World Class Orchestra

Description:

Name:

World Class Orchestra

Screen Name:

World Class Orchestra

Years Together:

1

Level Of Commitment:

Touring

Gigs Played:

Under 10

Tend to Practice:

1 time per week

Available to Gig:

1 time(s) per week

World Class Orchestra composed of 67 World Class (FAMOUS) Musicians from area Orchestra's and beyond. Pro level only, no students. Must have a bio.

On The Podium 16: TANGO PROJECT and the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade Practice at ARTSERVE from 5-9pm
The TANGO PROJECT is now underway and will be meeting at ARTSERVE, 1350 East Sunrise Blvd., on November 11, at 7-8 PM. This will be the first meeting for the group to establish the participants. Please do not bring your Instruments as this will be a Round Table Discussion. The Plan is to gather together the Musicians that have an interest in this Musical endeavor and to formulate the Band. Each Musician is bringing years of experience and Professional ability, each will be chosen for their desire to promote NEW TANGO MUSIC. The TANGO PROJECT has the support of several very influential people in the music business that will help us succeed. WORLD CLASS ORCHESTRA composed of 50 Professional Musicians and the LATIN MAGIC ENSEMBLE composed of 17 Professional Musicians will support the TANGO PROJECT as Musicians are needed. We have chosen to invite the most innovative Musicians in the World for the TANGO PROJECT and believe that success is imminent.

Please join us on November 11, at ARTSERVE and help make this valuable contribution to MUSIC come to fruition. Do you Tango? Nov. 11 we are meeting with our Tango Musicians and we have a winner with Singer, Movie and Television Star, Stella Milano. http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/StellaMilano Check this out! We have NEW TANGO MUSIC from Stella and a few others and this will be the only Band EVER in the US that features 4 Bandoneon's. Put the Orchestra behind that and we have the most sensational Latin act in the US, maybe of all time. http://www.mandragoratango.com/whoweare.php Bob Barnes is another Player in this Tango Project as he has offered us his Orchestrated Tango Music for us to record. He will assist us in any way we need and has extensive ties to the Tango Community, his group is in Minnesota.

World Class Orchestra "OPEN INVITATION" 61st Junior Orange Bowl Parade on 1-2-2010 at 6pm-8pm ALL AGES

Practice Scheduled for November 11 at 5-9 PM at ARTSERVE 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. All Ages, Bring Your Instrument and Stand, Patriotic Music Provided!!!
STAR SPANGLED BANNER, GOD BLESS AMERICA, STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR, AMERICA, AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL and BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
Contact: Andrew Singer, Chairman of World Class Orchestra #954-624-2240

Influences:

Classical, Show, Pop, Latin, Big Band.

TITO PUENTE: MUSIC ICON
by Abel Rojas Junior for World Class Orchestra

On April 20, 1923, one of the most cherished symbols of Latin jazz was born in New York City's Harlem Hospital. One of three children, Tito Puente was born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr., Ernest and Ercilla Puente, immigrants from Puerto Rico. The Puente, which means bridge in Spanish, family lived in Spanish Harlem, also known as El Barrio in Manhattan. At age seven, Tito was taking piano lessons at the New York School of Music as his mother noticed a strong desire by Tito toward music. Tito then moved on to dancing but that aspiration was stifled when he had a terrible bicycle accident and tore a tendon in his ankle. At age 10, Tito started to do research on percussion and his mother had him take lessons for $0.25 an hour. At home, Tito would bang on everything he could and listen to the different sounds they would make, building in his mind a 'library of sound' that he would later use in creating his colorful repertoire of music. There is no doubt that it was these early experiences that gave this musical virtuoso mastership of more than a dozen percussion instruments in tandem with his ability as a composer and arranger of music, mother knows best. At age 13, Tito decided to join Ramon Oliver’s Big Band as a drummer. Two years later Tito Puente dropped out of school to take a seasonal job with a Miami Beach band. During his tenure in Miami Beach he learned and performed various Latin dance rhythms. When he returned to Manhattan, he started his new job with Jose Curbelo, who later became the first mambo king.

At age 19, Tito was drafted into the Navy to serve for 3 years aboard the Naval Ship, the USS Santee. He was drafted in 1942 during World War II, and going in to battle seemed imminent. While in the Navy, Tito participated in 9 battles. During his time spent in the military, he learned to play the saxophone and learned the basics of Big Band composition. After participating in 9 battles, and after he completed his 3 years, the GI Bill allowed Tito to receive a Presidential Commendation which allowed him to study at the famous Juilliard School of Music. Tito studied conducting, orchestration and musical theory while in school. He completed his studies at Juilliard at the age of 24. A year after his graduation from Juilliard, Tito started to play with Fernando Alverez, Jose Curbelo, Pupi Campo, and the rest of the Copacabana Group. In 1948, at the age of 25, Tito formed his own band called the Piccadilly Boys, later known as the Tito Puente Orchestra, a ten piece Orchestra. They soon produced their first hit, “Abaniquito,” with the Tico Records Label. He later signed with RCA Victor records and produced another hit, “Ran Kan Kan.” In the 1950’s, Puente started producing hits back to back. Then in 1956, he was recognized as “The King of Mambo, King of Latin Music.” He started a new era of music combining Cuban “cha-cha-cha” beats with his own Big Band compositions. In 1958, RCA released, Dance Mania, his all-time best selling album. During the 1960’s, Puente started to collaborate with more and more artists such as Celia Cruz and La Lupe. Tito then started to find an interest in jazz music. He started to play in New York City Jazz Clubs, and combined Jazz with the type of music that became known as Salsa. In 1963, he released “Oye Como Va.” In 1967, Tito Puente performed his program at the Metropolitan Opera at the Lincoln Center. Then in 1968, Puente aired his television show called “The World of Tito Puente,” on Spanish language television. He was the Grand Marshall of New York City's Puerto Rican Day Parade. One year later John Lindsay gave Tito Puente the key to New York City as a sign of appreciation. Tito received the key to the City of Los Angeles in 1976, the key to the City of Chicago in 1985, and the key to the City of Miami in 1986.

In 1970, Carlos Santana did a remake of the earlier Puente’s, “Oye Como Va,” and had great success with the song. It is considered a classic and almost 40 years later is still a fresh and vibrant work that can be heard worldwide on a daily basis, it is featured on the Abraxas Album. Tito Puente and Carlos Santana eventually collaborated in 1977 to perform at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan which had the crowd screaming for an encore! In 1979, Puente won his first Grammy Award for his album “A Tribute to Benny More.” 1979, is also the year that Tito established The Tito Puente Scholarship Fund, enabling other children to be able to receive an education in music. He also went on tour in Japan. The audience loved and adored Puente’s music as much as the Hispanic People did. He then realized he was an International Super Star! When he returned from Japan, Puente and his group performed for President Jimmy Carter for a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. 1980 and 1981 provided us with his last Big Band Albums. Puente continued to record and perform in the 1980’s. He also founded the Tito Puente Scholarship Foundation which was very much appreciated by people all over the country. He has helped musically talented children to pursue their dreams. That same foundation later signed a contract with All Net Communications to provide scholarships for music to children all over the country. He was featured on “The Bill Cosby Show,” and a Coca-Cola commercial with Bill Cosby. He also appeared on the films “Radio Days,” and “Armed and Dangerous!” He received his Doctorate Degree from the college of Old Westbury in the late 1980’s. In total he won three Grammy Awards in the 1980’s which consisted of “On Broadway,” in 1983, “Mambo Diablo,” in 1985, and “Goza Mi Timbal!” He received a total of 8 Grammy Award nominations before 1994 which were more than any other Hispanic person had ever received!

On August 14, 1990, Puente received a Hollywood star for posterity. He also was awarded with, “The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal!” This same year he was awarded a Grammy at the Latin Grammy Awards for his album, “Mambo Birdland!” In the early 1990’s, Puente was a well known international star and started to perform overseas. In 1991, Puente appeared in the film “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love.” He also recorded his 100th album that year with RMM records! In July of '94, Puente was awarded ASCAP’s most prestigious award, The Founders Award! In 1997, Tito was Awarded with the National Medal of Arts. Tito was energized with his relationship with Eddie Palmieri and their completed work of the CD, Masterpiece/Obra Maestra. Then, a disastrous event happened which would change everything. Tito Puente suffered a heart attack after a show in Puerto Rico. He had heart surgery in New York City involving a heart valve replacement but Tito did not fully recover. He died on May 31, 2000. He was posthumously awarded his 5th Grammy Award, The Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2000. He left his legacy behind with all of us to hold dear in our hearts, the man who dearly loved all of us and gave us himself in every performance which could be seen on his face with those enticing expressions and smiles and his love of music, had passed. During his career, Puente received a total of 5 Grammy Awards and recorded 118 albums! Tito achieved many more Awards and I only touched on some of the most important areas of his life but I recommend to any interested person a thorough read of the many articles and stories written about Tito Puente, to collectors of the music of Tito Puente, World Class Orchestra is always interested in hearing from you and any one with any Tito Puente stories that you may wish to share. We will publish the ones that we feel are the best ones on our website." I am encouraged by the work of this young man, Abel Rojas Junior, who wrote this article and has come to know the story of Tito Puente, I grew up on his music and have come to know Tito Puente Junior and respect him as a Performer and a friend," Andrew Singer, Chairman of World Class Orchestra.

Tito Puente had a positive impact on the world and particularly the world of music and many people from all walks of life were filled with sorrow when he died. Music is a language unto itself that no matter what language one speaks, people understand. Tito was considered by his friends and peers to have been a humble man. If he were here today, he would not want us to feel sorrow, but embrace life and go out for our dreams. Though Tito Puente is no longer here with us, we all know that his life, music, and memories will remain in our hearts forever. His son, Tito Puente, Jr., continues his fathers legacy by presenting his fathers songs in his recording and performances, and advancing Latin music and all music by being creative, and innovative and following his own heart, a heart that is also filled with the love of music and performing. His daughter, Aubrey Puente went on to become a meteorologist for the news broadcast on WNWY. It is people like Tito Puente that make us proud of our heritage. Tito Puente is now gone but will never be forgotten! In closing I would like to quote from the Time Magazine article the words that Marc Anthony conveyed regarding Tito Puente upon his untimely death in 2000. "He was the Founding Father of Latin Music as we know it, the Master of Masters. He took all the hits in the beginning. Without Tito, who would have carried it this long? Who would have helped generations make Latin music their own?" singer Marc Anthony.

Tito Puente

El Rey De Los Timbales

Equipment List:

All Equipment individually owned

Members Of Band:

Conductor
Donald Covert
John Branzer

Violin * 6
Leana Strouse,
Concertmaster
Elena Dumitrescu,
Assistant Concertmaster
Sarah Wallace
Eddi Shraybman
Paulo Diaz
Sandra Rubio

II. Violin *6
Erika Venable,
Principal
Emiko Vennerholt
Diana Sanchez,
Assistant Principal
Elaine Li
Keisha Frith
Marlon Contreras
Arturo Oliva
Janice Gisele Muller

Viola *4
Martin Goldman,
Principal
Rafael Ramirez,
Assistant Principal
Ronny Romano
Marius Berceanu
Galina Dennison

Cello *4
Madalina Macovei,
Principal
Paul Moreno,
Assistant Principal
Linda Kim
Michael Camel

Bass *2
David Warshauer,
Principal
Gabriel Torres

Flute
Abe Betesh,
Principal

Piccolo
Emma Niesl

Oboe *2
Nick Thompson
Principal

Clarinet *2
Rachel Branzer
Principal
Alejandro Lozada

Bassoon *2

Horn *2
Barbara Kimball,
Principal
Michele Branzer

Trumpet *2
John Branzer,
Principal
Larry Morse

Trombone *3
Franco Jimenez,
Principal
Paul Smith
Jose Leonardo

Tuba
Bill Muter

Saxophone
James Brannock

Timpani
Tulio Cremisini

Baritone
Dan Hansen

Soprano
Joanne Togati
Laura Antonina Vicari

Mandolin
Rafael Ramirez

Percussion
Gary Mayone

Harp
Deborah Fleisher

Piano
Matthew Weissman
Galina Zavalijs

Personnel Manager
Andrew Singer

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