Roland Vazquez
Biography Calendar Recordings Classes Scores The Visitor

CALENDAR:

Upcoming Events:

October 11, 2023 Bard College, NY
Afro-Caribbean Percussion Experience
Featuring Roland Vazquez and Pito Castillo, in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
5:30 to 6:30 pm Chapel of the Holy Innocents
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Previous Events:

September 29, 2022 The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
Analog Jazz Orchestra
Featuring Roland Vazquez, a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
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August 30, 2022 Radio Free Rhinecliff, NY
Jazz Generations, an internet radio program
With Roland Vazquez, presenting West African and Afro/Indigenous Legacies which have been the vocabulary and inspiration of Jazz.
logo Listen here.

August 21, 2022, Midsummer Revival, 101 Enterprise Drive, Kingston, NY
Roland Vazquez Band
Featuring Tristen Napoli, trumpet; Kevin Bene, alto sax; Max Barnes, tenor sax; Dan Shaut, bari sax; Bryan Ponton, keys; Rich Syracuse, bass, Pito Castillo, congas & Roland Vazquez, composer/drums poster

June 16, 2022 Music On Market, Ellenville, NY
Roland Vazquez Sextet
Featuring Chris Pasin (trpt), Kevin Bene (alto, soprano, flute), Maxwell Barnes (tenor), Brian Ponton (kys), Nick Edwards (bass).
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May 25, 2022 @ American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers
Big Band Hanginar with Roland Vazquez
And Elliot Deutsch and Scott Healy
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Watch the Hanginar replay here.

Roland presented a new course during the Fall '21 semester @ Bard College:
"Music of the Black Atlantic"".
a broad survey of music originating with the West African People, tracing the forms, rhythms, and traditions that evolved in Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean nations as the People of the African Diasporas shared their ceremonies and music with the Indigenous Native cultures and European colonial influences. photo

November 8: @ The Art Bar / Kingston, NY
Roland Vazquez Sextet
Featuring Tristan Napoli (trpt), Steven Frieder (sax), Bryan Ponton (kys), Sam Smith (bass), & Tomas Martin Lopez (perc).
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From Loren Schoenberg, via Facebook:
"Went with my old friend Howard Levy to hear some outstanding music at the ArtBar in Kingston, NY. Drummer/composer/educator Roland Vazquez, whose work I've admired for decades, led a band of young players who realized every nook and cranny of his demanding scores. Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that every piece was full of counterpoint, dynamics, alongside interesting contrasts of texture and harmonic structures. And lest this leave the impression that somehow the music was academic in nature, nothing could be further from the truth. It was joyous and serious at the same time. It's hard to think of a time when I've enjoyed music in this idiom as much. Another bonus was hearing Tristen Napoli, Steven Frieder, Sam Smith, and Bryan Ponton for the first time in person - and all I can add to that is watch out for these guys if you don't know their music already. Percussionist Tomas Martin Lopez was hand in glove with Vasquez through every quarter note (and then some!) as they created the magic carpet that any music that encourages the terpsichorean urge demands.
It was a great night of great music."

August 10: @ Hudson Valley Jazz Festival / Pine Island
Roland Vazquez Sextet

July 19: @ Jazz Forum Arts Summer 2019 Free Concerts /
Pierson Park, Tarrytown, NY
Roland Vazquez Sextet
Live audio capture/slide show of Roland Vazquez Sextet featuring Tristen Napoli (trpt); Kevin Bene (alto); Bryan Ponton (piano); Sam Smith (electric bass); Tomas Martin Lopez (congas & perc); Roland Vazquez (composer & drummer)

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July 7: @ The Falcon / Marlboro, NY
Roland Vazquez Sextet
Featuring guest artist Luis Perdomo (piano); with Tristan Napoli (trpt), Kevin Bene (sax), Sam Smith (bass), & Tomas Martin Lopez (perc).

Sunday, June 16: @ "Amity Blues"/ Red Hook Community Center
Roland Vazquez Quintet

Thanks to producers Richard Thomson & Cara Silvernail for sharing this performance of "Ghosts of Expectation" featuring Kevin Bene (sax); Bryan Ponton (kys); Nick Edwards (bass); & Tomas Martin Lopez (perc); Roland Vazquez (composer & drummer)

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April 28: Dan Shaut's Hudson Valley Youth Jazz Orchestra wonderful group of (mostly) student musicians rocked "No Separate Love" and "... Bones of the Dead"! Fun rehearsing & playing with these young artists. The HVYJO performs regularly around HV & at SUNY Ulster.

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April 27: A wonderful time adjudicating & giving master class with Profs Begian & Doiron at West Conn U! Thanks WCSU Jazz Ensemble!

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April 24: pianist/composer Luis Perdomo spoke & performed for Roland's "History of American Jazz" @ Vassar College.

Roland taught at Vassar College for the Spring '19 semester.
He presented an introductory perspective on "Jazz History" (Music 214) for non-music majors.
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Saturday, December 1
Roland Vazquez Sextet
Ron Horton (trumpet/flugle); Kevin Bene (saxes & flute); Jamie Reynolds (piano); Nick Edwards (bass); Tomas Martin Lopez (perc.); Roland Vazquez (composer/drums)
Dennings Point Distillery, Beacon, NY

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Sunday, November 11
Roland Vazquez Nonet
premiered new music from "Créencias" (previously entitled "Community in Crisis") - a cycle reflecting on events, conditions, & individualities impacting our country at this time (i.e. "No Other Voices", "Dignity", "Fidelity"). This music collaborates Vazquez' "Afro-Latin chamber music" with the range of artistic experiences, mastered vocabularies, and diverse individualities of these highly acclaimed players: Alex Norris (trumpet), Joel Frahm (saxes), Mike Migliore (sax & flute), Jeff Ciampa (guitar), Marius Vandenbrink (keys), Mikey Migliore (bass), Tomas Martin Lopez (percussion), Roland Vazquez (composer / drums)
Sunday Jazz At The Falcon, Marlboro, NY

Saturday, June 30
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Mike "Migs" Migliore (saxes); Marius van den Brink (piano); Mikey Migliore (bass); Tomas Martin Lopez (perc.); Roland Vazquez (composer/drums)
Dennings Point Distillery, Beacon, NY
(Gig was cancelled due to failed ac in 105 degrees!)

Sunday, June 24
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Mike "Migs" Migliore (saxes); Marius van den Brink (piano); Mikey Migliore (bass); Tomas Martin Lopez (perc.); Roland Vazquez (composer/drums)
The Jazz Forum, Tarrytown, NY
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Saturday, June 16
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Mike "Migs" Migliore (saxes); Marius van den Brink (piano); Mikey Migliore (bass); Tomas Martin Lopez (perc.); Roland Vazquez (composer/drums)
Bean Runner Cafe, Peekskill, NY

Saturday, April 21, "Jazz @ the Morton Library"
Roland Vazquez Quintet
82 Kelly St, Rhinecliff, NY
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Sunday February 18, 2018 "Amity Blues"
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Mike "Migs" Migliore (tenor & soprano saxes), Alex Smith (keyboards), Mike Migliore (electric bass), Pito Castillo (congas), Roland Vazquez (composer, drums)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
Broadway & Fisk, Red Hook, NY

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Saturday, January 27, 2018
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Mike "Migs" Migliore (tenor & soprano saxes), Alex Smith (keyboards), Mike Migliore (electric bass), Pito Castillo (congas)
@ Bean Runner Cafe
206 Division St., Peekskill, NY.

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December 6, 2017
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Roland Vazquez (composer / drums), Joel Frahm (saxes): Manuel Valera (piano): Ruben Rodriguez (bass): Carlos "Carly" Maldonado (percussion)
Sunday Jazz At The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
Watch a video from this event: here.

October 21, 2017
Roland Vazquez Quintet at the Morton Library, Rhinecliff, NY
in a historic wood room with an new ensemble TBA.

July 17, 2017
Guest Lecturer & Clinician, Summer Jazz Program,
Hudson Valley Youth Jazz Orchestra
Dan Shaut & Bob Shaut, Directors. Lecture on "History of Latin Jazz."

performance photo
May 19-20, 2017
Guest Director & Clinician, 2017 "Dutchess All-County Jazz Ensemble"
19th Annual Dutchess Jazz Festival; including performance Roland's "Atena" by All County Jazz Ensemble.
Rich Guillen, Ensemble Chairperson & Durand Thomas, assistant Director and Clinician, Sweeney Performance Hall.
Arlington High School, LaGrangeville, NY.

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March 8 - April 3, 2017
Guest Instructor, Jeff "Siege" Siegel's jazz drum set studio
Western Connecticut University Jazz Program
Jamie Begian & Jimmy Greene, co-directors.

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February 26, 2017
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Roland Vazquez (composer / drums), Derrick James (alto sax), Rich Syracuse (bass), Bryan Ponton (piano), Pito Castillo (congas / percussion)
Sunday Jazz At The Falcon, Marlboro, NY

January 15, 2017
Roland Vazquez Quintet
Derrick James (alto sax), Bryan Ponton (piano), Rich Syracuse (bass), Pito Castillo (congas), Roland Vazquez (composer / drums)
"Amity Blues" "Afternoon Jazz Series", St. Paul's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, Red Hook, NY

October 12, 2014
Town Crier, Beacon, NY: Larry Moses' "Latin Jazz Explosion"; featuring Larry Moses (leader, trpt), Mike Migliore (saxes), Rob Scheps (sax & flute); James Ratner (piano); Lew Scott (bass), Pito Castillo (congas), Roland Vazquez (drums).

September 27, 2014
Cocoon Theatre, Rhinebeck, NY: "TrioSpeak" (a new collective improvisation / "sound painting" ensemble) featuring Cara Silvernail (saxes & flutes); Richard Thomson (guitar, electronics, percussion, horns, vocals); Roland Vazquez (drums, percussion).

September 10, 2014
Vassar College, NY: Roland Vazquez lecture presentation "Drum Heritage" (drums & rhythmic language in music from Africa & the Afro Cuban diaspora; ritual drum dancing, Afro pop, salsa, timba, & Latin jazz) for "World Music" class (Justin Patch, PHD- instructor).

August 28, 2014
The Falcon, Marlboro, NY: Larry Moses & "Latin Jazz Explosion"; featuring Larry Moses (leader, trpt), Mike Migliore (saxes), Rob Scheps (sax & flute); James Ratner (piano); Lew Scott (bass), Pito Castillo (congas), Roland Vazquez (drums).

July 2, 2014
New Music America Project Grant Awards announced: Joe McCarthy's "Afro Bop Alliance" & the Music of Roland Vazquez, Paquito D' Rivera And Friends

April 12-13, 2014
University of Wisconsin at La Crosse residency: "Creative Imperatives" including concert performances of "Jabberwocky" by Susan Botti with Roland Vazquez (drums & percussion); Latin Jazz Combo with members of the UW-L Music Faculty (John Seddon, director) -including "Pire", "Dance for Louise", "No Place to Hide This Heart", & "Kifaru"; Roland Vazquez lecture presentation: "Music of the Afro Latin Diaspora" (Hall of Nations); and "Sevilla" for Latin jazz orchestra master class/rehearsal with UW LaCrosse Jazz Orchestra (Karyn Quinn, direct

February 8-9, 2014
Bias Studios, Washington, DC: Roland conducts recording sessions for "No Rest for the Bones of the Dead", "Créencias", and "Family of Four" with Joe McCarthy's Latin Grammy-winning orchestra "Afro Bop Alliance" for an upcoming CD and New Music America grant project. The "live in the studio" sessions featured special guests Samuel Torres (percussion), Alex Norris (trumpet), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), and Ed Fast (vibes).


"No Rest for the Bones of the Dead" Video



"Family of Four" Video


Georgetown University Residency:

February 6, 2014 - Thursday evening at 7 pm
Roland will present a lecture with audio & video examples ("Musics of the Afro Latin Diaspora").
Free

February 7, 2014 - Friday afternoon at 1:15 pm
Roland will present his music on Friday at 1:15 pm with an all-star sextet, featuring Joe McCarthy (drums), Samuel Torres (perc), Harry Appleman (piano), Luis Hernandez (sax), & Ed Fast (vibes).
Free

February 7, 2014 - Friday night at 8 pm
The Georgetown University Jazz Ensemble (Aaron Broadus, director) will present Roland's music for jazz orchestra and octet (Roland will perform and/or conduct).
$10 General / $5 Faculty, Staff, Student, Senior

All events take place in the McNeir Theatre.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, 37th and O Streets, N.W., Washington D.C. 20057 / (202) 687.0100

Two Live Shows In April 2013:

Roland Vazquez Band Appearing Live at The Falcon on 4/15 and Shapeshifter Labe on 4/19

April 19, 2013
Roland Vazquez Band
at SHAPESHIFTER LAB
18 Whitwell Pl Brooklyn, NY 11215

April 15, 2013
Roland Vazquez Band
at THE FALCON
1348 Rte 9W Marlboro, NY 12542

May 20, 2012
The UCCM Jazz Orchestra (Scott Belck, director) performed jazz orchestra works from "The Visitor" (TBA) by Roland.

May 19, 2012
Roland performed his quintet music in Cincinnati at The Blue Wisp, featuring Rick Van Matre (sax & flute), Jim Connerly (piano), Aaron Jacobs (bass), and Charlie Schweitzer (perc)

May 18, 2012
Ohio University Jazz Percussion Ensemble (Roger Braun, director) premiered 2 Vazquez works for percussion sextet, sax & bass: "Speak with the Children" & "Further Dance". The Ohio University Jazz Ensemble I (Matthew James, director) performed "Urantia", "Sevilla", and a new jazz orchestra version of "No Separate Love." Roland played drums & percussion with both ensembles - and also with the Ohio University Jazz Ensemble II (Michael Parkinson, director) at Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium.

May 14, 2012
University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Muisc: Roland presented a lecture / master class on "Music of the Afro Latin Diaspora" - an historical perspective of the history & evolution of forms from chant thru contemporary Afro Cuban jazz. (Scott Belck, Program Director, Jazz and Commercial Music, presiding)

October 28, 2011
Roland Vazquez presented a master class for the percussionists
at Hartt School of Music / Hartford University, Ct.
He presented on the history of musics of the Afro Latin diaspora;
philosophy of music study; his compositions featuring percussion;
and Afro Latin drumset techniques.

January 24 & 25, 2011
Roland Vazquez, Wycliffe Gordon, Ted Piltzecker serve as
panel of composer/judges for the 2011
ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards competition

June 29, 2010
"The Visitor" released to media.
Jason Byrne/Redcat Jazz Publicity (Redcatjazz@mac.com)

June 13-16, 2010
Botti / "Gates of Silence" recording sessions
featuring the Blakemore Trio:
Carolyn Huebl (vln), Felix Wang (vc), Amy Dorfman (pn)
at Ingram Hall, Vanderbilt University.
Roland Vazquez, Susan Botti, Todd Whitelock: producers.

February 28, March 1 & 2, 2010
Roland Vazquez Band records "The Visitor"
with Todd Whitelock/Whitelock Audio
at Studio A, Clinton Recording Studios, NYC.

December 2009 - February 2010
Score corrections & repair, part preparation,
materials for "the Visitor."
Roland Vazquez Band rehearsals.

September 20, 2009
Lake George Jazz Festival presents Roland Vazquez Quintet on Sunday Afternoon by the Lake
featuring: Joel Frahm (sax), Luis Perdomo (piano), Hans Glawischnig (bass), Samuel Torres (perc)
Shepard Park, Lake George, NY

July 2009
RVCD/Roland Music / "the Music of Roland Vazquez"
receives Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc. Recording Grant
in support of "The Visitor."

May 9-13, 2009
"Music for Percussion Quartet & 3 Jazz Players"
performed by Ohio University Jazz Percussion Ensemble/ Prof Roger Braun, director
"Thru a Window", "Urantia", & "Whirlpool"
Ohio University Jazz Ensemble I, Prof Matt James, director
Soloist: Mike Spiro, congas
with Roland Vazquez featured as composer and performer

April 23 & 24, 2009
University of Cincinnati College of Music (Rick Van Matre, director of Jazz)
Roland presented clinic/master class
(composition, Afro Latin diaspora)

April 22, 2009
Montclair State University Jazz Band (director, Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel)
performed Vazquez' music "Sevilla", "Whirlpool", "Urantia", etc.
Roland conducted the band(s), perform, and gave master class/clinics.
Kali School of Music, Kasser Theatre

November 13, 2008
In concert with Dan Moretti (sax), Victor Mendoza (vibes), Oscar Stagnaro (bass)
featuring his Nonet & Tentet music
Berklee Performance Center

November 12, 2008
"Roland Vazquez: Intro to Music from the Afro-Latin Diaspora--a Historical Perspective"
Berk Recital Hall
Berklee College of Music

October 26, 2008
Roland Vazquez Quintet
(featuring Joel Frahm, saxes; Mark Soskin, piano;
Mike Lipsey, mallets & perc.; Anthony Jackson, bass guitar)
William Patterson University

September 5 & 6, 2008
Roland Vazquez Quintet
featuring Dan Willis (sax & flute); Mark Soskin (piano);
Mike Lipsey (mallets & perc); Jay Anderson (bass);
Roland Vazquez (composer/drums)
performed the leader's music
(including new works from the "Rome Quintets") at
Cachaça Jazz 'n' Samba Club,
35 West 8th Street,
Greenwich Village, NYC

April 9, 2008
"Music for Percussion Quartet & 3 Jazz Players" (all movements)
Montclair State University Percussion Ensemble
(Mike Lipsey, director)
McEachern Recital Hall,
Cali School of Music,
Montclair State University

March 31, 2008
"Sevilla", "Las Mediosas"
("Music for Percussion Quartet & 3 Jazz Players")
Queens College Percussion Ensemble
(Mike Lipsey & Matt ward, directors)
Aaron Copland School of Music,
Queens College

March 29, 2008
"Las Mediosas"
("Music for Percussion Quartet & 3 Jazz Players")
Queens College Percussion Ensemble
(Mike Lipsey & Matt ward, directors)
William Patterson University Day of Percussion

February 13, 2008
"Urantia", "Whirlpool", "The Visitor"
Eastman Jazz Ensemble
(Bill Dobbins, director & Walt Weiskopf, tenor sax)
Kilbourn Hall,
Eastman School of Music,
University of Rochester

February 12 & 13, 2008
"Afro Latin diaspora"
(2 lecture presentations/ Harold Danko, presiding);
"Piano Analogies", "Further Dance"
(composition master class, Bill Dobbins, presiding)
"Meet the Artist" forum
(Q & A) (Jazz Facuty & students)
Eastman School of Music,
University of Rochester

February 11, 2008
"The Day After", "No Rest for the Bones of the Dead",
"Las Mediosas", "Pire", "Dance for Louise", "60 Berkley Place"

Eastman Chamber Jazz Ensemble
(Clay Jenkins, director & Walt Weiskopf, tenor sax)
Kilbourn Hall,
Eastman School of Music,
University of Rochester

Roland performed "Jabberwocky" (for voice & percussion) with composer/performer Susan Botti on Dec 4 - as part of the LA Philharmonic's "Green Umbrella" contemporary music series.
December 4, 2007, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.

The Roland Vazquez Quintet
featuring
Joel Frahm, saxes
Mark Soskin, piano
Mike Lipsey, mallets & percussion
Anthony Jackson, contrabass guitar
Roland Vazquez, composer/drums
performed the leader's works from previous CDs as well as premieres of new works in 2007.
Big Rock Jazz Fest, Louisville KY (Oct 7)
Kingston Jazz Fest, Kingston NY (June 26)
Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor MI (March 25)
University of Michigan School of Music (master class) (March 24)
Detroit Institute of the Arts (March 23)