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PanAmerican Project
We are pleased to present these four excellent musicians in our theater.
As a longtime member of the “Orquestra Jazz Sinfonica do Estado de São Paulo,” Brazilian percussionist, drummer and educator Rogério Boccato has played with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Milton Nascimento, Cláudio Roditi, Egberto Gismonti, João Bosco, Joe Zawinul, among many others. Recently relocated from São Paulo to the New York area, Rogerio is featured on percussion on Kenny Garrett’s 2006 Grammy-nominated album, ("Beyond the Wall" - Nonesuch Records). As a sideman he has played with Steve Davis, David Berkman, Dena DeRose, Paul Bollenback, Jimmy Greene, Ben Allison, and with top ranking Brazilian artists, such as Toninho Horta, Dori Caymmi, Moacir Santos, Rique Pantoja, Jane Duboc, Arismar do Espírito Santo, Nailor Proveta, among others. Rogerio Boccato is currently a percussion faculty member of The Hartt School (University of Hartford) and of the Queens College in NYC.
Kris Allen is a saxophonist, composer and educator, who was born and raised in the Hartford, Connecticut, area. While still in high school his talents began to attract widespread attention, as he was twice named to the Grammy All American High School Jazz Band. Kris went on to earn music degrees at The Hartt School and Purchase Conservatory, and has subsequently performed alongside and/or recorded with many jazz legends such as Illinois Jacqet, Gerald Wilson and Curtis Fuller, as well as modern stars such as Steve Davis, Andy Laverne and Kevin Mahogany. He is a faculty member of Trinity College, and the Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Music School. Kris is featured on the recently released Jam Session Volume 15 on the Steeplechase label.
Zaccai Curtis has been performing since the age of five. As a young child, he studied many styles of music including all forms of jazz, salsa, classical. As a high school student, Zaccai earned many musical awards from festivals, was recognized by DownBeat as a top performer, and chosen as the pianist for the National Grammy Band small combo. Zaccai now focuses on his quartet and on his seven-piece band Insight. In the seven years that Insight has been together, they have traveled across the U.S. touring in California and headlining in such Jazz Festivals in San Jose, Oklahoma, Hartford, and Cuba, to name a few. Along with his work with Insight, Zaccai performs with the Ralph Peterson septet and trio, Bill Saxton, Christian Scott, Brian Lynch, Sean Jones, Jimmy Greene, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, Papo Vasquez, Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Orchestra, and Donald Harrison Quintet. Zaccai graduated from the New England Conservatory and in 2007 was awarded the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism's Artist Fellowship for original composition.
Luques Curtis started performing at a very young age. He had studied the piano, violin, cello, and tumbadoras before settling with the upright bass. Before he entered high school, he performed with the great Jesus Chucho Valdes on baby bass in a Manhattan club. Luques is a graduate of Berklee in Boston and has developed a reputation as one of the most versatile bass players. In addition to his work with Insight, he is performing worldwide with the Donald Harrison Quintet, the Ralph Peterson Sextet, Gary Burton Quintet, and the Christian Scott group. He has studied with great bassists such as Dave Santoro, Andy Gonzalez, Carlos Del Puerto, John Lockwood, Ron Mahdee, Mickey Bass and Volkan Orhan. Luques is currently the bass player for Gary Burton's newest incarnation of the Generations band, and both his playing and composing is featured on group's crticially-acclaimed CD, Next Generation.