DCC Presents Brazilian Jazz on March 22
Release Date March 07, 2005

For the 18th year in a row, the Dutchess Community College Lyceum Series presents bandleader, arranger, and flugelhorn soloist Matt Finley and Rio JAZZ, with its unique Brazilian/American jazz sound on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. This free, cabaret-style show featuring coffee and culinary delights will be held in the Louis Greenspan North Cafeteria, Drumlin Hall. For information, contact the Office of Student Activities at (845) 431-8050. The concert is co-sponsored by DCC Student Activities and the Music Performance Trust Fund.

Rio JAZZ, the area’s foremost Brazilian jazz band, was formed by Matt Finley in 1988 to play contemporary and cutting edge music of Brazil, Brazilian jazz standards, and original compositions by Finley and other band members. The band performs at select locations during the year, always where there is free admission. To check out the Rio JAZZ sound with MP3 file excerpts, visit the band’s website at www.riojazz.com.

Brazilian music may be commonly known by the easy-going Bossa Nova style, said Finley, but currently, “Brazilian jazz is going in another direction. Now, it’s more fusion – it has almost a rock influence, with heavier drum sound, electric bass, and guitars playing synthesizer sounds,” he said. “Some of the songs you’ll hear at the concert, including one of my new samba compositions, feature that fusion sound. It’s hard to find that kind of music anywhere else live – at least not in this area.”

This year’s concert features Matt Finley on flugelhorn and soprano sax, with Rio JAZZ regulars Peter Tomlinson on piano, Jeff Ciampa on guitar, Terry Silverlight on drums, and Tomas Martin Lopez on Latin percussion. They are joined by guest artist John Menegon on acoustic bass. Menegon, a Kingston resident, has performed with Curtis Fuller, John Hicks, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, and Teri Roiger, and is featured on recent recordings of David “Fathead” Newman.

“I love to have guests with the band because it keeps us on our toes,” Finley said. “I have played with Peter Tomlinson, the pianist, for 20 years now, and I think many of us know each other's tendencies pretty well. It’s nice to change things with different players, and I do that in every concert.” This year features a smaller ensemble than Rio JAZZ often uses. “Each of us will have more of a chance to stretch out and develop solos,” said Finley. “I would expect this to be as much like a jazz club date as a concert.”

Finley has worked with top jazz artists, including five years with Grammy award-winning baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola of “L.A. Bound.” He was jazz trumpet soloist and arranger with the Albany Jazz Workshop, and has performed in the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Troy Music Hall, the Colonie Coliseum, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, the Last Chance, and the Bardavon Opera House. One of Finley’s most recent compositions, When She’s Gone, was recently selected for publishing as a high school stage band chart, and Rio JAZZ will perform the song in the concert.

Matt Finley is also an educator. Although officially retired from Dutchess Community College, he continues to teach in the Computer Information Systems program, and has also taught music at the College and led the DCC Jazz Ensemble. He is currently an interim Associate Dean in the Office of Academic Affairs. “Part of my mission is educational – to bring live music to a wider audience, and introduce it to people who may not be familiar with it.”

About the musicians:

Peter Tomlinson, piano, lives in Hurley. He has several CDs out and has performed with Hubert Laws, Ron Carter, Kenny Washington and Jimmy Cobb. His most recent CD is For Evan's Sake, a duet with guitarist Peter Einhorn. Tomlinson is on the jazz piano faculty at Western Connecticut State College.

Jeff Ciampa, guitar, lives in Warwick. He recently recorded with Harry Belefonte and Dave Matthews and often performs with Mark Egan and Danny Gottleib. He recorded Project Ivan Lins with the Brazilian singer Kenia, and has just released his second solo CD, "House of Mirrors" for Wavetone Records.

Tomas Martin Lopez, Latin percussion, lives in Poughkeepsie. He has performed with top Latin bands, including Grammy Nominee Lalo Rodriguez, Orq, Broadway, Louie Ramirez. He currently plays with Master Drummer John Amira in Afro Cuban & Haitian Drum & Dance in NYC, teaches Latin Percussion in the Hudson Valley area, and fronts his own band, Caribe Sol.

Terry Silverlight, drums, lives in Tarrytown. He has several CDs out and has just released his newest, Wild featuring Hiram Bullock, David Mann, Lew Soloff and Chuck Loeb. Terry recorded with George Benson, Roberta Flack, Phil Woods, and many other greats. Also an accomplished keyboard player, Terry has been a songwriter and arranger for Nancy Wilson, Phil Ingram and Carl Anderson. His new drum methods book has just been published by Schirmer.

NEWS & EVENTS | Dutchess Community College HOME

Comments and questions about this page can be directed to the Office of Community Relations.

Copyright © 2003