Gustavo Ramirez, David Belove, and Danílo Paíz.

Gustavo Ramirez, David Belove, and Danílo Paíz are important collaborators

with the Art Jackson & AREYTO unit.

Gustavo's father, a prominent bassist performing with Beny Moré and Ernesto Duarte,

also the founder of Orquesta America in Gustavo's native Cuba, was key in persuading

young Gustavo to pursue an education and career in music.  Dad got Gustavo started on violin 

lessons, an instrument that didn't suit  the youngster.  Piano was a perfect fit. 

Influenced by Gonzalo Rubalcaba's styling , and familiarizing himself with the pianos

of Chucho Valdes, Hilario Duran, and Frank Emiliano Flynn, Gustavo eventually

developed what emerged as his own in-demand approach.  He has performed with

NG La Banda in Cuba, and has written arrangements for Earth, Wind  and Fire, as well

as composing for Peter Frampton's "Fingerprints".  Now as a resident of Los Angeles

and adding the influences of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Cecil Taylor,

he has established himself as a popular pianist known for colorful flavoring of jazz and

Latin Jazz offerings.

Bassist David Belove comes to us by way of Kansa City, Missouri. An important ingredient  

in the Bay Area's musical fabric, he attended San Francisco State University and the  

San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and his ensuing career includes performances 

with Tito Puente, Danílo Perez, Eddie Harris, and Larry Coryell. 

David can also boast a proficiency in photography.  His work in that area has graced any

number of album covers.

In his extensive musical career, percussionist Danílo Paíz can claim performances with such

internationally known musicians as Ray Barretto, Rubén Blades, Andy Narell, Dave Valentín,

Dizzy Gillespie, and Cal Tjader.  Demonstrating some of his best work as both a bongocero and

 as a vocalist, he shines on the Rubén Blades album, "Rubén Blades and Son Del Solar, Live".

In addition to having released two of his own albums,  Danílo has performed in recent years 

with Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), Mickey Hart (the Grateful Dead), and Grammy winning

 flautist Nestor Torres.  Danílo leads his own band, Danílo and Orquesta Universal, and is a

much sought after performer in the Bay Area's music scene.

Tod Dickow, Vernon Ice Black, Al Bent, Felix Samuél.

Art Jackson & AREYTO is pleased to include Tod Dickow, Vernon Ice Black, Al Bent,

and Felix Samuél in its membership.

Tod Dickow, a San Mateo College alumnus majoring in music and winner of Downbeat Magazine's

coveted "outstanding college student soloist" award, is easily one of the most exciting saxophone

performers calling the Bay Area his home.  His early influences include John Coltrane,

Michael Brecker, Dexter Gordon, Cannonball Adderly, Eric Dolphy, and Ornette Coleman,

among other important contributors to his complex and inviting style.

He has performed with such dignitaries as Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Harry Connick Jr.

Jackie & Roy, and the Full Spectrum Big Band.  He is also known for his work with the

James Leary Big Band as well as that of Full Faith & Credit.  Tod leads the 16 piece

Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, and is an in-demand spokesman for his instrument. His energy and

fire are key in generating cathexis with the audience as well as a collaborative response from

the other members of the band.

Vernon Ice Black is superb as a "groove master"!  Just the right chord structure, just the right

rhythmic pattern, and precisely the tone that ensures the beauty of guitar. And-  he also sings! 

Vernon has an extensive and impressive claim on high profile musical alliances:   Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock,Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Chaka Khan,

Lionel Richie..........      He can boast film credits in several blockbusters such as The Bodyguard,

License To Kill, and Beverly Hills Cop II.  The Spice Girls, Regina Belle, Phillip Bailey,

and Lenny Williams know him as musical director or composer.

Al Bent, trombonist, arranger and composer extroadinaire attended University of Nevada, UC, and Sacramento State as a student of Elementary Education.  His reputation as a composer/arranger is

attended by accolades of the highest order.  Santana, Cal Tjader, Patti LaBelle, and Pete Escovedo

will attest to his writing skills.  Influenced in the main by the trombone of the great J.J. Johnson,

Al has performed with Carmen McRae, Cal Tjader, Mark Murphy, La Belle, and Pete Escovedo,

among others.  

A quiet, always the gentleman, musical perfectionist, Al has an instantly recognizable

stabilizing effect on bands, kept buoyant by superior command of his trombone;  he is

THE bottom line in any horn section!

Felix Samuél comes to us by way of Cuba.  His dad, musician Felix Perez Castro Saml, contributed to inspiring young Felix to audition for an important role in a musical, "Cabaret Parisienne".

Felix was chosen, and so well received he was invited to Acapulco where under the direction of Rafael Hernandez, he toured South America  singing in the production, "Así Somos".

Rome and prestigious venues in Portugal were his next destinations.  Extending his stay in Portugal, he formed a Latin Jazz ensemble, "Felix y su Aché", while also performing with the group

"Cubanissimo".  He subsequently opened a school of music and dance in Mozambique and led

a highly popular 10 piece band combining Latin Music with Mozambican percussion thus fostering a

platform for Cuban-African dance.

He moved to the Bay Area in 2008, and was immediately immersed in the Latin dance scene,

notably as a vocalist for the very sophisticated and popular Moderna Tradición.

Felix has an eloquent delivery and polished understanding of the music he sings, which has endeared

him to audiences wherever he appears.

All are appearing with AREYTO, Friday, Oct. 24th at Geoffrey's Inner Circle

                                             410 14th Street - Oakland

                                                    8pm  and  10pm

Bill Ortíz, James Levi, and Erick Barbería.

Three highly celebrated members of the art Jackson & AREYTO aggregation are

                          Bill Ortíz, James Levi, and Erick Barbería.

Bill Ortíz was born and educated in San Francisco.  He is a master musician and an eloquent

spokesman for trumpet and flugelhorn, his on-stage instruments, to which he has committed a

lifetime of passion in the pursuit of excellence.  A first choice for first chair in an impressive list

of headliner music acts, Bill's credits include stints with Tony Toni Tone, En Vogue, Sheila E,

and Boz Scaggs.  He is a regular performer with Lavay Smith, and continues to hold down

Santana's front line, as he has for 10+ years.  Bill enjoys huge popularity in all genres.

Oakland's James Levi typifies the refined ease and edge that accompanies a thorough knowledge

of how to best approach the music being presented.  He is an imaginative, highly skilled

percussion exponent always cognizant of where "the one" may be hiding, and always displaying

impeccable taste.  James has a lengthy resume full of imminently visible luminaries including

Bill Summers, the Whispers, B-3 organ giant Jimmy Smith, and the immensely popular 

Herbie Hancock.

Erick Barbería is a native of Cuba.  Among his earliest influences was that of his father,

Luís Barbería, an accomplished and popular vocalist.  Erick is a graduate of 

Escuela Nacional de Arte, holding a degree in Folkloric Dance.  He taught percussion and

Cuban Folkloric Dance and Song in Havana before emigrating to the USA.  

Erick is consecrated in the Batá Aña, and is a widely recognized Babalawo of the Yoruba

tradition.  Among his many first rank musical associations, he worked with the great

Latin Jazz pianist Chucho Valdés.  He is a valued and solid foundation at the root of AREYTO.

Bill Ortíz, James Levi, and Erick Barbería.

Three highly celebrated members of the Art Jackson & AREYTO aggregation are

                           Bill Ortíz, James Levi, and Erick Barbería.

Bill Ortíz was born and educated in San Francisco.  He is a master musician and an eloquent

spokesman for trumpet and flugelhorn, his on-stage instruments, to which he has committed a

lifetime of passion and the pursuit of excellence.  A first choice for first chair in an impressive list

of headliner music acts, Bill's credits include stints with Tony Toni Tone, En Vogue, Sheila E,

and Boz Scaggs.  He is a regular performer with Lavay Smith, and continues to hold down

Santana's front line, as he has for ten+ years.  Bill enjoys huge popularity in all genres.

Oakland's James Levi typifies the refined ease that accompanies a thorough knowledge of how to

best approach the music being presented.  He is an imaginative, highly skilled percussion exponent

always cognizant of where "the one" may be hiding, and always displaying impeccable taste.

James has a lengthy resume full of imminently visible luminaries including Bill Summers, the

Whispers, and the immensely popular Herbie Hancock.

Erick Barbería was born and educated in Cuba.  Among his earliest influences was that of his father, Luís Barbería, an accomplished vocalist.  Erick is a graduate of Escuela Nacional de Arte,

with a degree in Folkloric Dance.  He taught Cuban Folkloric Dance and Song, and percussion

in Havana before emigrating to the USA.  Erick is consecrated in the batá añá and is a widely

recognized babalawo of the Yoruba tradition.  Among his many first rank musical associations,

he worked with the great Latin Jazz pianist Chucho Valdés.  He is a valued and solid foundation

at the root of AREYTO.

Latin Jazz Concert - Friday, Oct. 24th 2014

Geoffrey's Inner Circle is pleased to present "Art Jackson & AREYTO", 

  a Latin Jazz ensemble performing a high energy, sophisticated program formatted to display

premium embodiment of the jazz - Latin partnership.

  The ensemble's membership boasts many San Francisco Bay Area first tier performers,

including Erick Barbería, James Levi, Bill Ortíz, Tod Dickow, Vernon Ice Black,

Roberto Quintana, Al Bent, David Belove, Gustavo Ramirez, Jorge Ellington, and Felix Samuél.

 We're expecting guest appearances by conguero great Chembo Corniél, percussionist David Jackson,

and vocalists Luna Vizoso and Rosa Parrilla.

                          Geoffrey's Inner Circle

                      410  14th  Street - Oakland

                          Friday, Oct. 24th 2014

                               8pm  and 10pm

                                       $20

Come on down!  La música te llama!