The Union College Department of Music presents an evening of Latin jazz with Triple Play, featuring Bill O'Connell on piano, Dave Valentin on flute and Richie Flores on percussion, Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium, the Taylor Music Center. The event is free and open to the public.
O'Connell has played with some of the leading names in jazz, including Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Mongo Santamaria, Gato Barbieri and Randy Brecker.
His numerous recordings have received critical acclaim, and his original compositions can be heard on bandstands around the globe. On four separate occasions, O'Connell has received the "Jazz Writer of the Year" award from SESAC, the performing rights organization.
For three decades, he has collaborated with Dave Valentin, one of the top jazz flutists working today. Valentin has released more than 20 albums, received several Latin Grammy nominations and won the 2003 Grammy for "Best Latin Jazz Album" with the Caribbean Jazz Project's album "The Gathering." He appears in the 2001 documentary “Calle 54.”
A gigging musician since he was eight, percussionist Richie Flores has played with a Who's Who of Latin music, including Eddie Palmieri, Hilton Ruiz, Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Dave Samuels and the Fania All Stars.
For more information, contact Professor Tim Olsen, olsent@union.edu; ext. 6785.