean influences, while remaining true to the tenets of the jazz genre.

Side Musicians

Mauricio HerreraMauricio Herrera was born in Holguin, Cuba and began studying percussion at the age of 12. After graduation from the Jose Maria Ochoa Conservatory in Holguin, he began playing in various popular groups, as well as with Caribe Nibor, and the folkloric group La Campana. In 1994, Herrera moved to La Habana to broaden his horizons, and he played, toured and recorded with Hector Valentin, La Barriada, Pachito Alonso, Manolin el medico de la salsa, Manolito Simonet and Paulito FG. In February 2005, Herrera moved to New York City and played with Son de Madre, Yerba buena, Lila Downs, Hector Martignon Quartet, John Benitez Project, Mark Weinstein, Xiomara Laugart, Yosvany Terry Afro-Cuban Roots, Alfredo de la Fe band, Osmany Paredes Quartet, Oriente Lopez Group, Lew Soloff Afro-Cuban Project, Grupo Ibboru, Brian Lynch, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Obbini Tumbao, Michelle Rosewoman Project and the legendary percussionist Candido Camero. Herrera is currently on the faculty of the Boys Harbor Conservatory.

Ricardo RodriguezBassist Ricardo Rodriguez has become a quintessential part of the New York City jazz scene, and embracing the entire scope of contemporary music. Besides being a highly in-demand jazz bassist, Rodriguez can also be found playing contemporary music, Afro-Caribbean and Latin folk music. Rodriguez studied classical bass and composition at the Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico. In addition to his work with Ninety Miles (Stefon Harris, Nicholas Payton and David Sanchez), Rodriguez has also played with Joe Locke and Force of Four, Ignacio Berroa Quartet, The Rodriguez Brothers, David Sanchez Quartet, David Binney, Miguel Zenon Quartet, Branford Marsalis, Donny McCaslin Trio, Rusell Malone, Lionel Loueke, Aaron Goldberg Trio, Janis Siegel, Claudia Acuna Quartet, Adam Rogers, Wayne Escoffery Quintet, Billy Drummond and many others.

Henry ColeDrummer Henry Cole is at the forefront of a growing wave of jazz innovation and cross-cultural rhythm in the 21st century. With his flexibility, grace and sheer

power behind the drum kit, he has proven indispensable to the sound of some of the world’s most acclaimed jazz groups, including the Grammy-nominated Miguel Zenón Quartet (Awake, Esta Plena, Alma Adentro), Grammy-winner David Sánchez (Cultural Survival), the Edward Simon Trio, and the all-star quartet Ninety Miles featuring Sánchez, Stefon Harris and Christian Scott.

Henry has performed with the likes of Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Drew Gress, the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Big Band, Ray Barretto, Orlando “Puntilla” Rios, Papo Vazquez, Perico Sambeat, Paquito D’Rivera, David “Fathead” Newman, Dave Samuels, the contemporary plena group Viento de Agua and many more. He has toured throughout the U.S. and Europe, Mexico and Central America, Korea and Japan. Henry’s debut album as leader of the Afro-Beat Collective, Roots Before Branches, was released in 2011.

Edward SimonEdward Simon was born in the small coastal town of Cardón, Venezuela. He attended the Philadelphia Performing Arts School, the University of the Arts where he studied classical piano, and then jazz piano at Manhattan School of Music. While in New York City, Simon played with Greg Osby, Jerry Gonzalez, Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Mann, Kevin Eubanks, Paquito D’Rivera, Bobby Watson and Terence Blanchard. Simon’s own Trio has become an established voice with five recordings and recent performances at such well-known jazz venues as the Village Vanguard, Jazz Bakery and Casa del Jazz. In 2000, Simon co-founded the quartet Afinidad with David Binney, Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez. Simon has been awarded grants Chamber Music America and has received numerous Fellowships in Music Composition. Simon is currently on faculty of the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Recent collaborations include projects with Don Byron, Miguel Zenon, Luciana Souza, Paquito D’Rivera and John Patitucci and the SFJazz Collective.