November 24, 2014 – New York, NY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Department Readies Queens Band to Tour Venezuela, Represent US Culture
The US Embassy in Venezuela has chosen Queens-based Street Beat Brass Band to represent American culture on a tour of that country in January. Sponsored by the US State Department, the tour transpires Jan 14-21 sending the band as musical ambassadors through Caracas and San Cristobal. Activities include both performances such as at the San Sebastian Cultural Festival, and masterclasses conducted by band members for students of El Sistema (the iconic low-income music education program that groomed LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel). Led by Sunnyside composer-trombonist Jeff Fairbanks, the 5-piece ensemble draws on world brass traditions from such places as New Orleans, Sinaloa (Mexico), the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and more. Most of the band hails from Western Queens, while others live in Washington Heights and Park Slope.
Local fans have three chances to send off Street Beat Brass at pre-tour shows in NYC:
- Friday December 12th @ 9pm at Choga, 145 Bleeker St in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. FREE. www.chogausa.com 917-497-9474
- Friday January 2nd @ midnight (Friday night) at Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen St in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. FREE (21-up).www.rockwoodmusichall.com 212-477-4155
- Tuesday January 6th at Choga, 145 Bleeker St in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. FREE. www.chogausa.com 917-497-9474
Show details: www.facebook.com/streetbeatbrass
ABOUT STREET BEAT BRASS BAND
Street Beat Brass is a mobile 5-piece brass-and-drums band drawing on world brass traditions from NOLA, Gospel, Mexican, Caribbean, Klezmer, Polka, to Pop. Since 2012 it has played through greater NYC including events at iHeart Radio theater, Round Hill Music, and three appearances at the All Nite Soul festival.
www.streetbeatbrass.com
PRESS CLIPPINGS:
“Jazz needs more of this kind of music.” Bob Bernotas, Just Jazz WNTI 91.9FM
“Fairbanks’ fluid lines and lyrical sensibilities on trombone”. Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times“Magnificent!” Matthew Forss, Inside World Music