HARBOR CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS A Division of Boys & Girls Harbor

For Immediate Release 11/20/08

Contact: Nina Olson, 212/427-2244 ext. 577, nolson@theharbor.org

HARBOR CONSERVATORY PIANO STUDENT

ANGEL ECHEVARRIA TO PERFORM AT THE KENNEDY CENTER

IN NPR’S “A JAZZ PIANO CHRISTMAS”

East Harlem/El Barrio, New York -- Piano student Angel Echevarria, a 2008 recipient of the Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarship will be performing at the National Public Radio’s “A Jazz Piano Christmas” concert on December 4, 2008 at the Kennedy Center. An annual NPR tradition, the concert will be recorded for later broadcast and features top jazz pianists and younger artists performing their favorite holiday songs. Among the artists performing that evening will be Arturo O’Farrill, Eliane Elias, Ellis Marsalis, and Rebeca Mauleόn.

Nineteen year old pianist Angel Echevarria is a student at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts; the leading school for Afro-Caribbean Latin music with a curriculum that ranges from traditional Folkloric music to Contemporary Salsa and Latin Jazz. His studies include Classical piano with Amos Duque, Latin style piano with Pablo Mayor, jazz and improvisation for piano with Gustavo Casenave, and a theory class. In addition, he participates in two ensembles, Latin Standards Ensemble under the direction of Chacho Schartz and the Harbor Latin Youth Ensemble under the direction of Conservatory Director Ramon Rodriguez.

At the Harbor Conservatory, Angel studys a variety of musical forms such as danzon, son, cha cha cha and mambo, as he learns music illustrating different periods and artists in Latin music history. He has the unique opportunity to study and play classic music made popular by artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco and others. As a member of the Harbor Latin Youth Ensemble, Angel has performed at Zankel Hall in the Carnegie Hall Family Concert Series, and at the world famous Apollo Theater in Represent! A Celebration of Young Talent, a program of outstanding youth performances. In addition he performed with the ensemble at Jazz at Lincoln Center at the opening reception for Paquito D’Rivera and Funk Tango.

The Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarship is awarded to intermediate and advanced pianists ages 12-25 for the study of Latin style piano. The Scholarship in memory of Charlie Palmieri was established by Tito Puente to further the inspirational musicianship of the great pianist. Applicants must demonstrate their talents in Classical and/or Popular Latin styles. The winner will receive one year's training free of charge at Harbor Conservatory with one of our specialists in the field of Latin piano. In style, versatility and instrumental virtuosity, bandleader/pianist/arranger Charlie Palmieri had few equals. In addition to recording, arranging and performing he taught music and Puerto Rican history in the CUNY system. The late great Tito Puente, the "King of Latin music,” master timbalero, arranger, composer, and bandleader, also cared deeply about education for young students and the need for youngsters to continue and/or begin their musical studies, as well as to reaffirm pride in Latino culture.

Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, a division of Boys & Girls Harbor, was established in 1970. The Harbor's world-renowned Latin Music program is complemented by equally strong Classical Music, Dance and Theater programs. To learn more about the Harbor Conservatory, and Raices Latin Music Museum, please visit us on-line at www.harborconservatory.org. Check out the Harbor on Facebook and Myspace! http://www.myspace.com/harborconservatoryfortheperformingarts www.facebook.com : Harbor Conservatory

NPR (National Public Radio) is an internationally acclaimed producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming. A privately supported, not-for-profit membership organization, NPR serves a growing audience of 26 million Americans each week in partnership with more than 860 independently operated, noncommercial public radio stations. Each NPR Member Station serves local listeners with a distinctive combination of national and local programming. With original online content and audio streaming, NPR.org offers hourly newscasts, special features and ten years of archived audio and information.

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