Michael Tracy - Saxophonist/Educator

JEN (Jazz Education Network) Conference

miketracy — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:03:52 +0000

The annual JEN (Jazz Education Network) Conference is being help in Louisville January 4 – 7. My friend Renato Vasconcellos and I will present a clinic on Thursday, January 5 at 1PM in the French Room at the Galt House. The clinic topic is Brazilian / American Styles and Approaches: A Comparison of Similarities and Differences. The Mike Tracy/Renato Vasconcellos Brazilian Ensemble will perform Saturday morning at 9AM at the Galt House Conservatory. Joining us will be Pat Lentz – guitar, Pablo Souza – bass, Bruno ‘gafanhoto’ Souza – percussion/drums and Lournenço Vasconcellos – drums/percussion. Visit the conference and check us out.

BRAZIL: Natal – June 2011

miketracy — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:15:56 +0000

I am fortunate to have had many outstanding students who are helping to spread the work of jazz throughout the world. Anderson Pessoa is one of those incredible students, an excellent educator, performer, composer and arranger. Anderson recently accepted a position as director of Jazz and Popular Music at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) and invited me to work with his students and to play with him and his faculty. My first and hopefully not last visit to Natal.

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…view workshop video

BRAZIL: Brasilia, Natal and Salvador – June 2011

miketracy — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:07:48 +0000

Many of my most memorable travel experiences have occurred when visiting Brazil. I have so many wonderful, talented Brazilian friends who love to show me what they love about their country – the sites, the food, the music and the people. Visiting Brasilia is like being a home and always fun being in this most unusual city. Traveling to Natal and Salvador were firsts. Each offered quite a change from my other visits. The beaches, dunes, markets, people and surrounding areas were amazing. I hope my photos help to share those experiences.

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ECUADOR: Loja and Quito – March 2011

Mike Tracy — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:20:17 +0000

Getting to play with a symphony is always a treat for a jazz musician, being the featured soloist is a dream. I got to live that dream in March as soloist with the Loja Symphony Orchestra for their first every Jazz and Symphony Concert. I got to play great jazz arrangements for two nights with a full week of rehearsals. Wonderful time, great sound and the people really loved it. How often does one get to play with 30+ stings and harp? Lucky guy! Thanks to Kristina Krit (Russia) and Anderson Pessoa (Brazil) for the wonderful arrangements and the Loja Symphony musicians and maestro Andrei Vasileusky for all their support.

Performance videos:
You Don\’t Know What Love Is – Ray de Paul (arr by K. Krit)
What Is This Thing Called Love – Cole Porter (arr by K. Krit)
Here’s That Rainy Day – Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen (arr by K. Krit)
On A Clear Day – Burton Lane (arr by K. Krit)
I Love Paris – Cole Porter (arr by K. Krit)
They Say That Falling In Love – Irving Berlin (arr by K. Krit)
The Very Thought Of You – Ray Noble (arr by K. Krit)
Arroio (The Creek) – Victor Assis Brasil (arr by A. Pessoa)

Before performing in Loja, I had the pleasure of visiting the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and working with their students and faculty. Excellent group and a find program. Had a great time. Thanks to Jay Byron and Francisco Lara

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ECUADOR: Loja and Quito – March 2011

Mike Tracy — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:33:22 +0000

Visiting a new country is always a pleasure and my first trip to Ecuador was no exception. Meeting the people and seeing the Andes was an amazing experience. I hope my photos captured some of that spirit and excitement.

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SOMETHIN’ ELSE: This Week’s Featured Artist – April 6, 2011

Mike Tracy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:27:34 +0000

I recently was honored to be the featured artist on Oberlin College and Community Radio (www.wobc.org) Sunday night jazz show. Host Aidan Plank interviewed me for the show and later posted on his blog.
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ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires and La Plata – November 2010

Mike Tracy — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:49:53 +0000

The Argentine people and their country are colorful and diverse. It is an exciting country to visit, so many places and events to see. While my fourth visit, there were still many interesting things to experience.

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ARGENTINA: La Plata Jazz Festival – November 2010

Mike Tracy — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:44:40 +0000

Visiting Argentina, Buenos Aires and La Plata (Louisville’s Sister-City) is always exciting. It was an honor to once again be asked to perform at the annual Jazz Festival – great music and musicians, friends abound. Also great teaching at the EMU Seminary. Thank you Waldo Brandwajnman.

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BRAZIL: FIPSE-CAPES meeting – September 2010

Mike Tracy — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:29:18 +0000

Always fun playing with Brazilian musicians. The FIPSE-CAPES grant meeting afforded an opportunity to do just that with Ricardo Dourado Freire, Rafael dos Santos, Esdres and American Phil DeGreg.

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BRAZIL: Florianopolis – September 2010

Mike Tracy — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:25:03 +0000

I love Brazil – the people and their music. I also love their colorful way of living. Florianopolis is a wonderful city with amazing beaches and interesting sites. All one had to do was point a camera and click.

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