Michel Camilo
JUN 30

“Mano a Mano” with Giovanni Hidalgo & Charles Flores

SPAC Welcomes Grammy^® Winner Michel Camilo to the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, Saturday, JUN 30

Grammy^®, Emmy^® and Two-Time Latin Grammy Award Winner pianist and composer MICHEL CAMILO will be among the headliners of the 35th Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, performing on Saturday, June 30 with master conguero Giovanni Hidalgo and bassist Charles Flores. The trio’s latest release, Mano a Mano, has received the highest critical praise, including the following from New York City Jazz Record:

“Camilo is masterful, treating the listener to his knowledge of dynamics and fine technique. He can attack the keys with fiery intensity or caress them…whatever the music demands. His experiment with a non-traditional trio, combining personnel with different and rich musical backgrounds and diverse sounding material has resulted in a dazzling performance.”

Bridging the genres of jazz, classical, popular and world music, pianist and composer Michel Camilo has long been heralded for his remarkable artistry and virtuosity. His love of music began at the young age of five when he composed his first song. He went on to study for 13 years at the National Conservatory and became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra at age 16.

An urge to explore new musical horizons brought Michel to New York and the Juilliard School where he cultivated his interest in jazz. Camilo made his Carnegie Hall debut with his trio in 1985, followed by a string of critically and commercially successful albums which firmly established him as one of the foremost figures in the jazz world. Career highlights include: live performances at the most prestigious concert halls around the world including Zurich’s Tonhalle, the Kennedy Center and Royal Festival Hall; the world premiere of his Piano Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin; a Grammy nomination for his 2002 album Triangulo, and a Grammy Award for the 2003 album  Live at the Blue Note. Camilo also appeared on the soundtrack CD for the acclaimed Latin jazz film Calle 54, directed by the Oscar-winning Spaniard Fernando Trueba. Trueba’s immense respect for Michel’s artistry is exemplified in the following statement:

“Michel Camilo is one of the top all-around musicians. Whether it’s jazz, classical, Latin American music or film music, Michel is in his element. Every time I see him play, I feel like I’m witnessing a miracle.”

In addition to his activities as a composer and pianist, Camilo has lectured and performed at many universities and colleges throughout Europe and the United States—including New York University, Berklee School of Music, MIT, William Paterson College and Puerto Rico Conservatory.

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