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Born in Barcelona
in 1959, he discovered jazz in the Ricard Gili workshops. His practical
learning lasted for five years at La Locomotora Negra,
as well as with pianist Jimmy Rena in the historical jazz club La Guitarra on the Costa Brava. In Barcelona's
La Cova
del Drac, he collaborated on several occasions with classical jazz
figures such as Carrie Smith, Gene Connors and Ralph Sutton.
After years of exclusive dedication to classical music, he returned to jazz
in 1995, and very soon was called upon to take part in Ricard Gili's New Orleans quartet and
Lucky Guri's Dixieland sextet. Together with several colleagues from La Locomotora Negra,
he then formed the Swing Cream octet, and frequently performed with
Josep Mª Farràs, Ignasi Terraza and other musicians and groups.
With trumpeters Ricard Gili and Pepe Robles he finally created the New Orleans Blue Stompers
ensemble, dedicated to traditional jazz. His activity has become increasingly
intensive with this group having recently recorded "The Louis Armstrong
musical story" CD (Blue Moon, 2001).
Another of his creations is the Barcelona
Swing Serenaders group dedicated to classical jazz.
He has also organised many sessions to promote jazz, both live as well as
with the help of discs. He is the author of the book "Tocats jazz"
(Amalgama, 2000).
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NEW ORLEANS BLUE STOMPERS
Traditional Jazz
Ricard
Gili ((trumpet and voice)
Pepe Robles (trumpet)
Oriol Romaní (clarinet)
Oscar Font (trombone)
Albert Romaní (banjo)
Fèlix de Blas (tuba)
Marcelo de Castro (washboard)
Under
the name of Red Bean Strutters, precursor of the present New Orleans Blue
Stompers, this group appeared in Barcelona in the spring of 1995 as
entertainment for the "Hivernacle"'s nights of jazz, in Ciudadela
park.
In the summer of 1998, five members of this group won the first prize at
Saint Rapaël's International New Orleans Jazz
Competition (France).
The New Orleans
Blue Stompers have recently recorded a CD entitled "The Louis Armstrong
musical story", (Blue Moon, 2001).
The spontaneity and authenticity with which they recreate the music by Louis
Armtrong, King Oliver, Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds or Jimmie Noone makes them one
of the best performers of the most genuine New Orleans style. Their repertoire is
typical of New Orleans
jazz: blues, gospel, marches and various themes, from the most famous to the
least known. Today, The New Orleans
Blue Stompers offer the warmth of their jazz for audiences to enjoy as much
as they do themselves.
BARCELONA SWING SERENADERS
Classical
Jazz
Oriol
Romaní (clarinet)
Óscar Font (trombone)
Albert Romaní (guitar and banjo)
Josemi Moraleda (contrabass)
The
musicians of this group, outstanding members of the New Orleans Blue Stompers
and the Locomotora Negra groups, started this ensemble in 1999. It was geared
towards the most classical aspects of Swing and New Orleans styles.
The clarinettist and trombonist, - winners of the First Prize at Saint
Rapahël's New Orleans International Competition in 1988-, comprise a live
framework of solos, riffs and collective improvisations, suitably supported
by a contrabass and a guitar full of swing.
Besides their participation in jazz Festivals and concert cycles, the quartet
has performed at congresses, openings, celebrations, didactical sessions,
following banquets and at balls etc., Whatever the surroundings, Barcelona
Swing Serenaders try to recreate the freshness, swing and warmth of best
classical jazz, in the hope that the audience will enjoy itself as much as
they do.
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