Public Relations

VENTURA: From January 30 though February 4, the Ventura College Music Department will host a wide range of music events, featuring faculty and guest artists. All events will be held at the Ventura College Theatre and will begin at 8:00 p.m., except for the Sunday show which is at 3 pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students and seniors. There will be something for everyone!

Tuesday, Jan. 30: Grand Piano Soiree—An evening celebrating the glorious piano and the mastery of featured pianists performing works by Beethoven,Milhaud, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Rocherolle, and Shostakovich. Featuring pianists Miriam Arichea, Joy Asenas, Pauline Delmonte, Fern Fay, and Mariana Franco-Sommer, Vonise and Newton Friedman, Shirley Kalberg-Leak, Rosa LoGuidice, and Betty McElroy.

Wednesday, Jan. 31: Voice Recital - Three talented young women: mezzo sopranos Angela Price and Tamora Pellikka, and pianist Katie Franklin, recently performed in a Song Festival where they collaborated with some of today's most exciting American composers, including Jake Heggie, John Harbison, and Ricky Ian Gordon. Inspired by this collaboration, they compiled a list of favorite art songs by American composers, both male and female, from the 20th Century through today, which will be presented here. These works, originally written for some of today's top Broadway and opera stars, such as Audra MacDonald and Frederica Von Stade, are moving, poignant, witty, charming, and sure to delight.

Thursday, Feb. 1: Latin Jazz -.The renown César Mateus Latin Jazz Sextet includes an all-star cast of internationally recognized musicians featuring bassist Brent Fischer (Michael Jackson, Prince, Clare Fischer), Brazilian drummer-percussionist Sandro Feliciano (Airto, George Clinton, Sergio Mendez, Katia Moraes), guitarist Brad Rabuchin (Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles), percussionist Robert Fernandez (Tito Puente, Dionne Warwick, Maureen McGovern, Barry Manilow), accordéoniste Frank Petrilli (New Breed Orchestra, Frank Morocco) and Ventura College professor, guitarist-composer Dr.César Mateus (Alice/Oran Coltrane, Guillaume Orti, Phillipe Manoury, Bryan Pezzone).The musical selections will include original compositions (from the band's latest CD), Cuban Boleros, Tangos, Brazilian bossas and sambas, and North and West African pieces! Alan Hirano along with our man Roger Meyer at VC will do the sound-design and lighting! The concert will be filmed and recorded.

Friday, Feb. 2: Bryan Pezzone - Called the consummate crossover pianist of his generation, he excels in classical, contemporary, jazz, and experimental genres and is known for both his versatility and virtuosity as a performing artist, improviser and composer. He has performed with many major symphony orchestra associations, has toured widely with the jazz group Free Flight, and is known in the Los Angeles area as one of the primary free-lance pianists for film and television soundtrack recording, contemporary music premieres, and chamber music accompanying. He is a consulting editor for the well-known publication "Piano and Keyboard."

Saturday, Feb. 3: Classical Guitar—Enjoy an evening of treasured works performed by VC Faculty member and renowned guitarist Carlos Gonzales. Carlos has recorded two (2) professional studio cassettes and two (2) full length video productions which are featured on local cable channels. Pursuing his love for classical guitar music, Carlos has been instrumental in guiding local artists in his classes at Ventura College and Oxnard College as well as private instruction.

Sunday, Feb. 4: Phillip Viaman - Philip Vaiman and his unique quartet "La Camerata"offers an exciting program where Latin, Jazz, and Classics meet and mingle. Featuring mesmerizing voice of Marissa Steingold, the fiery guitar of Kenton Youngstrom, Philip Vaiman's virtuosic violin and Max Velichkin's deep sonorous cello. The quartet is an evocative blend of the European and South American traditions and sounds. The program includes the Latin sounds from Brazil and Argentina, Jazz favorites from Gershwin’s "'Three Preludes " tastefully mixed with the timeless Classics from Bach.

For additional information, call Alisa Moore at 805-654-6462.

The César Mateus Latin Jazz Sextet