Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares

Michele Rosewoman is a groundbreaking pianist, composer and bandleader, who has been working at the highest levels of creative music for over 40 years. Throughout her career, she has led her New Yor-Uba Ensemble, which connects ancient Yoruba culture from Nigeria, with Cuba and the United States. Brass, saxophones, and a rhythm section complement key Cuban elements including three batá and conga drummers, traditional vocals and dance. We will bring Michele Rosewoman to the beautiful Newhouse Hall at the Community Music School of Springfield (MA) to present her 11-piece New Yor-Uba Ensemble. We will partner with CMSS to have Ensemble members work with students. We will record and air a panel discussion about Cuban music and its impact on world culture on local public media. Working with the Archive Project, we will videotape the concert and include it in Special Collections of the DuBois Library at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.