AGE: 83 BORN PANAMA CITY 1926
OCCUPATION: MUSICIAN TROMBONIST/TRUMPET/EDUCATOR
http://www.blakemusicsystems.com/
Today he is a Historian of the highest order with very lucid and articulate accounts of the music and entertainment scene of Panama during that period. Speaking fluently in both Spanish & English he provides his audiences a tangible and realistic chronology of Panama's music history. The following provides a short list of his resume at that time.
RESUME:
PANAMANIAN BIG BANDS OF THE FORTIES/FIFTIES
Victor Boa
Clarence Martin
Armando Boza
Victor Paz
Marcelino Alvarez
Angelo Haspel
CASCARITA
Beny More
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ALEX BLAKE II
http://alexblake.info/
AGE: 56
BORN 1951 PANAMA CITY
In addition to his expansive resume of performances/tours/recordings with the greatest names in music, including and not limited to: Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Betty Carter, Nancy Wilson, Manhattan Transfer, Stan Getz, Jimmy Buffet, Billy Cobham, Harry Belafonte, Sonny Rollins, Earl Klugh, and so many more.
His experiences in Latin music is equally impressive having performed/toured/recorded with but not limited to: Tito Puente, Machito Y Su Orquesta, Celia Cruz, Patato Valdez, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barreto, Charlie Palmieri,
Alex was a major contributor to the success of the Third Annual Panama Jazz Festival as Bassist with the Randy Weston Trio.
For sample performance's by Alex Blake please click on the links below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPFUHsvpSkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y4Zllk7oeM&feature=related
http://www.alexblake.info/
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RUSSEL BLAKE
http://web.mac.com/thestrength
As a Educator he has taught as a Adjunct Professor of Electrical Bass Studies at five universities across the country. He is the creator of “The Universal Language Music History & Cultural Programme" of which Mr Blake has taught a variety of audiences from Kindergarten - High Schools, Colleges, Universities, Senior Centers, Libraries, Prisons, Hospitals, Military Installations & Art Galleries about the history of Music. He has been contracted by the US State Department to perform as a Ambassador Of Goodwill to Eight West African Nations. He has also been contracted to teach/perform by the US Defense Department’s “Defense Advanced Research Agency”. He is also a recipient of the Kellogg Foundaton’s prestigious Artist In Residency Award.
As a Concert Soloist, Russel has and continues to perform all over the world. He has developed a unique ability on the Four String Electric Bass which he calls the Melodius-Chordal Technique. He currently has 432 pieces within his repertoire encompassing Classical, Spanish Classical, Traditional Jazz, Classical, Brazilian, Opera, Latin & Pop Music Idioms.
As a Bassist a short list of whom he has performed/toured/recorded with includes: Sonny Rollins, Chaka Khan, Pharoah Sanders, Brenda Russell, Hugh Masakela, Cybill Shepherd, The Lion King on Broadway NYC, Dreamgirls on Broadway NYC, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridegwater, Harry Belafonte, Gil Evans, Sam Rivers, Melba Moore, Gloria Gaynor, Clark Terry and Mary Wells.
His experience in Latin Music includes but is not limited to performances/tours/recordings with: Alex Y Su Orquesta, Machito Y Su Orquesta, Rafael Cortijo (Founder of El Gran Combo), Hilton Ruiz, Jorge Dalto, Dave Valentin, Michel Camillo, Paquito D' Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Alex Acuna, Pappo Lucca, etc;..
In closing: The Blake Family would provide a very unique highlight to the Panama Jazz Festival in both Education and Performance. With History seminars by the Elder Mr. Blake to Duo and Solo Concert performance's from both Alex Blake II & Russel Blake, the experience would truly add a dynamic component every Panamanian could be proud of.
For sample performances by Russel Blake please click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/russelblake
http://www.myspace.com/russelblake
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/russelblake
http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-20300.html
Publicado por Leonardo Díaz












Panama Jazz Festival 2010 ha sido un proyecto mas grande que en otros años.



Hernández dirigirá un coloquio sobre el origen de los principales diseños rítmicos afrocubanos que influyeron en el desarrollo de los géneros musicales cubanos, como la clave cubana, de reconocida existencia desde 1836 dentro de la sociedad secreta de hombres conocida como Abakuá, en un evento organizado por el Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INAC) de Panamá.
- Boquete (Chiriquí), Panamá - El encantador y siempre verde Valle de Boquete será la sede del Jazz del 15 al 17 de febrero con la segunda versión del Boquete Jazz Festival. Este festival nace de la iniciativa de ofrecer tanto a locales y extranjeros buena música y de la mano de artistas nacionales e internacionales. El festival también es una vitrina para el talento local chiricano, que día a día van mejorando su calidad musical.