This clinic serves as an introduction to essential rhythms, instruments utilized in a contemporary Latin jazz performance.
General music education teachers will learn a simple and effective methodology to learn and teach the rhythmic vocabulary of essential Afro-Cuban music styles and percussion. Ensemble directors can learn and teach ensemble musicians these rhythms to help them perform and solo on Latin arrangements with a “groove” that pro Latin jazz musicians refer to as the “Latin swing”.
Ruben P. Alvarez
- Biographical Information
Rubén P. Alvarez is a Latin percussionist, drum set artist, composer, and music educator. His performance credits include musical theatre for the Broadway in Chicago production of The Lion King, and The Gloria Esteban story “On Your Feet”. As a drummer and Latin percussionist, he has performed and or recorded with blues legends John Mayall and Junior Wells, rock stars Dave Mason and Dennis De Young, Latin jazz artists Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentín, Jazz icons Ramsey Lewis, and Roy Hargrove, R&B diva Jennifer Hudson, and the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. He performed on drum set, and timbales on the 2012 Latin Grammy nominated Chuchito Valdés CD, “Made in Chicago”.Rubén directs “Puentes” the Latin jazz ensemble of Roosevelt University, and teaches Afro-Cuban percussion at the Chicago High School for the Arts. He has presented educational performances locally, nationally, and internationally for over 25 years, and has served as a mentor for the Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Master Artists Residency Program for 12 years.
He is a founding member and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of The Jazz Education Network, served as a member of Board of Governors of the Chicago Chapter of the Recording Academy, and as Vice President of the Illinois chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. He currently serves on the World Percussion committee of the Percussive Arts Society. Rubén was the recipient of the Jazz Institute of Chicago 2018 Jazz Educator of the Year by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and the 2002 Percussive Arts Society Service Award. Rubén has endorsed and presented as a clinician for industry leaders in music education, DW/Latin Percussion instruments, Remo percussion drumheads, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Zildjian cymbals for over 25 years.
Born into a family of musicians, Alejandro was surrounded by the music of Mexico and Latin America. He developed a strong interest in the piano and began private instruction at the age of seven. As a member of the United Community Center’s Latin jazz band in Milwaukee, he was introduced to the music of Tito Puente and Sergio Mendez, which set the course for his musical journey.In 2014, Alejandro received his bachelor’s degree in jazz piano performance from Roosevelt University. Studying with renowned musicians which include Jim Trumpeter, Edwin Sanchez, and Ruben Alvarez, strengthened his ability to communicate the marriage of Afro Cuban rhythms and complex jazz harmony, and solidified his musicianship.Since graduating, Alejandro performs regularly in Chicago’s jazz and Latin jazz/salsa scene. He also performs a wide range of styles which include American pop, jazz, Afro Cuban, Brazilian, and Peruvian folk music. Alejandro has maintained a successful private piano studio in Chicago since 2014. He joined Roosevelt University’s jazz faculty in the fall of 2018.