Francene Marie interviews Johnny Conga, the world-renowned ethnomusicologist, Afro-Cuban drumming and Latin Jazz Music specialist. Conga has been teaching Latin Jazz for over 35 years and shares his knowledge in a new class for young musicians in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thanks to JazzArts Charlotte for offering this FREE Latin Jazz Ensemble taught by notable local and regional Latin Jazz musicians and educators.

The opportunity is open to middle and high school student musicians. 
Julio Jeri, trumpeter from Peru, currently a musician and instructor in Winston Salem.

Auditions for the program are on February 10 & 17.
The 12 weekly sessions will be held Thursday evenings February 24 – May 26 at VAPA Center, located 700 N. Tryon Street uptown.  With space limited, audition is required to participate.  Go to www.thejazzarts.org/education  for more information and to register for an audition.

This is a unique opportunity for students grades 7-12 to study an exciting facet of jazz that combines the traditional components of jazz with the Latin Jazz genre including classic repertoire, clave rhythm, and Latin jazz history. The program will be led by notable Latin Jazz teaching artists, including educator/trumpeter Julio Jeri, M.M., and world-renowned ethnomusicologist, Afro-Cuban drumming and Latin Jazz Music specialist, Johnny Conga.  Nuestro Tiempo will bring students together to celebrate diversity of music and culture, while teaching life-long lessons and values through music, including leadership, teamwork, self-confidence, discipline and respect.

JazzArts Charlotte is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion, education, preservation of jazz and related art forms in the greater Charlotte region. Started in 2009, the organization is comprised of arts patrons, educators, performing jazz artists, business leaders, and volunteers. Their mission focuses on three program development areas:  Jazz Education, Performance, and Musician Support. These three elements were established to help nurture a future audience and preserve the tradition of this great American Art Form, Jazz.

Website www.thejazzarts.org

Website education page www.thejazzarts.org/education

Website for the program page in Spanish  https://www.thejazzarts.org/education/nuevo-jazzarts-nuestro-tiempo-grupo-de-jovenes-jazz-latino/

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