CAPA Presents Spanish Harlem Orchestra 4/5

Since its original conception in 2000, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra has established itself as the standard for contemporary Latin music. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger, and producer Oscar Hernández, the 13-member all-star ensemble has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City salsa to music lovers worldwide.

CAPA presents the Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the Capitol Theatre (77 S. High St.) on Sunday, April 5, at 7 pm. Tickets are $32 and $26 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com
To purchase tickets by phone, please call (800) 745-3000 or (614) 469-0939. The Palace Theatre Ticket Office will open two hours prior to the performance. Students between the ages of 13-19 can purchase $5 High Five tickets while available. This Caliente Series performance is made possible through the generous support of Univar and series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Spanish Harlem is the birthplace for salsa, Latin soul, boogaloo, and countless other variants within the Latin idiom. From Tito Puente to Marc Anthony, this small enclave has exerted a monumental effect on the sound of American music today. Led by world famous pianist and arranger Oscar Hernandez, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra has quickly established itself as curators of the traditional sound of the Latino community in New York's Spanish Harlem.

In addition to being pianist, arranger, and musical director for the globally renowned Rubén Blades, Oscar Hernandez has enjoyed a prolific music career recording and performing with such world renowned artists as Latin music king Tito Puente, queen of salsa music Celia Cruz, Latin pop star Julio Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Ray Barretto, Dave Valentin, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda, Pete "Conde" Rodriquez, Oscar De'Leon, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Libre, Grupo Folklorico Experimental, Willie Colon, Kristy MacColl, and Earl Klugh, as well as many others. Oscar was also the musical director for Paul Simon's Bradway show The Capeman, working closely with Simon in the studio constructing the musical arc of the controversial show.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra's first album, Un Gran Dian en el Barrio (One Great Day in the Neighborhood) was released in 2002. This clave-powered crash course features some heavyweight selections including Tito Rodriguez's "Mama Guela," the enchanting Pedro Flores bolero "Obsesion," and the Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe classic "La Llego la Banda." It's impact was further acknowledged when the release garnered a Grammy nomination in the "Best Salsa Album" category in 2003, and the recognition continued as the group won the 2003 Latin Billboard Award for "Salsa Album of the Year - Best New Group."

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra has quickly established itself as one of the pillars of contemporary Latin music. Using the most accomplished players in the New York Latino community, Hernandez carries on the tradition with outstanding performers like Ray De La Paz, Willie Torres, and Marco Bermudez as well as many of the top musicians on the Latin music scene.

Their 2004 follow-up, Across 110th Street, earned their first Grammy Award for Best Salsa Album. The group's third and most recent release, United We Swing, has drawn the attention of the Grammys again with a 2008 nomination for Best Tropical Album

www.imnworld.com/spanishharlemorchestra