St. Olaf Jazz Band Concert in Havana

Havana.- The St. Olaf Jazz Band from Minnesota, United States, directed by David Hagedorn, will offer a concert next March 24 at Sala Teatro Avenida in the Cuban capital city, during which they will share the stage with important Cuban bands.  

The Cuban Institute of Music announced the presentation will have the special presentation of maestro Joaquín Betancourt and the Joven Jazz Band.

The band will play works by North American composers Miles Davis, Matt Harris, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock and the Argentinian Astor Piazzolla.

They played recently at the Jose White Concerts Hall in Matanzas with the Matanzas Provincial Band and the Atenas Brass Ensamble as guests.

The St. Olaf Jazz Band’s performances are possible due to a collaboration of Classical Movements with the Cuban Institute of Music and the National Center of Popular Music. 

The renowned jazz bands of St. Olaf College offered the students of that university’s departments a unique opportunity to present their work.

The Jazz program of St. Olaf is home of three different groups and each one is integrated by approximately 21 members.  

Under the direction of Dave Hagedorn, the bands include in their concerts a great variety of musical styles like swing, be-bop, fusion, funk, salsa and Brazilian, Afro-Cuban genres, just as the "grooves" from New Orleans.

Source ACN