Travels with the Clave:
LAPME & Mariano Morales celebrate
the Esemble's s 20th Anniversary
The Latin American Music Center celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Latin American Popular Music Ensemble with a concert directed by its founder, José Mariano Morales. The concert will take place on November 3rd, 2005, 8:00 pm at Indiana University's Auer Hall.
Morales, who founded the group as a student project supported by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies under director Russell Salmon, became a beloved figure in Bloomington's musical scene. Morales and fellow music students enlivened the city with their sessions at Second Story and other venues in town. The project planted the seeds for musical study of Latin music at the prestigious Indiana University School of Music. After Morales' departure the Latin American Music Center initiated a new ensemble for the practice of Latin American musical genres, first under the direction of percussionist Andrew Lázaro, and then under Assistant Professors Gerardo Dirié and Ricardo Lorenz.
Mariano Morales is now a well-known figure in the Latin music world, and his original compositions and arrangements have been heard all over Latin America, Europe and Asia. As an author of "academic music", Morales-Matos has received numerous commissions and his works have been performed by distinguished ensembles such as the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville, the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, the American Composer's Orchestra and the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, among others. Members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic have performed some of his chamber works. Morales-Matos' broad background in classical, popular and folk music have distinguished him for his versatility of style and genre. During the 2002-2003 Season the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Southeast Texas Symphony presented commissioned works by Morales, including his Symphony No.1 "A la memoria de un ángel". In November 2003 members of the Puerto Rico Symphony performed "Manifestaciones" at the Americas Society in New York.
As a performer and recording artist (violin and piano), Morales-Matos has worked with leading pop figures such as: Tito Puente, Marc Anthony, Los Hispanos, Ednita Nazario, Marco Antonio Muñíz, Franco D' Vita, Ricardo Arjona, Tego Calderón, among others; and as guest pianist with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. In the tropical music scene Mariano's work as a performer and arranger can be heard in recordings of various artists like the great Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Andy Montañez, Tito Nieves, Marc Anthony, Olga Tañón, Jerry Rivera, Oscar de León, Cheo Feliciano, Melina León, and many others.
Mariano's work in the pop music scene also includes musical direction, musical arrangements and jingle productions for television commercial spots, commercial recordings, live performances and televised specials. His work can be found in Grammy winning productions, such as Marc Anthony's "Contra la Corriente". He has directed and performed with numerous Latin Jazz ensembles in Puerto Rico and abroad with guest artists such as Tito Puente, Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis "Perico" Ortíz, Humberto Ramírez, and Nestor Torres.
Mariano has been recognized for achievements as a Jazz educator and as musical director for various ensembles. Morales-Matos has offered Conferences and Master Classes in composition and arranging and Jazz Studies in numerous prestigious institutions such as: Indiana University in Bloomington and Indianapolis, Purdue University, University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati, the Aruba Cultural Foundation in Aruba, and as part of the American Composers Orchestra Festivals. In May of 2000, José was Assistant Director with the Symphonic Orchestra of Maracaibo for the "Salsa Sinfónica" presentations. Recently, he was guest conductor at the Los Angeles Opera, during the Gala with Plácido Domingo and Ricky Martin.
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