BANDS
ABEL MIRELES GROUP
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Image courtesy of Chris Drukker
The Abel Mireles Group brings a vast cultural background of professional musicians who have masterfully balanced and blended the often-contradictory poles of innovation and tradition in Jazz. The group will be releasing their first album which draws from the traditional music style of his home country and jazz. Abel Mireles Group brings integrity, energy, poise, and a fresh vision with his own compositions and arrangements. Abel joins efforts with Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzales, Miami native drummer E.J. Strickland, and Colorado native bassist Myles Sloniker to present a new perspective of the music informed by all of their cultural influences.
THE JAZZ EXCHANGE BIG BAND
Image courtesy of Chris Drukker
The Jazz Exchange Band is an ensemble comprised of professional musicians committed to proving an excellent performance on any given occasion. The members of the band count with many years of experience in the music industry in NY and NJ as well as professional studies in some of the best educational institutions in the country and around the world. This provides the music with a vast array of influences and possibilities focused to provide audiences with world-class performance. The repertoire of the band ranges all the way from swing, big band, bebop, bossa nova, funk, soul, and many more, offering a wide range of styles for any given event. The band can provide music for a listening audience in a concert format, as well as dance music for any special occasion in a broad range of settings such as festivals, hotels, convention centers, galleries, local venues, halls, and theaters.
JAZZ HOUSE FACULTY COLLECTIVE
Image courtesy of Jazz House kIds
Jazz House Faculty Collective Big Band is a group of local musicians, educators, and touring artists from the Tri-State area. Performing at the annual Montclair Jazz Festival and Jazz House Kids Summer Workshops. Abel Mireles has been part of the Jazz House Faculty Collective Big Band since 2018 and has performed at the annual Montclair Jazz Festival.
Image courtesy of Chris Drukker
CANDICE REYES QUINTET
Candice Reyes Quintet an acclaimed jazz vocalist and recording artist from El Paso, Tx, Candice Reyes has gained a reputation as an active Hispanic jazz vocalist in both the East and West coast. Their latest album produced and arranged by Abel Mireles "Your Way" features an incredible cast of musicians including special guest six-time GRAMMY award winner and renowned jazz bassist Christian McBride and GRAMMY nominee lead trumpeter Nathan Eklund as amazing collaborators and the Candice Reyes Quintet. Reyes's record of "Your Way" sheds light on the emotional impact of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change in its most natural form.
STEVE OQUENDO
LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
With roots in all five boroughs of New York City and beyond, The Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra prides themselves on playing Latin and Straight Ahead Jazz standards with a fresh style. Since their premiere performance during the Summer of 2009 The Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra continues to impress and entertain audiences wherever they play. Led by distinguished trumpet player and music educator, Steven Oquendo, the orchestra is made up of 18 superbly talented guardians of the jazz tradition.
SIDEMAN & SPECIAL PROJECTS
RAY CHEW AND THE CREW
Music Director/Producer/Composer Ray Chew’s work can be found across multiple networks in various TV offerings, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. The sounds of the much sought-after Maestro were on full display during the inaugural season of Fox’s new ratings juggernaut “I Can See Your Voice” – the Ken Jeong helmed musical game show that took the top spot as America’s #1 new unscripted series of 2020. Season 2 of the hit series premieres on FOX on January 5th, 2022!
Abel has been featured on national TV work for NBC under the musical director and producer of Ray Chew for "Christmas at Rockefeller Center" working with artists such as John Legend, Martina McBride, Auli'i Cravalho. Along with "Showtime at the Apollo" Also performing in iconic and historical theaters and clubs in the New York City area such as Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater,
RADAM SCHWARTZ
ORGAN BIG BAND
One of the pacesetters of the jazz organ, Schwartz teams up with drummer David F. Gibson and the Abel Mireles Jazz Exchange Big Band for one of the most swinging and grooving big band albums of the year.
While a few organists have recorded with big bands (including Jimmy Smith with Oliver Nelson), Schwartz remembers Richard “Groove” Holmes’ collaboration with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. On two of the songs from their album, Holmes took care of playing the bass parts. Seeking to build upon the idea, Radam Schwartz, who is joined by Abel Mireles’ Jazz Exchange Orchestra, has become the first organist to play all of the bass lines throughout an entire big band album. He named his new Arabesque release Message From Groove And G.W. after the Holmes/Wilson album. In addition to his organ playing, Schwartz contributed three originals and five of the ten arrangements to the project. He was wise to utilize the Mireles’ big band for the orchestra is comprised of talented improvisers, 12 of the 13 musicians have opportunities to take concise solos, and their ensembles are filled with plenty of spirits.
REGGIE YOUNG BAND
Reggie Young, the bassist is known for his powerful groove and unique fingerstyle, Grammy-winner Reggie Young has long been a go-to session bassist for the gospel, funk, and R&B scenes. Early in his career, he made an international name for himself cutting dozens of records for well-known gospel artists. Branching out, he’s gone on to work with well-known performers like Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Paul Shaffer, Stevie Wonder, and Will.i.am. Young’s got a steady gig as well, serving as the bassist for the house band of the renowned Apollo Theater in New York City since 2011.
Abel has performed with Reggie Young at the Cutting Room in NYC, attended NAMM in L.A. with Reggie Young and Fodera Bass, and several public events.
PLACE SPACE PROJECT
The Place/Space Project entered the recording studio in June of 2011, and the result is an extremely strong and unique set of songs that reflect the group's desire to delve into musical territory rarely explored by musicians in the southwest. The album features 6 original compositions/ ensemble collaborations, and 2 classics from the modern jazz world.