closes GenNext, Taste returns
Bringing a successful season of Jazz to a close, the South Motors Jazz Series at Pinecrest Gardens will feature Grammy-nominated artist Ed Calle performing a special tribute to the music of George Gershwin and to the greatest saxophone legends throughout the decades.
Calle is known for his extraordinary ability to play bebop, Latin and contemporary jazz, and pop. He appears on best-selling albums by Frank Sinatra, Vicky Carr, Arturo Sandoval and Jon Secada, as well as on numerous television and motion picture soundtracks. He has recorded and performed around the world with such artists as Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Michael Bolton, Bob James, Bobby Caldwell, Rhianna, Extreme, and Vanessa Williams.
Among his many solo recordings, Ed Calle Plays Santana garnered a Latin Grammy nomination in 2005. His 2006 release In the Zone features original compositions and jazz standards and earneda Latin Grammy nomination. Join Calle and his Big Band in the Banyan Bowl on Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $25 and you can select your seat online at <pinecrestgardens.org>.
If you don’t get your fill of great jazz on Saturday night, you can return to the Gardens on Sunday, April 6 at 6 p.m. when the South Motors Gen-Next series concludes with renowned local jazz artist Aaron Lebos. His quartet, Reality, is a powerful, unique and original group from Miami whose music encompasses styles of Jazz, Funk, Rock, R&B, Latin and World Music. Since forming in 2012, Aaron Lebos Reality has exploded in South Florida attracting both the highest level of musicians and mainstream audiences.
Playing at Miami’s premier venues, the group has been showcased on NPR numerous times. Lebos is a well-known, versatile guitarist born and raised in South Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and a Masters from Florida International University, both in Jazz Performance. He developed much of his versatility playing gigs, touring and recording in the diverse South Florida music scene. He currently plays with some of the biggest names in South Florida such as Nicole Henry, Tony Succar and The Spam All-stars. The group is made up of Eric England on bass, Jim Gasior on keyboards and Rodolfo Zuniga on drums, some of the most in-demand musicians in South Florida. They have been friends and played together for years in various groups, but joined in early 2012 for a new project with a new sound, and the magic happened instantly.
The new sound is more contemporary and progressive than Lebos’ previous group and includes many diverse elements, including Jazz, Funk, Rock and even one Reggaeton song. Aaron Lebos Reality shows are highenergy bolts of music that have no explanation other than sounds that go straight to the heart of the listener. Admission to this concert is free.
Other performances on the Banyan Bowl stage include the final weekend of Miami Acting Company’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim from the book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. This outrageously funny and entertaining musical is a winner of nine Tony Awards, including best musical of the year. Performances: Friday and Saturday, March 28-29, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Taste of Pinecrest returns to the Gardens this year. Each Spring, families, students, foodies and community members gather for the this event, this year on Sunday, April 6, starting at 11 a.m. This is the 12th anniversary of the community festival spearheaded by the Pinecrest Business Association and supported by title sponsor Panter, Panter & Sampedro. The Taste of Pinecrest has something for everyone, including local restaurants, activities and entertainment for the kids, an incredible business showcase and even a bicycle valet. There will be hands-on arts and science activities, exhibitions of yoga and Pilates, as well as cooking demonstrations.
In addition to the community partner showcase, the kids of Pinecrest are the stars of the day! School groups will perform their interpretation of the theme “A Community of Respect – No Place for Hate” in the Banyan Bowl between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Live music will follow the student performances. Admission is $5 per person and includes one free children’s ticket with each paid adult. Maximum entry charge is $15 per family. In addition to admission into the Taste of Pinecrest, tickets also give visitors all-day access to Pinecrest Gardens, including the splash pool and petting zoo.
All proceeds from the Taste of Pinecrest support the five public schools in the community — Pinecrest Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Howard Drive Elementary, Palmetto Middle School and Palmetto Senior High School. what’s up at the gardens?
