Lecture with Jazz Artist, Dayramir Gonzalez

Internationally praised pianist and composter, this New York City-based Afro Cuban jazz artist Dayramir Gonzalez will give a talk at 4 PM about his Cuban roots and his journey as a musician. At 7 PM he will be joined by his band for a not-to-be-missed concert.  Please register for each program separately.

In 2005 Gonzales won first place in Havana’s JoJazz festival in the composition category, winning a record deal with Cuba’s national label Colibri.  He recorded his first album, released in Cuba in 2007, and titled “Habana enTRANCE,” displaying his skills as artist, bandleader, and composer. The album would go on to win three Cubadisco Awards, (considered the Grammys of Cuba). He was then awarded a musical scholarship to Boston’s revered Berklee College of Music in the U.S.

Gonzalez is also the co-founder of The Art School of Contemporary Performance and Creativity, based in the Bronx, providing musical education to city elementary and high school kids with higher musical aspirations, themselves. The enterprising artist modeled the curriculum after the extensive and enlightening musical programs he benefited from in his native Cuba. “We focus on piano, composition and music theory – emphasizing discipline and the acquisition of an earned knowledge base.  I find it very rewarding if we can launch even a handful of kids on the road to finding their own musical destiny,” said Gonzalez.

The Ridgefield Jazz, Funk & Blues Weekend is a four-day fall event in the culturally rich and scenic town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Throughout the weekend, a tremendously talented lineup of jazz, funk, and blues artists will perform all over town, from an outdoor show at Ballard Park to regional powerhouse Ridgefield Playhouse. The Ridgefield Jazz, Funk & Blues Weekend is Ridgefield’s premiere event this September. The program is a collaboration between the participating venues and the Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission.

For more information visit www.jazzfunk.org.

The lecture and concert are free thanks to the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.