National Jazz Museum in Harlem Present Orrin Evans & Vanderlei Pereira, 6/22 & 6/27

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem present Orrin Evans on June 22nd from 7:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and Vanderlei Pereira and friends on June 27th from 2:00 p.m and 4:30 p.m.. Both performances are free. More information can be found at the NJMH website: www.jmih.org

"Hear Me Talkin' To You: Orrin Evans" will be at the NJMH Visitors Center on 104 E. 126th Street, Suite 2C. NJMH continues its conversations led by jazz musicians on topics not usually associated with jazz musicians with pianist Orrin Evans, whom Executive Director Loren Schoenberg invited to participate based on "illuminating chats spurred on Facebook."

Born in Trenton, NJ but raised in Philadelphia, acoustic pianist Orrin Evans was among the "Young Lions" of straight-ahead jazz who emerged in the 1990s, as was the previous Jazz for Curious Listeners guest host, Nicholas Payton. Evans' main focus is hard bop, although he has occasionally ventured into soul-jazz and R&B when backing such vocalists as Denice King and his wife, Dawn Warren. Expect a far-reaching discussion with jazz at the starting gate, and audience participation and feedback determining the finish line.

"Evening of Brazilian music and jazz: Vanderlei Pereira 5" will be at the Riverside Theatre (at the Riverside Church) on 91 Claremont Avenue, betw. 120th and 122nd. Drummer Vanderlei Pereira is one of the most sought-after musicians on the contemporary Brazilian jazz scene. Combining a prodigious knowledge of Brazilian rhythms with dazzling technique and a distinctive touch, Vanderlei has captivated audiences with his unique and electrifying performances.

Yet Vanderlei Pereira's proficiency on the drum set extends beyond his mastery of Brazilian rhythms. He received a Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Mannes College of Music in New York City, where he studied with the renowned jazz drummers John Riley and Vernel Fournier. In addition, Vanderlei has studied with the Latin jazz drum and percussion masters Ignacio Berroa, Bobby Sanabria and Johnny Almendra. He has incorporated these diverse influences into his playing and, as a result, has earned the respect of both straight-ahead and Latin jazz musicians on the demanding New York scene, where he is widely admired and respected for his musical versatility.