Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts

Don Soledad headlines at Blue Bamboo Wednesday 11/29 and Thursday 11/30

Journey to Southern Spain and beyond with guitarist Don Soledad, presenting flamenco, jazz, and Latin music. With Tanner Johnson on violin, Josip Zambrano on percussion. and featuring flamenco dancer Briana Small.

Inspired by the guitar of flamenco legend Paco de Lucia, Don Soledad cultivated his sophisticated, soulful sounds in Northern California. His dedication to the art of flamenco guitar started under the tutelage of flamenco maestros Mariano de Cordobá and Agustin Ríos, and continued in Andalucía, Spain with guitarist Juan Diego Mateos. Soon thereafter, he was performing shows in San Francisco and the Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries. Upon his departure from the West Coast, Don has been a mainstay in the Florida and US professional talent pool. Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/don-soledad for more on Don Soledad.

John Olearchick is an Orlando based pianist and music educator. He has performed with notable groups like the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Space Coast Symphony and the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra. John is an adjunct instructor of music at Valencia Community College, and a collaborative pianist at Rollins College.

This ticket link only for Wed. 11/29 @ 8 PM show

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

Don Soledad headlines at Blue Bamboo Wednesday 11/29 and Thursday 11/30

Journey to Southern Spain and beyond with guitarist Don Soledad, presenting flamenco, jazz, and Latin music. With Jose Rodriguez on violin, Justin Steger on percussion. and featuring flamenco dancer Laura Pirela.

Inspired by the guitar of flamenco legend Paco de Lucia, Don Soledad cultivated his sophisticated, soulful sounds in Northern California. His dedication to the art of flamenco guitar started under the tutelage of flamenco maestros Mariano de Cordobá and Agustin Ríos, and continued in Andalucía, Spain with guitarist Juan Diego Mateos. Soon thereafter, he was performing shows in San Francisco and the Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries. Upon his departure from the West Coast, Don has been a mainstay in the Florida and US professional talent pool. Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/don-soledad for more on Don Soledad.

John Olearchick is an Orlando based pianist and music educator. He has performed with notable groups like the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Space Coast Symphony and the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra. John is an adjunct instructor of music at Valencia Community College, and a collaborative pianist at Rollins College.

This ticket link only for Thurs. 11/30 @ 8 PM show

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

In his most intimate and festive performance offering, Orlando local singer, dancer and guitarist Solomon Jaye brings a jazz twist to Christmas!

Join us as we ring in the holidays with some extra soul as Solomon and his band of insanely talented local instrumentalists perform some of your favorite songs in a way you’ve not heard or seen them before. With John Olearchick - piano, Tom Dietz - sax, John Warcholak - bass, John Ifrat - guitar, and Greg Parnell - drums.

There is never a dull moment in a Solomon Jaye show. In the spirit of the season you’ll hear some favorite Christmas tunes and perhaps some you haven’t heard before as Solomon leads you into the holidays tap dancing all the way. Bring your friends and family and be ready to laugh, smile, and sing along.

To read more about Solomon, and view videos, visit - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/solomon-jaye

https://www.solomonjaye.com

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

For more than 10 years Nicole Darden Creston has been there for you through central Florida’s biggest news events, as host of Morning Edition and All Things Considered for WMFE, the region’s flagship NPR station.

With poise and grace, Creston has talked you through a historic pandemic and unprecedented presidential election in 2020. She also has narrated radio coverage of hurricanes, floods and much else, including the Pulse mass shooting in 2016, at the time the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

You know her as Nicole Darden Creston. But to us, her former WMFE colleagues, she is Nikki, a dear friend who has been there through our own dark times. Now she needs our help.

Nikki suffers from an auto-immune disorder that has left her vulnerable to a multitude of health problems, the latest one called SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. SIBO is a rare condition where bad bacteria in the digestive tract process food before the body itself can, denying the body of nutrients and fuel and instead generating waste products that can cause nonstop gastrointestinal distress and pain.

For Nikki, the condition has led to a grueling and expensive battle against malnutrition that has left her severely debilitated. If you are wondering why you have not heard her for a while on the radio, this is why.

The financial strain the illness has caused represents only the beginning of the challenges ahead of Nikki, but it is where we can help.

Julian will perform a solo show with special guests, and proceeds will go toward Nikki's medical expenses.

Join us as trumpeter John DePaola and saxophonist/arranger Dave MacKenzie present another fabulous show at Blue Bamboo! The duo's off the cuff interactions and playful improvisations will be on full display in this “Unscripted” program.

With Bob Thornton on piano, Charlie Silva on bass, and Walt Hubbard on drums.

Program note from Chris Cortez - CEO Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts

"John DePaola and Dave Mackenzie are well known to Blue Bamboo audiences. Separately or together, they are first call for anyone needing the best horn section anywhere. We have featured their classic front line duo of trumpet and sax many times, always in the company of a fabulous rhythm section. For this "Unscripted" show, I challenged John and Dave to perform their favorite classic songs without either of them using sheet music... I know it will be amazing, and I can’t wait."

Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/john-depaola-quintet to learn more about John and the group, and view photos and videos.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

John Redfield is an innovative, virtuosic pianist. His rapid-fire playing technique is dazzling, but he also plays melodically and with sensitivity. In John’s playing you can hear the influences of masters like Oscar Peterson and Wynton Kelly, and also stride piano legends like Art Tatum.

John has an impressive resume that includes working extensively in the Chicago area with Peggy Lee, Bobby Vinton, Steve Allen, Terry Gibbs, Louis Bellson, Ed Thigpen, Milt Jackson, Cab Calloway, and playing in Bill Porter's band at the Chicago Fairmont Hotel. After moving to Florida, John was a regular performer at the Grand Bohemian in downtown Orlando.

John will be joined by Doug Mathews on bass and Walt Hubbard on drums for a concert featuring jazz standards and John's original compositions.

To learn more about John, and view photos and videos, click here - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/john-redfield-trio

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

Jack Graham headlines at Blue Bamboo Friday 12/8 and Saturday 12/9

Friday 12/8 features an opening act by singer-songwriter Patrick Hagerman.

Guitarist Jack Graham is well known to fans of the Blue Bamboo, Living Room Theatre, and Pechakucha. His music is always thoughtful, inspiring, full of humor, and most of all LOVE. Jack plays Finger-style solos from the favorite parts of his life, mixed in with pop, jazz, or comedy songs that have special meaning to him. His history is a mix of 60's and 70's teenage band experiences, Classical Guitar study, and lots of backyards and firesides. Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/jack-graham-and-friends to learn more about Jack, and view photos and videos.

Patrick Hagerman is a songwriter from Springfield, IL currently based in Sanford, FL with over 20 years of experience playing live music. Patrick's songs are about his journey as a musician, and he writes poignantly about the ups and downs of life that have brought him to where he is now. Patrick says that one of the most important things for him as an artist is helping others get through their own struggles by sharing his experiences through music. Visit Patrick's website - https://hagermanmusic.com/

This ticket link only for the Fri. 12/8 show

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

Jack Graham headlines at Blue Bamboo Friday 12/8 and Saturday 12/9

Saturday 12/9 features an opening act by Ka Malinalli.

Guitarist Jack Graham is well known to fans of the Blue Bamboo, Living Room Theatre, and Pechakucha. His music is always thoughtful, inspiring, full of humor, and most of all LOVE. Jack plays Finger-style solos from the favorite parts of his life, mixed in with pop, jazz, or comedy songs that have special meaning to him. His history is a mix of 60's and 70's teenage band experiences, Classical Guitar study, and lots of backyards and firesides. Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/jack-graham-and-friends to learn more about Jack, and view photos and videos.

Ka Malinalli is a musician and visual artist based in Central Florida. She composes songs of hope, compassion, love and social injustice. In 2021 she was showcased on WUCF public television as a featured artist for the Melrose in the Mix series produced by the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center. Ka has led and facilitated classes and workshops since 2003, collaborating with local community organizations such as Osceola Arts, Orlando Museum of Art, Orange County Regional History Center, Simple Living Institute, Collectivo Arbol, and Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society, among others. She has been an active member of the Swamp Sistas grass roots community since 2013 and participates regularly as part of the organization's performance collective.

This ticket link only for the Sat. 12/9 show

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

The Central Florida Jazz Society Presents Carol Stein & Friends!

Carol Stein is an acclaimed pianist, entertainer, vocalist, and composer. She performs across an impressive variety of musical genres, from jazz, classical, cabarets, musicals, and pub songs. Her travels as a musician have spanned the globe performing all over Europe, Asia, and the USA in such places as the Montreux Palace in Switzerland, The Bayerischerhof in Munich, The Oasis Lounge in Hong Kong, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida where Carol spent many years entertaining as the resident EPCOT pianist.

Carol enjoys composing and spontaneous arranging of pieces during a live performance. She may take a child’s melody and turn it “inside-out” in the style of Mozart, and then into a bossa nova, and end up with a Duke Ellington swing. She always likes to add a special touch to each piece she plays, which is one reason she enjoys singing and playing as a solo pianist. However, the delight of performing with a group and the “magic” that occurs when musicians create a sound together is why Carol adores performing with her jazz band “Carol Stein & Friends!

More about Carol - https://carolstein.com/

More about the Central Florida Jazz Society - https://www.centralfloridajazzsociety.com/

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

Presented by award-winning pianist Dr. Zachary Bartholomew and his trio, experience an interactive and informative concert of everybody's favorite holiday music, featuring the compositions and arrangements of jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. In addition to enjoying a world-class musical performance, audiences will learn more about Guaraldi's music, life, and musical involvement with a Charlie Brown Christmas. This is a must-see holiday concert event!

Dr. Zachary Bartholomew is a pianist, composer, and music educator who maintains an active performance career as one of the most heavily sought-after pianists, accompanists, and sidemen in Florida. He has headlined national and international jazz festivals, toured across the country, and has placed as a top three finalist in the highly acclaimed Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition on two separate occasions. He is the pianist in the Gulf Coast Symphony’s Jazz Collective, the Lake Wales Jazz Connection, and regularly performs with professional organizations such as the Naples Philharmonic and Sarasota Pops Orchestra.

Additionally, Zach is a full-time professor at Florida Memorial University and is actively involved in music education and outreach.

To read more, and view photos and videos, visit - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/zachary-bartholomew-trio

Greg Diaz is an accomplished flutist, saxophonist, vocalist, composer, and arranger who has toured and performed with Ben E. King, Jon Secada, Gonzalo Rubacaba, Ira Sullivan, Phil Woods, and many others. His Art Of Imagination groups range from a quartet to a full jazz orchestra, performing a signature mix of original compositions and re-orchestrated jazz and pop standards.

Greg's Art of Imagination programs will feature a wide range of both instrumental and vocal jazz standards, original compositions, and revamped pop tunes inspired by Eddie Harris, Wayne Shorter, Les McCann, Ray Charles, Mel Torme, James Taylor, Burt Bacharach, and others.

Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/greg-diaz-and-the-art-of-imagination-quartet for more about Greg Diaz.

John Redfield is an innovative pianist, with a dazzling rapid-fire technique. In John’s playing you can hear the influences of masters like Oscar Peterson and Wynton Kelly, and also stride piano legends like Art Tatum. Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/john-redfield-trio for more about John.

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

The Orlando Jazz Orchestra presents Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite" and other Holiday favorites!

One of the most polished, professional big bands you will hear anywhere, the Orlando Jazz Orchestra features the best musicians our area has to offer. Led by the talented drummer Greg Parnell, OJO shows are filled with wonderful music, and informed by Greg's fascinating presentations about the history of each tune. Greg Parnell is the former road manager and drummer for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has also performed with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Les Brown’s Band of Renown, Nelson Riddle Orchestra as well as many other bands.

Visit https://bluebambooartcenter.com/orlando-jazz-orchestra for more about the OJO.

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

Suzy Park is a dynamic vocalist, whose personality shines brightly from the stage between her powerful choruses, and nimble scatting solos. Her programs include innovative and fun arrangements, typically by bassist Chuck Archard, of popular music like you've never heard it before.

Suzy has been a member of the famed Disney’s Voices of Liberty, The Girlfriends at the Hyatt Grand Cypress, and the jazz vocal ensemble American Vybe at EPCOT. She performed with Salsa artist Tito Nieves for many years, and has appeared at numerous jazz clubs and festivals throughout Florida, including the Pleasure Island Jazz Company, Sunfest, the Lynx Jazz Festival, Timpano’s, and the Grand Bohemian.

To read more about Suzy, and view photos and videos, visit - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/suzy-park-quartet

All ticket sales are final. Refunds are allowed only if the event is cancelled.

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts presents a monthly series of concerts at the Winter Park Library! Please note that this show is being held at the Winter Park Library, in conjunction with Blue Bamboo. Check out the other events in this series - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/bamboo-goes-to-the-library

Eddie Marshall is a perennial favorite at Blue Bamboo. He leads our house big band, and his own amazing trio featuring Terry Brads on guitar, and Jeff Green on bass. Eddie's trio presents a mix of jazz from the great American songbook, popular favorites and originals.

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts presents a monthly series of concerts at the Winter Park Library! Please note that this show is being held at the Winter Park Library in conjunction with Blue Bamboo. Check out the other events in our Bamboo Goes to the Library series - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/bamboo-goes-to-the-library

Terri Binion is Orlando Americana Royalty. She is an authentic Southern singer-songwriter and guitarist, whose unflinchingly honest stories sung in her clear voice can just about pierce your heart.

Singer-songwriter, visual artist, and author Jim White wrote of a track on her 2002 album "Fool": "It was a discreet portrait of a poor lost soul, a destitute southern woman, an archetype. By the end I was in tears. It was that true, that beautiful, that perfectly wrought. Just Terri and an acoustic guitar. Two songs in and it was clear, […] Terri was a magic person - someone who not only followed her own compass, but who was guided by stars not visible to the average eye."

http://www.terribinionmusic.com/

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts presents a monthly series of concerts at the Winter Park Library! Please note that this show is being held at the Winter Park Library, in conjunction with Blue Bamboo. Check out the other events in this series - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/bamboo-goes-to-the-library

Chris Cortez is the founder of Blue Bamboo Music and Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts. He is a composer, guitarist, vocalist, arranger, producer, engineer, videographer, educator, community leader, arts advocate, and recording artist. He has produced over 50 CDs and hundreds of music videos.

Chris’ guitar style is uniquely his own, and his vocabulary is instantly recognizable to fans of his previous work. Growth and evolution are obvious, but Cortez still sounds like Cortez. There is a compositional feeling in his solos, and a relentless sense of meter and precision. Themes unfold with an emotional arc that takes you on a journey, and his songs provide the perfect backdrop for that kind of development. There is a landscape to explore with plenty surprises, but everything makes sense and seems filled with intention.

Chris’ solo shows are also filled with lively and entertaining stories from his show business past.

More about Chris Cortez - https://bluebamboomusic.net/chris-cortez

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts presents a monthly series of concerts at the Winter Park Library! Please note that this show is being held at the Winter Park Library, in conjunction with Blue Bamboo. Check out the other events in this series - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/bamboo-goes-to-the-library

Guitarist Don Soledad presents “Arte y Pasión” (Art and Passion) – an evening of flamenco. His amazing quartet featuring virtuosic musicians and a flamenco dancer will take you on a journey to Southern Spain and beyond.

"Arte y Pasión" features original compositions from Soledad’s albums, alongside compositions by artists like Michel Camilo, Tomatito, Astor Piazzolla, and Chick Corea, as well as other surprises.

Guitarist and recording artist Don Soledad has been a mainstay in the US and Florida talent pool since his move from the San Francisco Bay Area. His dedication to the art of flamenco guitar started under the tutelage of flamenco guitar maestros living in the US, as well as in Andalucia, Spain. Performance highlights include; opening for Jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell, stints at the Versace Mansion in South Beach, and performing for Gloria Estefan’s private parties as well as being the house band for 5 years at the Estefan’s resort Costa d’Este in Vero Beach.

More about Don Soledad - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/don-soledad

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts presents a monthly series of concerts at the Winter Park Library! Please note that this show is being held at the Winter Park Library, in conjunction with Blue Bamboo. Check out the other events in this series - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/bamboo-goes-to-the-library

Orilla (O-ree-yah) is co-led by the Catalan-Spanish singer/multi-instrumentalist Ona Kirei and Colombian-American bassist Alejandro Arenas.

Like the meaning of the Spanish word "orilla" (where the ocean meets the sand), the combination of these two accomplished musicians produces a rich musical ecosystem. Latino and European roots mix with American culture giving way to a uniquely creative multicultural sound. Orilla captivates audiences with their warm, vibrant, and expressive sound, varied repertoire, and outstanding musical skills.

More about Orilla - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/orilla

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts presents a monthly series of concerts at the Winter Park Library! Please note that this show is being held at the Winter Park Library, in conjunction with Blue Bamboo. Check out the other events in this series - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/bamboo-goes-to-the-library

International Brazilian music star Daniela Soledade and virtuoso guitarist Nate Najar transport you to tropical Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with an intimate evening of Bossa Nova music.

Rio de Janeiro native Daniela Soledade is a rising star among legends in the Brazilian music scene. An heir to the throne of Bossa Nova, Soledade is highly acclaimed for her poignantly expressive vocal style and hyper-intimate aesthetic. Her debut album, “A Moment of You” was released in 2019 on Blue Line Music Records, and her second full-length album "Pretty World" was released in 2022.

Nate Najar is one of this decade’s finest modern jazz guitarists. He is a player who uses a distinctive technique to convey his artistic prowess, and the result is music that is swinging, emotional, and inventive. Rick Andersen of the All Music Guide called Nate "one of the most consistently interesting and stylish young guitarists on the jazz scene…".

More about Nate and Daniela - https://bluebambooartcenter.com/daniela-soledade-and-nate-najar