Jazz, Mambo, Salsa, Symphony

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The next outstanding live performance of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra’s 34th season will be Sunday, January 31, at 5pm in Rudder Theatre. The BVSO’s 2015-16 Season of “Unforgettable Moments” is generously supported by the St. Joseph Health System. This concert, sponsored by the Ham Family Trust, will feature the rhythms of jazz, mambo, samba, and salsa. The orchestra will join forces with the multi-talented Javier Chaparro and his eclectic fusion band Salúd.

Not only is Chaparro the long time Concertmaster for the BVSO, he is also a talented guitarist, prolific songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader. Javier is a career musician who has recorded on movie soundtracks, composed works for documentaries, and performs frequently in the Austin area with his band and as a solo artist. He has had an eclectic career, performing Latin, Jazz, Gypsy, Pop, Country, and Classical. Chaparro has additionally performed with John Denver, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Bernadette Peters, Willie Nelson, Mannheim Steamroller, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Salúd is composed of a mix of musicians performing bass, violin, piano, mandolin, percussion, guitar, and vocals. According to Javier, “The members of my band are all 5-star musicians . . . Five years ago, I put together this ensemble to perform in public places, music venues, concert halls, and festivals. The most important thing is to be able to present my music with the influences of these great musicians’ backgrounds in jazz, bluegrass, latin, and classical.”

What: “Jazz, Romance & Javier!”

When: Sunday, January 31 at 5pm

Where: Rudder Theatre on Texas A&M University Campus in College Station

Program:

  • Bolling: Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano Trio
  • Chaparro: Romance with Javier
  • Guest Artists: Evan Arredondo, bass; Javier Chaparro, violin, guitar, and vocals; Maimy Fong, piano; Paul
  • Glasse, mandolin; Laura Mordecai, percussion, and vocals; Mitch Watkins, guitar and vocals

Concert Sponsor: Ham Family Trust

BVSO Music Director Marcelo Bussiki indicated that this concert is highly anticipated by the entire orchestra, “We are all excited about this one. I have been wanting to do this kind of concert with Javier for quite some time,” said Bussiki. “It’s difficult sometimes to break away from the traditional and go in a completely different direction, but that is what we are doing here . . . it’s adventurous,” Bussiki continued.

Not only is the orchestra excited about this performance, Javier as a guest artist and composer is really looking forward to this concert. “I am very excited about this concert! Even though I have composed music for films and documentaries, this music is very special to me because it shows my culture and my musical growth. It is going to be a privilege and a dream come true to be able to perform with my beloved orchestra,” said Chaparro.

Since Chaparro is also the composer, the BVSO asked him about what it took to compose, orchestrate, and arrange this music. “I started the orchestration on some of the pieces in the spring of 2015. Some of them come in [to my head] at 2am and I will be up, working all night and all day inspired and finish the whole arrangement for the band and the orchestra parts by 6pm,” said Chaparro.

“Other ones take longer, sometimes weeks, due to the complexity of the pieces. Composing is like painting: I create a beautiful canvas full of sound colors, expressing emotions from my heart,” he continued.

BVSO patrons can attend the free pre-concert talk at 4pm just prior to the performance in the Rudder Theatre Complex. Ann Thompson, a popular lecturer who has also presented with the Houston Grand Opera, will again present her delightful and witty insights into the composers, the history, and meaning behind the music. Get there early to ensure you have a seat at these extremely popular sessions.

Then after each subscription concert, a patron social hour at Napa Flats will keep the enjoyment going to top off an exquisite evening of culture and entertainment. The Maestro and guest artists are scheduled to attend these socials as well.

Individual tickets to all concerts are on sale now at the MSC Box Office. Call (979) 845-1234 or go on-line to boxoffice.tamu.edu. Please call the Symphony Office (979) 696-6100 with any further questions.

The BVSO is a non-profit performing arts organization with the mission to maintain a symphony of high artistic standards, and to promote the musical arts for cultural and education purposes in the Brazos Valley. For more information about the Symphony's 2015-2016 Season, please visit the BVSO website at www.bvso.org.