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  Vince Mendoza

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  Vince Mendoza has been at the forefront of the jazz and contemporary music scene as a composer, conductor and recording artist for the last 20 years. According to All about Jazz Mendoza “daringly expands the vernacular by including elements of abstract impressionism, romanticism and a highly onorthodox palette to position him as the clear and natural successor to the late Gil Evans.” He has written scores of compositions and arrangements for big band, extended compositions for chamber and symphonic settings while his jazz composing credits read like a “who's who” of the best modern instrumentalists and singers in the world today.
  
  Mendoza was recognized as 'Best Composer/Arranger' by Swing Journal's critics poll in Japan. His CD "Epiphany" features his compositions played by the London Symphony Orchestra “El Viento” and “Jazzpaña” further pushed the boundaries of Jazz and Flamenco Music. His new album, “Nights on Earth” features Mendoza compositions arranged for small and large ensembles, with guest appearances by Luciana Souza, Malian vocalist Tom Diakite and musicians from Spain, Africa and Brazil.
  
  Mendoza's arranging has appeared on many critically acclaimed projects that include dozens of albums with song writing legends such as Björk, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, Melody Gardot, Sting and Joni Mitchell. He has 6 Grammy awards and 25 nominations.
  
  Mendoza is the music director and chief conductor of the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra. In addition, he appears frequently as a guest conductor with orchestras throughout Europe, the U.S., Japan, Scandinavia and the U.K.
  
  Mendoza has also written commissioned compositions and arrangements for the Turtle Island String Quartet, the Chicaco Symphony, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the Metropole Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, West Deutsche Rundfunk and the BBC. His music was featured at the Berlin Jazz Festival. He has performed at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals.
  
  Further information and discography available online at www.vincemendoza.net.

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  Luciana Souza

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  Grammy winner Luciana Souza is one of Jazz’s leading singers and interpreters. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, in the late sixties, she grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators - her father, a singer and songwriter, her mother, a poet and lyricist. Luciana’s work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to new music.

  As a leader, Luciana Souza has been releasing acclaimed recordings since 2002 - including her six Grammy nominated records Brazilian Duos, North and South, Duos II, Tide, Duos III, and The Book of Chet. Her debut recording for Universal, The New Bossa Nova, was produced by her husband, Larry Klein, and was met with widespread critical acclaim. Luciana’s recordings also include two works based on poetry - The Poems of ElizabethBishop And Other Songs, and Neruda.

  Speaking in Tongues, a collaboration with Lionel Loueke, Grégoire Maret, Massimo Biolcati and Kendrick Scott, also produced by Larry Klein. The recording is comprised of all original music and features Luciana’s musical setting of two poems by Leonard Cohen.

  Ms. Souza has performed and recorded with greats including Herbie Hancock (on his Grammy winning record,River – The Joni Letters), Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider, Danilo Perez and many others. Her longstanding duo work with Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo has earned her accolades across the globe, and her complete discography contains more than 50 records as a side singer. Luciana Souza’s singing has been called "transcendental, "perfect, " and of "unparalleled beauty. " Entertainment Weekly writes, "Her voice traces a landscape of emotion that knows no boundaries. "

  Luciana Souza has been a prominent soloist in two important works by composer Osvaldo Golijov – La PasionAccording to St. Mark, and Oceana. She has performed with the Bach Akademie Stuttgart, the Boston SymphonyOrchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Other orchestral appearances include performances with the New YorkPhilharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and theAmerican Composers Orchestra. Her work in chamber music includes a fruitful collaboration with the Los AngelesGuitar Quartet and with composers Derek Bermel and Patrick Zimmerli.

  Ms. Souza began her recording career at age three with a radio commercial, and recorded more than 200 jinglesand soundtracks, becoming a first-call studio veteran at age sixteen. She spent four years on faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she received a Bachelor's in Jazz Composition. Ms. Souza earned a Master's degree in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory of Music and taught for four years at Manhattan School ofMusic, in New York City. From 2005 to 2010, Luciana was the Jazz Artist in Residence with the prestigious SanFrancisco Performances. In 2005 and 2013 Luciana was awarded Best Female Jazz Singer by the Jazz Journalists Association.

  Billboard magazine has said of Luciana: “she continues her captivating journey as a uniquely talented vocalist who organically crosses genre borders. Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates...”

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  Frost Concert Jazz Band

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  The award-winning Frost Concert Jazz Band is renowned for its outstanding musicianship, inspired performances, soloists, and well-crafted original arrangements. Under the direction of Dr. John Daversa, the large jazz ensemble continues its storied history into a new era. Theensemble has won countless Downbeat Student Music Awards throughout its history, including “Outstanding Performance” and “Best Graduate Large Ensemble”.
  
  Most recently, Frost CJB was awarded 1st place in the College Big Band Division at the 2014 and 2016 Next Generation Jazz Festivals and subsequently invited to perform at Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA. In December 2017, Frost CJB partnered with ArtistShare/BFM Jazz to release the album Europa, featuring large jazz ensemble works influenced by European composers.
  
  The band has numerous tours, recordings and prestigious collaborations to its credit. Recent guest artists include: Ignacio Berroa, David Binney, Terence Blanchard, Ronnie Cuber, Jon Faddis, Alan Ferber, Jimmy Heath, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Vince Mendoza, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Maria Schneider.

  https://jazz.frost.miami.edu/about/ensembles/frost-concert-jazz-band/index.html