Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Pablo Batista - El Viaje
Jun 18, 2016
Saturday, June 25, 2016 | 8pm
Sunday, June 26, 2016 | 3pm
El Viaje
Temple Performing Arts Center [TPAC]
1837 N. Broad Street, Phila., PA 19122
For Tickets & More Info Visit El Viaje Website
Pablo Batista's El Viaje (The Journey) from Jill Frechie on Vimeo.
Pablo Batista is a Philadelphia rhythm master who understands time and sweats the small stuff. That's what percussion is all about. The small instruments that complete the creation of the perfect atmosphere. The small measures of time that shape rhythms. The seconds, mili-seconds... the heartbeats. The rhythms of life. This is Batista's world.
Always seeking to make things right and on time, Pablo Batista is an exceptional percussionist who effortlessly moves from traditional or folkloric music to Pop, from R&B, or Jazz to Salsa. He has worked with such diverse artists as Manny Oquendo, Grover Washington Jr, and Alicia Keys and many others. He is a passionate teacher who wants to share what he was taught and has gathered over his career about time and rhythm.
Batista has worked with the Philadelphia Jazz Project on a number of important projects. They includie, the Philadelphia Songbook Volume One concert in Februray 2014, which presented a Philly-centered collection of classic and little known, songs written by local musicians. He also participated in the Another Holiday For Skins project in February and August of 2015, which re-interpreted Art Blakey's 1959 master work for percussionsist, Holiday For Skins. In both of these instance Batista was a dedicated collaborator, an enthusiastic team member, and a fiery leader.
On Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, Pablo Batista will present the world premier of a new musical masterpiece, El Viaje, at TPAC/Temple Perfoming Arts Center in Philadelphia. PJP spoke with master percussionist, Pablo Batista about the El Viaje project.
PJP: What is El Viaje?
Pablo Batista: It’s eclectic work of music, dance, light and multimedia that tells the story of forced migration from the Motherland to the Caribe, and from the to the mainland my U.S. It reflects the journey of my ancestors and family, but also many, many others. It’s about struggle, hope, resilience and freedom.
PJP: Can you briefly describe your direction as a songwriter and composer?
Pablo Batista: My direction is the result of many years of study, research and blending folkloric drumming, dance and chant with the great American music I’ve been listening to and playing for decades.
PJP: What and whom are pivotal influences on your creative approach?
Pablo Batista: Some of the great master percussionists who inspired me include Tata Guines, Los Papines, Los Munaquitos, Anga Diaz, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Art Blakey, and more. Beyond those, I’m inspired by our roots and moved by the struggles it took to get to this point.
PJP: Tell us about the music for the show and the people working with you.
Pablo Batista: El Viaje is an opportunity to reflect on all of my influences, and it’s out of the box! Plus, I’m blessed with some amazing musicians, including several members of my Mambo Syndicate salsa orchestra: Pianist/co-writer and arranger Dennis Guevara, trombonists Nick Lombardelli and Louis Soto, trumpeter Nelson Miranda, and my vocalists Tony Perez and Juan Garcia.
In addition, I have incredible folkloric drummers in Michael Sotolongo and Nico Laboy, and one of our preeminent vocalists in Nina Sotolongo, who will captivate everybody in the room when she starts to sing. These are some of the most highly regarded performers anywhere, who play sacred music in the Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean tradition, but they have also appeared as invited guests with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and others at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.
Finally, working with me on arrangements and on-stage, I am incredibly lucky to have Dave Watson and Darryl Dixon, founders of CHOPS HORNS.CHOPS is an elite group of performer/arrangers who work with many of the biggest stars in R&B and Pop music. including years with SugarHill Records, the horn section for The Police's "Ghost In The Machine -World Tour," The Rolling Stones' "Undercover," Bob Dylan’s"Empire Burlesque," Public Enemy's "Muse Sick-N-Hour MessAge," Christina Aguilera's "Stripped," Alicia Key's "Diary Of Alicia Keys," "Unplugged" and "As I Am," Mariah Carey's "Emancipation Of Mimi," and on the soundtrack of the movie, "Glory Road."
PJP: What advice would you give to your audiences to assist with greater understanding and enjoyment of this project?
Pablo Batista: Come with an open mind, open ears! Be ready for some surprises. Be ready for an amazing and important story about our history, that is also about a lot of what’s going on in the world today. Come check out The Journey, but remember also to support other important work from the Philadelphia music scene, as well.
Saturday, June 25, 2016 | 8pm
Sunday, June 26, 2016 | 3pm
El Viaje
Temple Performing Arts Center [TPAC]
1837 N. Broad Street, Phila., PA 19122
For Tickets & More Info Visit El Viaje Website
