"American Transgressions for Orchestra" to premiere with Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra October 9th and 10th, 2010

Maestro Timothy Smith and the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will be giving the premiere performances of my new orchestral tone poem American Transgressions for Orchestra (2010) this October, as part of a "Made in America" set featuring works by Copland, Schuman and vocalist Marni Nixon.

“American Transgressions for Orchestra is an orchestral tone poem portraying the journey of the American people, as an American people. It’s a musical reflection of our constant search of a better life, of our desired place of living, of our triumph amongst bleak odds and of seemingly impassible barriers passed. The piece attempts to evoke the story of our perseverance, of our conflict, and of eventual resolution.”

-Doug Beavers

June 16, 2010

Washington D.C.

Performances

Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra

Saturday, October 9, 7:30p

Los Medanos College Concert Hall

Pittsburg, CA

Sunday October 10, 7:30p

Dean Lesher Center for the Arts

Walnut Creek, CA

July '10 Newsletter - New CD, Summer Salsa Shows and an Orchestral Piece Premiere!

July '10 Newsletter

Greetings!

I hope you are having a stellar summer! There are many, many exciting things ahead in the next few months that I've been working hard on and that I would like to personally let you know about.

First and foremost - the time is finally coming! My 2nd recording, featuring my NYC jazz nonet "9" is slated to hit store shelves nationwide Sept. 21 on Origin Records. I'm thrilled about the way this one has turned out -from the unbelievable musicianship of the cats through the crystalline production quality and leading to the final package, I think we have a very memorable recording on our hands. I can't wait to see how the world receives it. Stay tuned for CD Release party announcements and pre-order info coming shortly.

Summer in the city next week! The US Open Salsa Championships kick off at the Oakland City Convention Center next Thursday, televised by the Telemundo network. My salsa outfit Conjunto Rovira will be kicking off a feature set Fri. night 7/23 for finals night. On Saturday night I'll be musically directing for the great Jose Alberto "El Canario" for a memorable evening of salsa. On Sunday night 7/25, there will be a 200th Anniversary celebration of Colombian Independence with Grupo Niche among others. This Wednesday we'll be celebrating a bit early at Shattuck Down Low with Conjunto Rovira for a fun couple of sets at our favorite chill club with DJ Fab Fred in Berkeley.

Finally - a project that has been near and dear to me for almost a year now: the debut of my new orchestral tone poem "American Transgressions for Orchestra" is set for this October. I've been working closely with one of my favorite conductors of all time, Timothy Smith, to make this one a reality. The premiere performances of the piece by the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will take place October 9th and 10th. Check for further details below.

Enjoy the sun y'all!

Musically Yours,

Doug Beavers

July '10 Newsletter

Week with Eddie Palmieri La Perfecta II

Just spent an incredible week with Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II. Quite inspiring. View some pics from the event on FB.

Doug Beavers Newsletter May '10 - Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Two Shades of Nude Release Info

Doug Beavers Newsletter May '10 - Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Two Shades of Nude Release Info

March 25 Newsletter

March Newsletter

SF Salsa Festival, Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Harlem Riverside Orchestra preview

Unearthed YouTube Gem w/Eddie Palmieri

Came across this dress rehearsal video for a show we did with Eddie Palmieri back in 2004. This was for a show tributing his brother, Charlie, that we put on at Lincoln Center in New York.

I did some arrangements for Eddie with strings and big band for his tune "Attacks In Expansions" from his Afro-World Suite. This video is a gem - a beautiful solo by the late Mario Rivera and solos by Alfredo de la Fe and "Little Johnny" Rivero. Sometimes when you're in the room with people like this you it doesn't hit you till years later just what you were standing in front of.

Wow.

Holiday Wishes 2009

My Holiday Newsletter 2009 has been just posted here-

Features a nod to those musicians who've fallen on hard times this Holiday and a link to some cool free stuff!