Richmond Jazz Society Guest Educators Series presents Gabriel Alegria and The Afro-Peruvian Sextet October 21, 2010

Trumpeter and composer Gabriel Alegría is one of the most influential figures on the Jazz scene in Peru.

His grandfather Ciro was Peru’s most famous novelist; and, his father Alonso is Perú’s most acclaimed playwright! Alegría has developed a unique form of World Jazz by combining Jazz with his passionate study of the Black music of coastal Peru. By incorporating the common African roots found in both styles, he has developed a uniquely Afro-Peruvian Jazz music concept. His cross-cultural exchange is defining Afro-Peruvian Jazz music as the newest voice to come from Latin America.

Alegría is touring the USA with his Afro-Peruvian Sextet featuring saxophonist Laurandrea Leguía; acoustic guitarist Yuri Juárez; bassist Ramón De Bruyn; drummer Hugo Alcázar; and master percussionist Freddy “Huevito” Lobatón, who plays the traditional Afro-Peruvian instruments cajón (box drum) and quijada (jaw bone) and adds spectacular passages of zapateo dancing to each performance.

“A fascinating Glimpse into how jazz is fusing with regional music around the world” – LA Weekly

“An Inspiring Mixture of Jazz and Afro-Peruvian Music” –The Latin Jazz Corner

“Incredible! We Americans sometimes have a bastardized idea of Latin Music. It’s great to get this information straight from the source and presented the way it is supposed to be.” – Christian McBride

This presentation is made possible by generous sponsorship provided by

Jazz Peru International. Please visit www.jazzperu.org.

Official Website: http://www.vajazz.org