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MARACA & HIS LATIN JAZZ ALL STARS
Cuban phenom Orlando “Maraca” Valle began playing the flute at age 10 and has since taken his instrument to 41 countries to expose the world to his innovative and exhilarating style. Slated for the stage of The Signature Jazz Cruise in 2015, the flutist will showcase skills that have him dominating the Latin and Afro-Cuban music scene, from salsa to Latin Jazz. Following six years as flutist, keyboardist and arranger for popular Cuban band Irakere, Maraca went solo in 1994 and has released nearly a dozen albums. His 2003 release, Tremenda Rumba, reached the top 15 on Billboard’s Tropical Album chart and was nominated for a Grammy® Award. As director of the 12-member group, Maraca & His Latin Jazz All Stars, he exhibits an energy and repertoire that enthralls audiences. Maraca has performed at internationally renowned venues including the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the House of Music in Moscow and the Athens Opera House in Greece and collaborated with the likes of Cesaria Evora, Leonid Agutin, Cubanismo, the Afro-Cuban All–Stars, Orlando Poleo, Nora, Amadito Valdès, Yumuri, Monique Seka and many others.
MONTY ALEXANDER
Internationally Loved Jazz Pianist
For Jamaican native Monty Alexander, piano lessons at age 6 followed by Louis Armstrong and Nat “King” Cole concerts as a teen largely shaped him into the jazz pianist he is today. With Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis among his earliest admirers, Monty went on to collaborate with greats like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Between worldwide tours of jazz clubs, concert halls and international jazz festivals, the internationally beloved pianist has amassed 70 records and endless accolades, including Jamaica’s Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services as a worldwide music ambassador; the prestigious German Jazz Trophy, “A Life for Jazz;” and the Caribbean American Heritage Luminary Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C.
ELIANE ELIAS
(Barcelona) Brilliant Brazilian Pianist/Vocalist
Brazilian jazz pianist, singer, composer and arranger Eliane Elias will take Barcelona by storm when The Signature Jazz Cruise 2015 disembarks for a special land concert in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. As frontwoman Eliane Elias, the five-time Grammy® nominee counts four “Gold Disc Awards and three “Best Vocal Album” wins in Japan as well as a No. 1 ranking in sales and radio in France among her notable accomplishments. Eliane’s uniquely original style melds her Brazilian roots and sensuous, alluring voice with her impressive instrumental jazz, classical and compositional skills. With 23 albums to her name, Eliane’s latest recording, “I Thought About You (A Tribute To Chet Baker),” soared to No. 1 on Amazon, No. 2 on iTunes and No. 4 on the Billboard Jazz Chart.
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