 Andrés Prado © Andera Canter Lima, Peru native guitarist/composer Andrés Prado made quite an impression on local jazz audiences during his two years in the Twin Cities. His performances at the Artists Quarter and Dakota, as well as at the KBEM Winter Jazz Festival and Freedom Jazz Festival, featured diverse sets ranging from Coltrane to Peruvian folk themes. Relocating again to Lima last September, Prado returns to the Artists Quarter this weekend (May 30-31) and to the Dakota on Tuesday (June 3rd), bringing along his wide-ranging repertoire rooted in the Andes and Amazon, from Creole waltzes to Afro-Peruvian grooves, and a bevy of original compositions melding all of the above with a post bop sense of invention. His usual suspects include Twin Cities’ all-stars Pete Whitman (sax), Kevin Washington (drums), Anthony Cox(bass) and Peter Schimke (piano). Only in his mid 30s, Andres Prado brings to his music the influences of jazz and classical studies at conservatories in Lima (National Conservatoire of Music), Buenos Aires (Avellaneda School of Popular Music), and London (Trinity College of Music). During his post-graduate studies at Trinity in 2002, he garnered three prestigious awards—the Isabel Bond Gold Medal Award for best performer of the year, the Montagu Cleeve Guitar Prize for best guitarist, and the founders Prize for Excellence. Prado has taught Latin and jazz guitar at conservatories in both London and Peru over the past few years, as well as lecturing in Jazz Performance at McNally Smith in St. Paul.
 Andres Prado © Howard A. Gitelson Andres Prado has released three recordings on the Minnesota-based RPM Records label—Chinchano (classical Peruvian folk music), Jazz Imagery (contemporary jazz), and his most recent, Live at the Artists Quarter (2006). He’s currently working on recordings of solo classical guitar and a follow-up of Jazz Imagery with Enrique Luna. Last spring, he was featured at the Lima International Jazz Festival where he was joined by Minnesota compatriots Jeff Bailey and Kevin Washington.  Kevin Washington © Andrea Canter Drummer Kevin Washington grew up surrounded by music in Detroit before moving to the Twin Cities, where he keeps busy with the Doug Little Quartet, Moveable Feast, Jazz Is Now Orchestra, Nachito Herrera’s Puro Cubano, and his own ensembles. Internationally acclaimed bassist Anthony Cox built his reputation in New York before relocating to his native Twin Cities. His resume includes performances and recordings with Stan Getz, Dewey Redman, Joe Lovano, Sam Rivers, John Scofield and more. Currently he commutes to teach at the University of Iowa and tours with the Grismore Scea band. The keyboards will be masterfully engaged by Peter Schimke, one of the area’s most highly-touted talents. In addition to his frequent appearances with Bruce Henry, How Birds Work, and other area ensembles, Peter’s resumé includes performances at Ronnie Scott’s in London and co-producing, arranging and performing with Mark Murphy and Ben Sidran. Peter has also performed with Art Farmer, Frank Morgan, Anthony Cox, Danny Gottlieb, and Mark Egan, among others, and recently released Duo with legendary saxman Irv Williams. Sax master Pete Whitman is well known locally as the leader of Departure Point and the X-Tet, and member of the JazzMN Big Band, as well as an instructor at McNally Smith College in St. Paul.  Peter Schimke © Andrea Canter If you missed the opportunity to hear this creative fusion of modern jazz and traditional Peru, or if you already have enjoyed the experienece, here is a rare chance! The Andres Prado Quintet leaves no doubt as to the local impact of global warming! The Andres Prado Quintet performs at 9 pm on May 30-31 at the Artists Quarter, 408 St. Peter Street in downtown St. Paul. Visit www.artistsquarter.com. On Tuesday, June 3 at 7 pm, he will perform at the Dakota Jazz Club , 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com A recent video of the Andrés Prado quintet: |
Thursday, 21 August 2008
