Saxophonist Miguel to Perform at Zankel Hall, 12/7

On Saturday, December 7 at 9:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall, alto saxophonist, composer, and arranger Miguel Zenón examines the complexities and contradictions of the Puerto Rican experience with his latest work-a multimedia presentation honoring his homeland entitled Identities Are Changeable: Tales from the Diaspora. The evening-length song cycle and video installation-created in collaboration with video artist and co-founder of the Marginal Utility gallery in Philadelphia, David Dempewolf-explores the experience of Puerto Ricans who have moved to the mainland, particularly New York City, and was inspired by a series of interviews that Zenón conducted with them. Audio and video excerpts of these interviews are woven throughout.

Noted by the MacArthur Foundation in 2008 as a young musician that is "at once reestablishing the artistic, cultural, and social tradition of jazz while creating an entirely new jazz language for the 21st century," Zenón, a Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, is considered as one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists of his generation. For this performance, he is joined by a number of luminary jazz contemporaries including members of his quartet-pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist, Hans Glawischnig, and drummer Henry Cole. Additional ensemble members include trombonists Tim Albright, Alan Ferber, and Ryan Keberle; trumpeters Mat Jodrell, JoNathan Powell, Michael Rodriguez, and Alexander Norris; alto saxophonists Will Vinson and Michael Thomas; tenor saxophonists John Ellis and Samir Zarif; and baritone saxophonist Chris Cheek.

Prior to this performance, starting at 8:30 p.m., ticketholders are invited to enjoy Late Nights at Zankel Hall, a laid-back pre-concert experience. The first 200 ticketholders to arrive will receive a complimentary drink courtesy of Carnegie Hall. For more information, please visit carnegiehall.org/latenights. Opened in September 2003, Zankel Hall-Carnegie Hall's modern, underground performance space-celebrates its tenth anniversary this season with concerts that reflect the wide variety of music for which the venue has become known, including appearances by up-and-coming and established artists in the classical, jazz, world music, and pop genres.

Multiple Grammy Award nominee and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully balanced and blended the often contradictory poles of innovation and tradition. Widely considered as one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists of his generation, he has also developed a unique voice as a composer and as a conceptualist, concentrating his efforts on perfecting a fine mix between Latin American folkloric music and jazz. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zenón has released seven recordings as a leader including Rayuela (2012) and the Grammy Award-nominated Alma Adentro (2011). As a sideman he has worked with jazz luminaries such as The SFJAZZ Collective, Charlie Haden, David Sánchez, The Mingus Big Band, Bobby Hutcherson, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner and Steve Coleman. Zenón has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times, as well as gracing the cover of Downbeat Magazine. He has also topped the Rising Star Alto Sax category of the Downbeat Critics Poll on four different occasions. As a composer, Zenón has been commissioned by SFJAZZ, The New York State Council for the Arts, Chamber Music America, The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, and many of his peers. Zenón has given hundreds of lectures and master classes at institutions all over the world and is a permanent faculty member at New England Conservatory of Music. In 2011, he founded Caravana Cultural, a program which presents free jazz concerts in rural areas of Puerto Rico. In April 2008, Zenón received a fellowship from the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. Later that year, he was one of 25 distinguished individuals chosen to receive the coveted MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "Genius Grant".

Photo by © Jimmy Katz