Juan P. Chavez - Salsa Violinist

New Website

2010-03-24T00:00:00.003-04:00

Berklee Salsa with Strings Octet Get Double Jazz Billing

2008-08-05T03:24:00.001-04:00

Juan Chavez y Arco Kemao will play the Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival.

July 22, 2008

Berklee College of Music salsa octet Juan Chavez y Arco Kemao will perform twice on Saturday, August 9 as part of the Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival in San Jose, California. Chavez—whose violin, singing, and dancing with his salsa big band Díle were a highlight of the 2007 Kennedy Center Conservatory Project series in Washington, D.C.—brings to San Jose Araco Kemao, a fresh band of top Berklee students whose salsa delivery system features the triad of violin, viola, and cello. Rounding out the group are piano, saxophone, trombone, congas, and timbales.

A native of Dallas, Chavez began Arco Kemao—literally "burnt bow"—to honor salsa traditions and to help create some new ones. The group includes students from Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the continental U.S., many of whom grew up with Latin music, and others who simply could not keep away once they'd heard it.

Juan Chavez y Arco Kemao perform at 11:00 a.m. on the festival's Latin Jazz Stage, at Post and Market streets, and again that night at the Fairmont Hotel, from 9:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. On Sunday at 10:00 a.m., the group will give a youth master class on salsa rhythms and the use of strings at Camera 3, located at the corner of 2nd and Fernando streets.

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With more than a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing more than 70 countries, and a music industry "who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today—and tomorrow.

2 Salsa Workshops w/ Juan Chavez @ the Dance Complex

2008-08-03T00:45:00.003-04:00

1:30 - 3:00PM UNDERSTANDING SALSA RHYTHMS (Dance/Music Workshop)

This workshop teaches the fundamental rhythms of Afro-Cuban and Salsa music in depth, as well as more complex and unfamiliar rhythms, to enhance the dancers understanding of timing and improve musicality. Body movement will be used to help memorize some of the more familiar rhythms. As a bonus, this workshop will feature virtuoso Afro-Cuban percussionist from Berklee College of Music. This is a neutral timing class (applicable to ON1 or ON2). Class fee is $15 in advance or $25 total if paired with spin technique workshop ($20 each @ the door).

3:00 - 4:30PM SPIN, SPIN, SPIN!!! (Dance Technique Workshop)
This workshop teaches proper technique for both axle (in place) and pivot (traveling) spins in salsa dancing. A focus is placed on balance, core, spotting and timing. This class is taught ON2, though NO PRIOR ON2 KNOWLEDGE IS REQUIRED. High Heels are not allowed in this class (socks or jazz shoes only.) Class fee is $15 in advance or $25 total if paired with rhythms technique workshop ($20 each @ the door).

Afro-Cuban/Salsa Dance Class @ Jeannette Neill Dance Studio w/ Juan Chavez

2008-06-26T21:47:00.004-04:00

Wednesdays 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Starting July 9th

http://www.juanpchavez.com/dance
http://www.jndance.com/

This class is open to all levels and is NOT partnered.
There is an emphasis on body movement, musicality and spin technique.

The first hour includes a set warm up, workout and stretch and the last half hour is choreography.

Come check out this new class as well as all the other wonderful classes JNDS offers.

---------------------------------------------

Jeannette Neill Dance Studio:

Our class system is set up so that there is no registration or membership fee. Classes are ongoing, meaning that a student can start at any time. A student should start at a level appropriate to him or her. Progression to the next level is at the discretion of the student and/or the instructor. If you are unsure of your level, for your first class, we suggest that you start one level lower than the level at which you think you might be.

Fees & Policies

* Classes are $15 each.
* Class cards may be purchased at a discounted rate for multiple classes to be taken within a specific period of time:
........10 classes taken in 3 weeks costs $135
........10 classes taken in 6 weeks costs $140.
*Class cards are valid until they expire. They are transferable, but not refundable. Sorry, we do not replace lost or stolen cards.
* We accept cash and personal checks; no credit cards, sorry. Returned checks are subject to a $20 fee.
* We offer a professional rate to members of performing arts unions with valid ID.

Salsa Lessons in Boston | Afro-Cuban Classes in Boston | Salsa Boston

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival

2008-05-13T12:14:00.016-04:00

I had the great opportunity of playing the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival this weekend. The festival is ongoing throughout the summer and has some other great acts you should check out if you're in the area. Take a look at some of the press below.

Berklee Brings Music Mix to the North Shore for Salem Jazz and Soul Festival "Berklee Summer Series," May 10–August 9:
http://www.berklee.edu/news/2008/04/0429.html

The Salem Insider Review:
http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/05/12/salem-jazz-and-soul-festival/

Berklee students set to swing into Salem - The Salem News Online Article:
http://salemnews.com/punews/local_story_130004919.html

About.com Interviews Salsa Violinist Juan P. Chavez

2007-07-29T17:59:00.000-04:00

July 28, 2007

About.com's Music Careers section came to me a few weeks back asking if I would be interested in doing an interview with them about my experiences at Berklee. I said no...YEAH RIGHT!!! I was floored at the fact that anyone would want to interview me, much less a music guide owned and operated by the New York Times.

There is currently a link to my interview on the main page, musicians.about.com, but the direct link is http://musicians.about.com/od/educationandexperience/a/juanchavez.htm

Tell me what you think...

Tag Link:
Juan P. Chavez Interviewed by About.com

Juan P. Chavez Perfoms with Larry Harlow's Latin Jazz Encounter & The Latin Legends Band

2007-07-22T21:38:00.000-04:00

July 20-21, 2007

Well this weekend was very interesting. Larry Harlow and The Latin Legends band were going to be in Cambridge for a Salsa event at the Hyatt. On a whim I decided to e-mail Larry Harlow and ask I could play with the band. To my surprise I get an e-mail from him less than 5 minutes later that says "Bring your violin.. Sound check at 6pm in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency... Are you coming to Worcester Latin Jazz Encounter concert at 6:30 at the Ecoterium.. Sound check there is 4p...See ya...Harlow."
Well needless to say I was super excited and freaking out at work a little.

I don't have a car and none of my friends were willing to go to Worcester so I decided to take the train there, even though I only had about $20 left to my name...which is only enough to get to the EcoTarium...not back. Honestly! When else are you going to have the opportunity to play with Larry Harlow? So I'll go out there and play and figure the rest out when it's all said and done.

I'm supposed be there at 4, but the first train to Worcester doesn't leave until 4:10 but I'm still gonna go because late is better than never, right?! Well I miss the 4:10 train by a couple of minutes and the next train doesn't leave for an hour...I'm PISSED!!! I missed the train that was already making me late, the next one doesn't leave for another hour, I don't know how I'm going to get back to Boston, I'm drenched in sweat from running for the train and I'm hungry! So while debating with myself on whether or not I should just turn around and go home, I looked up and realized an hour had passed! So I hopped on the train without thinking twice and the second I sat down I fell asleep.

When I woke up we were in Worcester and it was about 6:15. I hopped in a cab and told the lady where to go. She could tell that I wasn't from Worcester so she drove me around for a good 20 minutes, sucking away the last of my money, even though the EcoTarium was only 1.5 miles away. I was angry but there was nothing I could do and I was more concerned about being late.

I get there and can hear them playing from the parking lot and run up to the event. I saw a table that said "Band" on it and sat next a women sitting by herself. I told her that Larry Harlow invited me to play with them and that my name was Juan. She was very nice and went up to Mr. Harlow (WHILE HE'S PLAYING ON STAGE) and told him that I was there. The next thing you know I'm jumping on stage in the middle of a song and playing my heart out. I was very nervous at first but after a while it was very natural and I was having a good time. The audience really liked me...I had people come up to me after the show and ask me for my autograph and to take pictures with them. It was very flattering!

The band members were all very nice, as well as amazing. Bobby Sanabria was on drums and he's a legend at Berklee, so it was an honor to meet him let alone play with him. The bass player was Ray Martinez and he was incredible! All the other musicians were great and very kind and said nice things about my playing, which was nice (even if it wasn't true.) It was Frank Fontaine on Sax and Flute, Chembo Corneil on Congas and Mac Gollehon (another Berklee Grad) on Trumpet.

After everything was over I was going to call someone to come pick me up but...my phone was dead! So I start walking back to train station where I will begin begging for money and playing my violin in the station for change. I managed to collect about $6 when a bus announced it was leaving for Boston. The bus ticket was $9, but I pleaded with the driver to please let me on. He said no. I pleaded some more and told him "I lost my wallet..I don't have anymore money" and finally he said to quit my whining and get on the bus in the rude way of speaking that New Englanders often do.

An hour-and-a-half later...I was home with a huge smile on my face and a empty wallet.

Day Two

So I'm supposed to be at the Hyatt at 6pm...I couldn't figure out what to wear so I was running a little late and got there at 6:30. Everyone was on musicians time so I was actually the first one there and sat alone for a good half-and-hour. Once Mr. Harlow got there he sat down and chatted with me for a long while. He told all kinds of stories about himself, other musicians and then just some random things. It was very unreal to just be sitting and talking with Larry Harlow. After a short while another one of my music idols walked in the room...Lewis Khan, a salsa trombonist/violinist and other Fania legend. It wasn't quite as easy to talk to him but was still cool nonetheless.

I sat out the first three songs but then jumped on for La Cartera. I got to trade 8's with Lewis Khan and even got to take an extended solo. Actually...I think I took a solo on every song I played that night. I'm sure that aggravated the dancers, but who cares...After it was all over I got to go up and hang out with them for a bit.

It was a great weekend.

More Photos From Kennedy Center Thanks to Rob Jaczko

2007-06-27T20:35:00.000-04:00

Rob Jaczko (the chair of the MP&E Department at Berklee) was kind enough to post the pictures he took from our trip. Click the link below to view Rob's site.

There are pictures from the Kennedy Center performance and our recording session at XM Satellite Radio.

http://www.jaczko.com/dc07/

-Juan

June 2007 News@Berklee.edu Features Juan and Dile

2007-06-01T17:56:00.000-04:00

June 1, 2007

Díle in D.C.
Díle, Berklee's 10-piece, Afro-Cuban salsa machine, blew through Washington, D.C. on May 24, making lots of new friends. In four days, leader Juan Chavez and the band played on the Voice of America, XM Radio's Caliente channel, and to a dancing-room only show in the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater. Watch the webcast.

Taken from: http://www.berklee.edu/newsletters/news/06_2007.html

Juan P. Chavez & Dile Perform for Stuck on Salsa Pre-Memorial Day Party

2007-06-01T00:15:00.000-04:00

Friday May 25, 2007

I was extremely fortunate to make an amazing new friend, Earl Rush (mastermind behind stuckonsalsa.com,) and meet and dance with some amazing people in D.C. this past Friday.

I, Juan P. Chavez, and Dile were lucky enough to play for some of the best dancers in the D.C. area. A good friend of mine, Betto from North Carolina's Mambo Dinamico, suprised me by showing up and of course my Sammy was there to support me. So you can be assured that there were plenty of super talented dancers attending. I really wish I could make it down for the Congress in a week; unfortunately, I have gigs every weekend this month.

Speaking of talented dancers...I must say D.C. has it's share! (Hey Julie and Kim.) Over all the vibe was great, everyone seemed to have a good time and Earl seemed happy, so I'm hoping it won't be our last Stuck on Salsa event. They placed a lot of photos and some videos on the website so go check them out. http://www.stuckonsalsa.com/

-Juan

Juan P. Chavez & Dile Record a Live Session at XM Radio

2007-05-31T23:55:00.001-04:00

Friday May 25, 2007

Juan P. Chavez and Dile Afro-Cuban Orchestra were asked to record a spot for XM's "XM Live" session. The recording went great and the studio was nothing less than amazing! The master should be coming back within the next two weeks and I'm very exicited to hear it...considering how great the unmixed version sounds.

It was a tremedous honor to be doing such a recording, especially since XM does NOT allow unrecorded artist in their studios and I, myself, and Dile happen to have been unrecorded at the time.

I really wish we could have shot some video while we were recording seeing as how the studio looked like something out of the movie.

It was my first time giving a live recording of that caliber as a lead vocalist as well as violinist so I'm anxious to hear the final product.

If you would like a copy feel free to contact me...

-Juan
juan@juanpchavez.com

The Voice of America Presents a Performance by Juan P. Chavez & Berklee College of Music’s High-Powered Latin Ensemble, Díle

2007-05-31T01:13:00.000-04:00

Wednesday May 23, 2006

I, Juan P. Chavez, was very fortunate to make my first television performance on Voice of America, a show broadcast to more than 115 million weekly worldwide. The show will air this summer (I believe) and features interviews and a half-hour performance.

Below is the info from thier website:

Join us from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, for a live performance by the new Latin band, Díle.

Díle (pronounced DEE-leh, meaning "tell him/her") features some of Boston’s Berklee College of Music's finest young musicians. Hailing from five nations and three continents, the members were drawn together at Berklee by the Latin music they love.

Díle—ten pieces, including a full horn section, percussionists, vocals, and violin—creates a deep, soulful, and infectious vibe that brings honor to the artistic tradition of the dance band.

Díle performs a repertoire that runs from classic '70s New York salsa to contemporary Cuban timba to popular Dominican merengue, from Tito Puente and Celia Cruz to Elvis Crespo and many more. Learn more at Berklee's website, at http://www.berklee.edu/about/.

**Limited Seating**
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Reservations required by May 22 to (202) 203-4959

VOA Headquarters
Wilbur J. Cohen Building Auditorium
330 Independence Avenue, SW C Street entrance
(1 blk. from Federal Center Southwest Metro stop)
Security screening will be in effect.
Photo I.D. required for entry into the Cohen Building

Taken from http://www.voanews.com/english/About/2007-05-21-dile.cfm

Juan P. Chavez, Jim Funnell and Rob Hayes Represent Berklee on WPFW 89.3 Latin Flavor

2007-05-30T18:03:00.000-04:00

Tuesday May 22, 2007

I, Juan P. Chavez, as well as my good friend Jim Funnell and Rob Hayes (VP of Public Information at Berklee) set of today for WPFW 89.3 "Latin Flavor" program with Marlene Fernandez. The show was my first and I had a very good time. I'm not really sure how many people were listening but we did get some calls wishing us luck at the Kennedy Center.

Hopefully it will not be my last radio interview.

http://www.wpfw.org/

Berklee Brings Infectious Latin Dance Band to the Kennedy Center, May 24

2007-05-29T23:48:00.000-04:00

Group will also record for XM Radio and Voice of America TV.

April 27, 20007

	Press: to inquire about photo availability and usage, please email us.

	Díle from left, front: Juan P. Chavez; Paulo Stagnaro; Ignacio Long; Gregorio Uribe; Marcelo Woloski. From left, back: Ryan Dragon; Davindar Singh; Billy Buss; Jim Funnell; Alex Gordeev.
	Photo by Nick Balkin

Boston's Berklee College of Music is proud to bring the high-powered Latin ensemble Díle to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Conservatory Project. This group of student all-stars will perform on Thursday, May 24, in the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, at 6:00 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.

Díle—ten pieces, including a full horn section, percussionists, vocals, and violin—creates a deep, soulful, and infectious vibe that brings honor to the artistic tradition of the dance band. The group is led by violinist Juan P. Chavez, whose talents are reflected in the musical passion and ability of every member of the group, which includes Down Beat Award winners, Berklee Presidential Scholars, and full scholarship recipients.

Performing a repertoire that runs from classic '70s New York salsa to contemporary Cuban timba to popular Dominican merengue, from Tito Puente and Celia Cruz to Elvis Crespo and many more, Díle (pronounced DEE-leh, meaning "tell him/her") features some of Berklee College of Music's finest young musicians. Hailing from five nations and three continents, the members were drawn together at Berklee by the Latin music they love.

Spreading their Latin groove beyond the concert hall, Díle's Kennedy Center performance will be webcast worldwide, at kennedy-center.org/millennium. Both XM Radio and Voice of America Television have also invited Díle to tape broadcasts for them while in the nation's capital.

Though just a few years old, Díle has played many of Massachusetts' major music and dance venues, and has also been fortunate enough to perform nationally, already listing New York, California, and Texas on their dance card. All these performances have helped build a large and loyal fan base: in 2006 they broke attendance records at SalsaBoston.com's annual summer festival.

Díle is:

Juan P. Chavez—Leader, Violin/Vocals
Born in Dallas, Texas, Juan Pablo Chavez began his musical studies as a violinist. He attended the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where he studied classical, jazz, and Afro-Cuban performance and composition and received many awards for his talents. At Berklee he is studying with violinist Rob Thomas (Mahavishnu Project, String Trio of New York). Juan is widely recognized for his knowledge of Afro-Cuban music and has taught many classes and workshops, including the 2004 Afro-Cuban Strings Seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to leading Díle, he is currently working on his first album, Salsa for Strings, and is writing a book on contemporary Afro-Cuban violin.

Billy Buss—Trumpet
Playing trumpet since the age of nine, Berkeley, California native Russell “Billy” Buss has received numerous awards, including the Monterey Jazz Festival's full-tuition Jimmy Lyons Scholarship to Berklee, two Outstanding Performance/Soloist awards from the Down Beat Student Music Awards, as well as the Gold Award in Jazz from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Billy was selected as a 2006 Presidential Scholar in the Arts and was honored by the President in a ceremony at the White House. His talents have allowed him the opportunity to perform at the Monterey, Umbria, and Montreux Jazz festivals; the Dubrovnik Summer Music Festival in Croatia; numerous festivals in Japan; and a variety of clubs in New York. Billy is currently in his first year at Berklee, where he is studying trumpet performance.

Ryan Dragon—Trombone
Currently in his first year at Berklee, Ryan was born and raised in Orange County, California, where he began playing the trombone at the age of 10. Ryan has played in a number of bands, including the California All-State Band, Cal State Fullerton Jazz Band, Johnny Mandel Big Band, Tumbao Melao,the Disneyland Band, and many other top groups in Southern California. In 2006 Ryan recorded his first album, with Los Angeles–based musicians.

Jim Funnell—Piano
Born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France, Jim began playing piano at the age of five. He is currently in his final year at Berklee, where he is studying jazz composition. Jim has received numerous awards and scholarships and is well respected by many excellent musicians for his talents. While at Berklee he has been able to study with Mark Walker, Matt Jenson, George Garzone, Leo Blanco, Hal Crook, Dave Santoro, Joe Lovano, Greg Hopkins, Terry Lyne Carrington, Danilo Pérez, and Ray Santisi and perform with Russell Ferrante and Marcus Baylor of the Yellowjackets, Jean Baylor, Meshell Ndegeocello, David Fiuczynski, the Berklee Heavy Groove Ensemble, and Marcus Miller.

Alex Gordeev—Alto Saxophone
Alex began his saxophone studies at age 11. In 1999 he was chosen as one of the finalists at the prestigious Generations in Jazz competition held each year in Mt. Gambier, Australia by the prominent jazz trumpeter James Morrison. Alex has been fortunate enough to study with classical saxophonist Alexey Volkov and jazz saxophonist Alexander Oseichuk and has numerous awards under his belt, including first place at the 2003 IV All-Russian Young Jazz Performers Competition held in Rostov-na-Donu, Russia. That same year he received a scholarship to study at Berklee, where he has had the privilege of studying and sharing the stage with Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Ed Tomassi, and Darren Barrett.

Ignacio Long—Bass
Born in Patagonia, Argentina, Ignacio began playing bass at age 15. He studied privately in Buenos Aires with Guillermo Vadalá and Cèsar Franov and has received a diploma in sound engineering and music production. He has also studied in New York at the Bass Collective, with Lincoln Goines, Matt Garrison, John Patitucci, Leo Traversa, and Gregory Jones, among others. Ignacio has performed in a variety of styles, including tango, Argentinean folk, candombe, Brazilian styles, salsa, and others. He is now in his final semester at Berklee, with a double major in film scoring and composition.

Davindar Singh—Baritone Saxophone
Davindar, from Redding, California, is a sophomore performance major at Berklee, where he was recently the recipient of the Charlie Parker Endowed Scholarship. A graduate of the Idyllwild Arts Academy, he began studying jazz as a freshman in high school. At Berklee he has studied with Ed Bedner, Ed Tomassi, Walter Beasley, Shannon Leclaire, and Hal Crook. Outside of Berklee he has studied with Marshall Hawkins, Paul Carman, noted Lennie Tristano disciple Harvey Diamond, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Vijay Iyer, Steve Lehman, Peter Epstein, and Tim Berne.

Paulo Stagnaro—Percussion
Born in Boston, Paulo was introduced to music at a young age. He began playing Peruvian cajon at the age of seven, sparking his passion for percussion and Latin music. He began playing congas, timbales, and various other percussion instruments at the age of 16. He began his studies at Berklee in the fall of 2005 and is currently studying percussion with Eguie Castrillo and Ernesto Diaz. While at Berklee Paulo has shared the stage with, among others, Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Samuels, Pedrito Martinez, Diego Urcola, Mark Walker, Edward Perez, former Conservatory Project bandleader Rafael Alcala, and his father and mentor, bassist Oscar Stagnaro.

Gregorio Uribe—Timbales
Gregorio Uribe, a native of Colombia, began his musical life at the age of nine when he took his first drum lessons. With the years he has explored many different styles of music, ranging from pop/rock to traditional Colombian music, which has led to his unique sound. Currently, Gregorio is finishing his studies at Berklee, where he has been honored with the Zildjian Steve Gadd Scholarship. He has shared the stage with Latin Grammy nominee "Mauricio Palo de Agua" and has performed with the legendary Ruben Blades.

Marcelo Woloski—Percussion
Marcelo Woloski, percussionist, was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He attended the Berklee International Network partner school in Argentina before moving to Boston to complete his studies as a scholarship student at Berklee. Marcelo's versatility has placed him in high demand on and off campus, performing in numerous shows at the prestigious Berklee Performance Center, as well as Boston's Ryles and RegattaBar nightclubs.

For editorial information or digital photos, the media may contact:

Rob Hayes
Office of Public Information
617 747-2566
rhayes@berklee.edu