$25 / 3:45 doors / 4pm start / seated
Peruvian born drummer, percussionist and composer, Jorge Perez-Albela is presenting an unforgettable evening of music, including many of his eclectic original compositions that range from world music to jazz influences, and in partnership with the seasoned musicians: New York based Israeli harmonicist, Roni Eytan; and in demand bassist, Jesse Williams.
Born in Lima, Peru, Jorge Pérez-Albela comes from a long line of musicians and educators. In 1994, he moved to the USA to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he also earned his master's degree from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Jorge is Bosphorus cymbals artist endorser.
Jorge has performed or recorded around the world with Grammy winners María Schneider, Danilo Pérez, Rubén Blades, The Either Orchestra, Claudio Ragazzi, Gian Marco, and Eva Ayllón. In addition to world-renowned artists: George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Avishai Cohen, Daniel Blake, Tim Ray, Mike Tucker, Bill Lowe, Rufus Reid, Eddie Gomez, Ron Mahdi, Jorge Roeder, Jean Pierre Magnet, Ernesto Hermoza, Sissy Castrogiovanni, Mili Bermejo, Geoffrey Keezer, Bert Seager, Claudia Acuña, Sofia Rei, Joey Blake, Donna McElroy, Tania Libertad, Eric Kurimski, Bruce Bartlett, John Lockwood, Jason Palmer, and Grace Kelly.
Jorge has appeared on WBUR's "Kind World," NPR's "Toast of the Nation," PRI/BBC's "The World," GBH's "Eric in the Evening," and Peruvian National Television's "Sonidos Del Mundo."
Since 2010, Pérez-Albela has taught in the Aspire program at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Jorge proudly led a music mentoring program for at-risk students in Brookline, Massachusetts, which began in 1997 and has benefited thousands of children for over 23 years. Jorge has also taught at The New England Conservatory, The Panama Jazz Festival, The Internal Compass Jazz Seminar in Israel, The Pontifical Catholic University in Lima, The National Conservatory in Lima, Peru; The National Conservatory of Santo Domingo, The Jerusalem Academy in Israel, and the Portsmouth Dance and Percussion Festival in New Hampshire. Jorge Pérez-Albela released his first album as a leader, “The Time is Now,” featuring nine of his compositions. The song “The Mirror” was selected as a semifinalist in the prestigious 2020 ISC International Songwriting Competition.
Roni Eytan
Over the years Roni Eytan has developed a unique way of playing the harmonica, by drawing on influences from a wide range of music, transcending the traditional sonorities associated the instrument, and achieving a singular musical voice.
Roni has performed with a galaxy of world renowned musicians, such as bassists John Patitucci and Eddie Gomez, drummer Brian Blade, and Adam Cruz, pianists Kevin Hays, John Beasley, Shai Maestro and Kris Davis among others. In 2014 he joined the band of Grammy Award-winning pianist Danilo Perez, performing with him for two years at major venues and festivals around the world. In 2018, Roni was the first harmonica player to be chosen for the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute program (previously known as the Thelonious Monk Institute). He was selected by a panel of iconic artists, including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire and James Newton. While on the program, he studied under the artistic direction of Hancock and Shorter, and various other jazz masters.
Roni’s musical language is based in the jazz tradition of improvisation, and also feeds off music from the Middle East and North Africa (particularly Andalusian music), which he absorbed and studied in his hometown of Jerusalem. Even though Roni plays an “uncommon” instrument, he has been in demand as a sideman. Recently He has been featured in the bands of Omri Mor (Avishai Cohen, Karim Ziad) and Kris Davis as well as regularly collaborating with other artists such as Shai Maestro, Gilad Hekselman and Ruslan Sirota. Last January, Roni recorded his Debut album in France, with his band, The album was produced by Shai Maestro and is planned to be released in 2025.
Jesse Williams
Jesse Williams Is one of the most respected and sought after bassists on the east coast. With 30 years of experience playing internationally at some of the world's leading venues and festivals, and 25 years teaching electric and upright bass and guitar, Jesse is known among music enthusiasts as a musician who brings precision and passion to the stage and studio. Jesse is considered a "musical chameleon" who is at home in styles ranging from blues, rock and soul, to funk, country and jazz.
Some of his credit includes: Recorded on two Grammy Nominated Albums and nine W.C. Handy/Blues Music Award-nominated albums. International touring or appearances playing with:
North Mississippi Allstars, Jimmy Vivino, Bucky Pizzarelli, Susan Tedeschi, Howard Alden, Duke Robillard, Jay McShann, Al Kooper, Jay Geils, John Hammond Jr, Karin Allyson, Harry Allen, Ruth Brown, Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Johnny A., Maria Muldaur, Johnnie Johnson, Ronnie Earl, Henry Butler, Charles Neville, Julien Kasper, Bruce Katz,W.C. Handy All-Stars.
Festivals and Venues include North Sea Jazz, Edmonton Folk, Montreal Jazz, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Vancouver Jazz, Byron Bay, Russian River, Boston Globe Jazz and Blues, Preakness, Beantown, Lincoln Center. Beacon Theater, Mountain Stage, Beacon Theater, Lincoln Center. He has appeared on PBS, Sesame St., AMC, National Film Archives, as well as multiple commercial spots.
Recent projects and current bands include:
North Mississippi Allstars
Sonya Rae Taylor
Seth Rosenbloom
Al Kooper
Jimmy Vivino
Bobby Keyes
Johnny A.
New Black Eagle Jazz Band