SHARON SPINETTI began her International career in 1990 as Soprano Soloist in the Verdi Requiem at the Sacred Music Festival in Nice, France. For the next fourteen seasons, Miss Spinetti sang the leading Soprano roles in the major Opera Houses of Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland. Italy, Israel, Mexico, Columbia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Canada and the United States.
Ms. Spinetti recently sang the World Premier of the late Giampaolo Bracali's "Il Tramonto Della Luna" and Luciano Berio's "Folk Songs" at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Ms. Spinetti teaches voice in her private studio in New York City, and is an Adjunct Voice Professor at New Jersey City University. She also conducts Master Classes in Voice in the U.S. and Internationally.
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A native of the South Bronx, RAY VEGA is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Mario Bauza, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Hector LaVoe, Johnny Pacheco, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez and Louie Ramirez to name a few. Ray has now established himself as one of the innovators of the New York Jazz trumpet scene. A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer, and arranger, he presents Jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective.
His two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut "Ray Vega", and "Boperation", along with his 1st release on the Palmetto label "Pa'lante" have been well received by critics, audiences and musicians alike. Vega's 2nd Palmetto CD "Squeeze, Squeeze" was released in Feb.2004 and has also received critical acclaim including Four Stars in Down Beat Magazine.
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JAMES SHIPP is a percussionist, composer, and arranger living in Yonkers, New York. Originally from Columbia, Maryland, James came to New York in 1998 to pursue his Bachelor of Music degree at SUNY Purchase. He holds that degree as well as a Master's of Music earned from the same school in 2003. James can be heard playing vibraphone and percussion with the Jo Lawry Quintet, the Steve Kroon Sextet, the Roz Corral Trio, and the Dave Devoe Quartet, to name a few. He is the leader of and composer/arranger for the New Standard Alliance, whose debut recording was released in 2004.
James has also recently found himself in the role of songwriter as a major contributor to a double album of children's music to be released later this year as part of an educational package designed to help school children worldwide learn to speak English. James teaches classes in jazz ear training and introductory jazz piano at his alma mater, SUNY Purchase.
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CHRIS HANEY is originally from Xenia, Ohio. He has played bass all over the New York area, the United States, and the world. He has been a member of the Ray Vega Latin Jazz Quintet, the New Standard Alliance, and many other performing groups. He has appeared often with pianist Rick Germanson and altoist Wes Anderson, to name a few.
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Drummer BRIAN ADLER is well versed in many forms of improvised music including straight-ahead and avant-garde jazz, groove-based, ethnic, folk and Indian music. He is known for his uniquely delicate, earthy sound and sparseness on the drums. Mr. Adler has had the pleasure of performing with: Ran Blake, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski ,Dave Holland, Erik Lawrence, Joe Lovano, Kate McGarry, Jim McNeely,Stomu Takeishi, Ray Vega and many others.
Adler is the leader of Prana Trio, a group comprised of voice, bass,and drums dedicated to exploring original compositions, free improvisations and the sacred poetry of Rumi, Hafiz, Lao Tsu, Issa and others. In 2004, Adler founded Circavision Productions, a record label/production company whose primary focus is to generate new music that is able to enrich the minds of the listeners. Since that time, Circavision Productions has released two of Prana Trio's albums: Pranam (2006) and the critically acclaimed, After Dark (2004).
Brian Adler received a Bachelor's degree from The New England Conservatory in 2005. He has studied with Billy Hart, John Hollenbeck, Bob Moses, Fred Buda, Bob Meyer and Misha Masud.
Influences
Heitor Villa-Lobos, J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Egberto Gismonti, Gil Evans
Sounds Like
AmbosMundosUSA !
Record Label
Unsigned
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About Ambos Mundos USA - The Spinetti/Vega Project
The Ambos Mundos USA project was founded by soprano Sharon Spinetti and trumpet player/bandleader Ray Vega in 2005. The group draws the bulk of its repertoire from the world of classical music, (pieces from operas, art songs,original instrumental works performed as vocalises, etc) with occasional forays into the great American Songbook and contemporary Brazilian music.
Their approach to this material comes from a mixture of jazz, Latin, and other improvised styles. The result is a truly unique sound that stands on its own in the classical and jazz arenas; in both (ambos) worlds (mundos.)
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