ABOUT JOSEFINA’S LATIN JAZZ GROUP

Genre: Latin Jazz

Join us for a special evening of Latin Jazz with Josefina’s Latin Jazz Group. Josefina has assembled another amazing group of players for the evening. Seriously. Check out these bios.

Josefina Mendez – Vocalist

Josefina Mendez started studying music and training her voice at the age of 15 in her home town of Buenos Aires Argentina. Even though her voice lessons were Italian Opera, her passion and practice was jazz. At the age of 18 she was the youngest person to perform with the Argentine National Jazz Orchestra. She moved to the U.S. 21 years ago and for the last 13 years she has been performing in the Roaring Fork Valley. The music performed by Josefina combines rhythms, melodies, and different performance traditions that surpass the boundaries between language and culture.

Walter Gorra – Piano

Walter Gorra is an award-winning pianist, composer and arranger based out of the New York/New Jersey metro area. Currently 28 years old, Walter graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder Magna Cum Laude and High Honors in May 2017 with the following three degrees – MS Structural engineering, BM Jazz Piano and BS Civil Engineering. He then pursued a master’s degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging at William Paterson University in New Jersey, graduating in May 2019.

In 2016, Walter led his Colorado quartet in a two-month residency at the Denver jazz club – Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club; performing his original music and arrangements. After completing this residency, he and his group, the Walter Gorra Quartet, dove into the studio to record Walter’s debut album “In Due Time” which was released August 1, 2018. “In Due Time” was nominated for the 17th annual Independent Music Awards (The IMAs) as “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” and in September of 2018 was selected as CD of the month by KUVO Jazz in Denver, CO. In Walter’s own words “music is a way to express oneself in a way that is often more powerful than words. Through my compositions and my playing I can describe people, places and experiences in the best way that I can. My debut album, ‘In Due Time,’ is really a snapshot of many of the events and people that have influenced me as a musician and as a person.”

In 2015, Walter was one of 30 young artists selected by KUVO during their 30th Anniversary year, as part of their “30 Under 30” campaign given them the spotlight and opportunity to have their audience become acquainted with them and their music. In February of 2015, Walter received a grant from the Boettcher Foundation to present and play with NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera in a master class and concert. The group, “The Walter Gorra Septet” played with Paquito D’Rivera at the KUVO radio studios in Denver, at the University of Colorado Boulder during a masterclass, and at the Mount Vernon Country Club in Denver.

 Gonzalo Teppa – Bass

2 time Latin Grammy Nominee for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” and “Best Latin Jazz Album”, for work on the recordings “Tiempo” by Linda Briceño; and “3rd Element” by Luisito Quintero.

Named “Best Jazz Soloist” by Downbeat Magazine in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Received “Best Jazz Soloist” award at the Greeley Jazz Festival in 2004 and 2005.

Performed with: Wynton Marsalis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Matt Wilson, Ed Simon, Chris Potter, Tom Harrell, Ron Miles, Art Lande, Slide Hampton, Don Byron, Jeremy Pelt, Ben Goldberg, and others.

Alejandro Castaño – Drums

Alejandro Castaño is an active performer and educator in the United States and abroad. Castano’s performances and recording credits include Ron Miles, Eric Gunnison, Greg Gisbert, Peter Sommer, Steve Turre, Benny Bannack lll, Gabriel Mervine and many others. He received his Bachelors in Jazz Studies from Metropolitan University of Denver in 2015. He is an educator at Denver School of the Arts, teaching percussion and Jazz. Castañois the Director of Education for the Gift of Jazz as well as an educator for the Colorado Conservatory of the Jazz Arts. 

DETAILS

• Doors open @ 7:00pm // Show @ 8:00pm
• Seated Show
• Location: TACAW, 400 Robinson St, Basalt, CO 81621