POLAND TOUR

Playing music is a great way to see the world and I have been fortunate to have met many outstanding musicians in far away places.  One special location is Katowice, Poland and the Akademia Muzyczna im. Karola Szymanowski.  I first visited the Akademia in 2003 to help establish an exchange program between their jazz program and the one at the University of Louisville.   That first meeting has lead to an on-going exchange, which has included joint opera productions, orchestra and band experiences, music therapy collaborations and numerous student and faculty, visits.   I have the pleasure of returning to adjudicate the 6^th International Improvisation Competition.  What a great opportunity to hear musicians, young and old, in a different setting.   I will also be presenting clinics on improvisation at the Akademia and one at the Nysa Music Akademia.  A side trip to Opava in the Czech Republic for a performance at the Evžen Jazz Cafe Club will be a fun evening.  The best part will be seeing old friends and playing music together. 

MIKE TRACY BRAZILIAN ENSEMBLE

It is no secret that I love the music of Brazil and its musicians.  It has been my pleasure to work with a number of outstanding young musicians from Brazil during their time in the graduate program at the University of Louisville.   Pianist Diego Lyra Medieros, percussionists Lourenço Vasconcellos and Bruno Souza are the backbone of the Mike Tracy Brazilian Ensemble.   Completing the Ensemble are bassist Luke McIntosh (from Australian) and guitarist Brandon Coleman.   Music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Moacyr Santos, João Donato, Gilberto Gil, Egberto Gismonti, Djalma Ferreira, Dominguinhos and more comprise our repertoire.  The Ensemble will perform at the Paramount Arts Center (Ashland, KY) on April 24, Clifton Arts Center (Louisville, KY) on April 28 and at Louisville’s Iroquois Amphitheater on May 5.  Join us for an exciting and fun experience.

ARGENTINA TOUR: Buenos Aires and the La Plata Jazz Festival – September 2012

Looking forward to being back in Argentina seeing and playing music with old friends and meeting new ones. Performing at the La Plata Jazz Festivalwith the Renato Vasconcellos Trio on Friday

October 5. The group will also be playing at Club Notorious in Buenos Aires on Monday, October 1. I will return to Club Notorious on Sunday, October 7 performing with Jeff Siegle and Ale Demogli.

Joining me at the La Plata Jazz Festival will be a sextet of students from the University of Louisville (UofL) (Joseph Thieman – trpt, Chris Grzech – piano and Shane Porter – sax) with students from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) (Raphael Ferreira – sax , Daniel Ribeiro – bass and Guilherme Marques – drums). Unicamp and UofL are part of a FIPSE/CAPES grant promoting student exchanges. They perform on Saturday, October 6 and it should be an exciting concert.

Finally, I will be teaching as part of the 5^th Seminario Internacional de Jazz presented by Emu Educación Musical. Thank you Waldo Brandwajnman for offering me the opportunity to work with you group once again.

Looking forward to being back in Argentina seeing and playing music with old friends and meeting new ones. Performing at the La Plata Jazz Festival with the Renato Vasconcellos Trio on Friday October 5. The group will also be playing at Club Notorious in Buenos Aires on Monday, October 1. I will return to Club Notorious on Sunday, October 7 performing with Jeff Siegle and Ale Demogli.

Joining me at the La Plata Jazz Festival will be a sextet of students from the University of Louisville (UofL) (Joseph Thieman – trpt, Chris Grzech – piano and Shane Porter – sax) with students from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) (Raphael Ferreira – sax , Daniel Ribeiro – bass and Guilherme Marques – drums). Unicamp and UofL are part of a FIPSE/CAPES grant promoting student exchanges. They perform on Saturday, October 6 and it should be an exciting concert.

Finally, I will be teaching as part of the 5th Seminario Internacional de Jazz presented by Emu Educación Musical. Thank you Waldo Brandwajnman for offering me the opportunity to work with you group once again.