American jazz composer, George Russell, once said that the future of America and jazz were inseparable. At the two-day Aventura Jazz Festival, the future of American jazz includes its neighbors from South America and the Caribbean.
The festival showcases a vivacious lineup of Brazilian jazz performed by Ramatis Moraes and Rose Max Oct. 21, and Latin jazz fusion performed by Negroni’s Trio Oct. 22.
The Aventura Jazz Festival takes place at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center and is produced by Lion Tribe Group, founded by Jorge Estevez, which has been producing concerts, festivals and other creative events for more than 28 years. Unlike most jazz
(Courtesy of the Artists)
Nomar Negroni and his father, pianist and composer José Negroni.
festivals, this one celebrates cultures beyond the birthplace of jazz.
Jazz in America is a Black American tradition that arose from the enslaved during the Civil War. The genre is considered the “classical music” of the United States and – in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013 – has since been argued to be Black American Music. The Aventura Jazz Festival, however, does not feature performances by Black musicians that continue the jazz tradition of Miles Davis and Duke Ellington; instead, it highlights Latin jazz from Brazil and Cuba.
Ramatis Moraes & Rose Max
A direct descendant of Brazilian music legends – conductor Cupertino de Menezes and guitarist Manuel de Menezes – Rose Max followed their legacy and became a six-time winner of the International Brazilian Press Award for the Best Female Brazilian Singer Residing and Performing in the USA. She’s captured audiences worldwide with her clear articulation and warm voice.
Her husband, Ramatis Moraes, began performing bossa nova guitar professionally at age 12. His virtuosic playing exhibits a fluidity in traditional Brazilian rhythms and strong influences of American jazz. He has performed with some of the greatest names in Brazilian popular music throughout his career, and has been awarded the International Brazilian Press Award for Best Musical Producer of the Year and Best Musician Residing and Performing in the USA.
Max and Moraes are recent artists-in-residence at HistoryMiami Museum, where they performed and taught Brazilian music. Moraes, a history enthusiast, also teaches workshops about the origins of “the creation of this style and how it is so close to American jazz.”
With 37 years playing music together, Moraes says he and Max’s relationship “began with the music.”
They worked three years together as friends until “one night,” said Moraes, “I looked at her differently and she looked at me differently and the rest is history.” He added, “We are in harmony all our lives because of the music.”
Moraes and Max believe that their chemistry runs deeper than the intimacies of marriage because of how well they play music together.
“I know the way she sings, and she knows the way I play,” said Moraes. “The music we make together is so good for us that we forget about the problems. Music is the pillar, the roots, of our relationship.”
The music of Moraes and Max illustrate the cross-cultural connect between the U.S. and Brazil. Moraes explained that by the 1960s, the golden age of jazz began to dwindle as pop music by stars such as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones took center stage. This changed when American saxophonist Stan Getz recorded “Desafinado” in 1962 and the bossa nova style revived jazz with a “refreshing” sound.
“Today,” said Moraes, “bossa nova is considered part of jazz because of the improvisation. Bossa nova uses the rhythms of the samba and the chordal harmony of jazz.”
Negroni’s Trio
Negroni’s Trio, a Latin jazz fusion group, is a father-and-son team led by José Negroni and Nomar Negroni. The elder Negroni is a classically trained pianist, arranger and composer, recognized for his unique jazz style that fuses classical sensibilities and Latin flair. He is also the musical director of the trio, composing and arranging most of its repertoire. His son, Nomar, is a talented musician in his own right, playing drums and percussion in the group.
“I have been around my dad’s friends and work all my life,” said Nomar. “We have a very special relationship that we don’t take for granted and, at the same time, it is very natural for us.”
Father and son have cycled through various bassists to complete the trio. When hiring a bassist, Nomar says that they seek “someone who listens and is willing to make music humbly and play to have fun.”
Their bassist for the Aventura Jazz Festival is Rafael Valencia, an extraordinary local musician who has performed with many recognized artists, such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Julio Iglesias, Lucero and Daddy Yankee. He also played bass at the Univisión television network for more than 30 years on “Sábado Gigante” and “Don Francisco Presenta.”
Negroni’s Trio labels itself as fusion because its players combine the harmony and improvisation of jazz with classical melodies and Afro-Latin rhythms.
“When people ask us what kind of music we play, we usually say ‘our own music,’ although there is improvisation, so there is jazz,” Nomar explained.
If You Go
In its recent album “Esperanzas/Hopes,” the trio sought to qualm the hardship and isolation that came with the pandemic in 2020. It’s a message of hope and faith that emerged during a time of negativity and depression.
“Although it is jazz and some things are complex, there is always a melody you can sing and happiness in the rhythm,” said Nomar.
Moraes and Max “are looking forward to having the best time in the world and to represent the Brazilian culture and music,” at the festival. And Negroni’s Trio plans interactive moments with the audience. They anticipate “meeting the audience giving them the message of love and happiness.”
“When you play from your heart,” said Nomar, “the audience appreciates it and loves it.”