About this project
Thank you all for taking the time to check out this project. My latest CD, “Afropean Affair” needs funds! This is my second recording project as a leader. It has been five years and my writing for this specific group has evolved considerably. The album is almost finished, but it just needs the final push! The CD is recorded, mixed and mastered. but I still need funds for pressing the discs, publicity, graphic design and video production. Please show your support, and check out the cool incentives provided for anyone who contributes.
The music was composed after a commission from Chamber Music America. The result was a three movement piece entitled "The Afropean Suite". It was premiered at the Jazz Gallery in NYC and the OSPAC Jazz Festival in New Jersey in September 2009. It is the centerpiece of this CD. After many great gigs at venues like Zinc Bar, Kitano, Iridium and various Jazz Festivals, I finished writing this music and we recorded it in November 2010.
My group NUEVO COMIENZO features an exceptional and unique line up including some of the most outstanding jazz musicians on the New York scene: Greg Glassman on trumpet, Stacy Dillard on saxophones, Anthony Perez on bass, Emiliano Valerio on percussion and Jerome Jennings on drums. Special guest vocalist Charenee Wade appears on the "Afropean Suite" as well.
The CD is going to be released by Chandra Records, which is an artist cooperative record label that does not provide funding for the project. I love Kickstarter for making you a part of this record! Just remember: Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money changes hands.
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Your direct pledge will help me secure funds for the following:
1) Finishing the artwork and graphic design for the CD.
2) Funding the video you just enjoyed, which I will also use for press purposes.
3) Funding the photoshoot that will be part of the CD artwork and press.
4) Replication of the CDs
5) Hiring a Publicist to run a small press campaign. Ann Braithwaite of Braithwaite & Katz Communications has agreed to help us out with this huge undertaking. Such an exciting time!
6) With extra funds, I may be able to hire a radio promoter to push this music onto your local jazz radio station.
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Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about this project or for more ways to get involved. oscar@oscarperezmusic.com
Thanks again! And good luck to all of us...
Best, Oscar
Some quotes:
“Prolific pianist and composer Oscar Perez delivers an amazing bouquet of Latin jazz compositions. Perez blends his rhythmic Cuban roots and American jazz with high skill.” -Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez of JazzReview.com
“Perez shows his ample skill on this first album, incorporating the stylistic elements of Tyner, Hancock and Chucho Valdes. …It’s just a matter of time before his name enters the jazz public’s consciousness.” -Matt Merewitz, All About Jazz
“The pianist’s writing and arranging is smart, tradition inspired Latin jazz with the emphasis on jazz chords and colours. It’s an addictive, sultry sound rich with concise improvisations that always tell a wise tale and tell it well” -Joseph Blake of The Times Colonist
"This is a musician that has his own voice. Both his compositions and his improvisations are evidence of this" - Dave Miele, Jazz Improv Magazine
FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on May 13, 2011.
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Your very basic pledge, thanks so much for your support! With this pledge you will be able to see updates as to how the project is coming along.
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DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE CD. You will receive a digital version (including PDF booklet) of the full “Afropean Affair" CD in a high quality mp3 format 4 months BEFORE it's availabie on iTunes. A fine pledge.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
GET THE ACTUAL CD! You will receive a physical copy of the “Afropean Affair" CD via postal mail 4 months BEFORE the official release. You will love the packaging and booklet. WBGO Radio host Sheila Anderson is writing the liner notes. A cool pledge.
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THE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE CD+ SHEET MUSIC - ONE SCORE: The Best of both worlds!
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AUTOGRAPHED CD: You will receive an autographed and dedicated to you physical copy of the “Afropean Affair" CD. A very nice pledge for all fans, friends and family!
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
GET 2 CDs: You will receive a physical copy of the “Afropean Affair" CD and a physical copy of our self-titled debut CD "Nuevo Comienzo". An Interesting pledge.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE CD + SHEET MUSIC - ONE SCORE AND PARTS. Score and Parts of 1 song. (Your Choice) You will receive the original Score and parts (PDF format) of one song from "Afropean Affair" via email. Perfect pledge for the adventurous jazz ensemble.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
GET 2 AUTOGRAPHED CDs! You will receive an autographed and dedicated to you physical copy of the “Afropean Affair” AND "Nuevo Comienzo" CDs. A really nice pledge!
Pledge $45 or more Pledge $45 or more
GET THE ACTUAL CD + SHEET MUSIC - ONE SCORE AND PARTS. A CD mailed to you and sheet music sent as PDF via email. Now it's getting interesting....
Pledge $55 or more Pledge $55 or more
CDs + DEMOS! A great pledge for musicians and aficionados. You will receive a physical copy of BOTH the “Afropean Affair" CD and our debut CD "Nuevo Comienzo", PLUS a CD with selelcted rehearsals of the songs on the CD. This is the ideal pledge for fans with some time on their hands!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
CDs + DEMOS + Video of raw footage from our Promotional Video! Another great pledge for musicians and aficionados You will receive a physical copy of BOTH the “Afropean Affair" CD and our debut CD "Nuevo Comienzo", PLUS a DVD and CD with selelcted rehearsals of the songs on the CDs. Also included: complete interviews with members of the band. A very unique pledge.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
GET MUSIC LESSON: A 1 hr music lesson with me (piano, improvisation, arranging, composing). I will come to you (in the NY/NJ Area) or Skype (anywhere else) and help you and your band with whatever you need! Also included: a physical copy of the "Afropean Affair" CD. The perfect pledge for musicians, their bands and music students!
Pledge $120 or more Pledge $120 or more
GET THE SHEET MUSIC: Score and Parts of ALL songs. You will receive the original scores and all the parts (PDF format) of the “Afropean Affair” CD via email. + a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE CD. Awesome pledge for the serious musician or teacher!
Pledge $130 or more Pledge $130 or more
GET THE SHEET MUSIC: Score and Parts of ALL songs. You will receive the original scores and all the parts (PDF format) of the “Afropean Affair” CD via email + a physical copy of the “Afropean Affair" CD via postal mail. An even more awesome pledge for the serious musician or teacher!
Pledge $175 or more Pledge $175 or more
SEE IT LIVE! 2 VIP first-row tickets to the CD release concert in NYC, Fall of 2011 (travel, food and drinks not included) PLUS a signed physical copy of the “Afropean Affair” CD. VIP pledge you'll be special!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
SEE IT LIVE! + REHEARSAL: 2 VIP first-row tickets to the CD release concert in NYC, Fall 2011 (travel, food and drinks not included), plus an invitation to attend the concert rehearsal, plus a physical copy of the “Afropean Affair” CD. The Insider's pledge!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
BE A SUPPORTER: All of the above + you will be listed as a “supporter” and your name will be on the "thank you" list on the booklet of the “Afropean Affair" CD. The ultimate pledge!
Project By
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Pianist Oscar Perez, a New York City native, has shared the stage with jazz legends Bunky Green, George Russell, and George Garzone. He received his formal education at New England Conservatory and Aaron Copland School of Music under the guidance of Danilo Perez and Sir Roland Hanna, respectively.
Since moving back to New York, he has spent recent years traveling and playing in the musical groups of trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Steve Turre, Saxophonist Bruce Williams and Mike Lee and trumpeters Nathan Ecklund and Eddie Allen's group Salongo.
Recent travels have included Colombia, South America; Costa Rica; the AgraJazz Festival on the Azores Islands of Portugal and a month long tour throughout Russia including Moscow and Siberia.
His close association with the Colden Center, the Juilliard School and Jazz at Lincoln Center has provided him many teaching and performance opportunities with some of the world’s most innovative musicians such as Victor Goines and Christian McBride.
His latest musical endeavor entitled NUEVO COMIENZO employs an instrumental quintet of extraordinary New York based artists. The sound draws from Latin and jazz music to explore innovative arrangements. The CD features guest artists Wycliffe Gordon and guitarist Peter Bernstein.
He is the recipient of the 2006 ASCAP/IAJE Commission in honor Of Billy Strayhorn. Oscar’s group featuring Antonio Hart premiered the work at the 2007 International Association of Jazz Education Convention. His latest project is the result of a New Works Grant by Chamber Music America for his septet aptly entitled Oscar Perez Nuevo Comienzo.
