Music of the Americas: En Casa and On Stage

Monday, March 20, 10 am

Argentine singer-songwriter Dafne Usorach was on En Casa a few weeks ago. We share another of her original compositions, the song "Manos."

Tuesday, March 21, 10 am

Brazilian accordionist Henrique dos Reis started studying music at a young age with his father and grandfather and was playing professionally by age 13 in regional bands and in church. Even though he had formal accordion studies, his main education was with groups including Banda Gênese and Mariana Rios, and as a pianist at the Grande Hotel and Termas de Araxá. He currently teaches accordion and piano, and he also works as a piano technician. 

From his home in Araxá, in the state of Minas Gerais, he sent us his own choro "Tico e Teco."

Wednesday, March 22, 10 am

Traditional musician and composer Eloy Zúñiga is the founder and lead voice in groups including Tlacuatzin and La Manta. His main instrument is the jarana huasteca, a small guitar from the region of Huasteca in Mexico's Gulf Coast, where he was born. Eloy is also an advocate for the traditional music of the region via programs on radio and TV, produced by Radiotelevisión de Veracruz.

From his home in Xalapa in the state of Veracruz, he sent us this version of "La petenera." Peteneras are traditional musical pieces popular in Andalusia and several regions in Mexico. In the Huasteca region, "La Petenera" is part of the traditional feast of music, poetry, and dance called the Huapango. This version, with just the jarana, synthesizes the melodies and ornaments usually performed by the ensemble of traditional guitars, violin, and voices. 

Thursday, March 23, 10 am

Latin Grammy award-winning Venezuelan musician Juan Diego Villalobos has developed a varied career as a composer, arranger, and performer and is one of the most sought-after vibraphone players in New York. In 2010, he moved to Caracas to study at the Simon Bolívar Music Conservatory. He became a percussionist with the renowned Teresa Carreño Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, with which he performed across Europe, Asia, and the United States, sharing the stage with Christian Vásquez and the acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Under the tutelage of Stefon Harris and Joe Locke, Villalobos obtained a full scholarship (2018–2022) to study jazz vibraphone at the Manhattan School of Music, where he worked with Buster Williams, Kendrick Scott, and Miguel Zenon. During this time, he appeared as a bandleader and sideman at venues including Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Harlem Stage, Smalls Jazz Club, and Birdland, performing alongside Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, Jeremy Pelt, Peter Erskine, Luis Perdomo, Andy Narell, and John Beasley, among others. Villalobos won a Latin Grammy for his participation on the album Identidad by Venezuelan cuatro player Miguel Siso.

From home in New York, Villalobos sent us several videos. We share "Girasoles," a changüi written by Gina D'Soto, where she talks about her favorite flower. In this arrangement, went beyond the traditional changüi groove by adding different colors as the song unfolds.

Friday, March 24, 7 pm

Pianist Mariel Mayz will be live on our stage launching her latest CD with music by Leo Brouwer. 

New York native Mariel Mayz is a sought-after composer, pianist, educator, and administrator. Mayz's original works have been described as inventive, colorful, compelling, and well-crafted. Her compositions explore the intersectionality of musical styles and often draw inspiration from her initial musical training as a virtuoso pianist. 

The MetLife Foundation Music of the Americas concert series is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor MetLife Foundation.

The Spring 2023 Music program is also supported, in part, by the Howard Gilman Foundation and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Additional support comes from the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, The Amphion Foundation, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, New Music USA’s Organizational Development Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals’ ArtsForward program, made possible through support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and The Augustine Foundation.