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| The Elio Villafranca Quintet in Valentine's Day Engagement Saturday, February 16, 2008, 8 pm - midnight, BLue hair studio presents Afro-Cuban jazz greats, The Elio Villafranca Quintet, featuring David Valentin, Charles Flores, Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez, and Juan Castellanos, for an exclusive Valentine's Day performance to benefit The Ray of Hope Project, a non profit organization that provides home repairs to low-income families in Philadelphia. Pianist and composer, Elio Villafranca's musical excellence was first widely recognized in 2003 when Jazz Times Magazine selected his debut album Incantations/Encantaciones (Universal Latin/Pimienta) as one of the top 50 best jazz albums of the year. More recently Wynton Marsalis featured Mr. Villafranca in a performance at the Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. The Elio Villafranca Quintet has toured internationally, performing at Jazz a Beaune Festival in France, and nationally at the Blue Note, Jazz Standard and Dizzy's Coca Cola Jazz Clubs in New York City. Dave Valentin is a renowned Latin jazz flutist. His album, World On A String was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 2006 Latin Grammy Awards. He also appeared in the documentary film, Calle 54, performing with Tito Puente. Since the mid-2000s, Valentin has been signed to Highnote Records. This engagement will be a rare opportunity to experience The Villafranca Quintet's gift--what Jazz Times has termed “...technically superior, sharp and romantic pianism"--in an intimate venue, on the most romantic holiday of the year. BLue's interior and front porch will be transformed into a private Cuban club-lounge. The salon's antique barber chairs, and art deco vanities will be replaced by bistro tables, and warm tropical lighting. Outside, guests will be treated to a heated Cuban cigar bar on the front porch. Cuban- Latin appetizers and drinks will be offered throughout the night. Guests will also be able to reserve a stage-side, VIP table with served appetizers. "This event reflects the spirit of BLue, a commitment to art and creativity, whether it's the art of jazz or hair design" says Will Bostock, BLue's owner and co-founder of The Ray of Hope Project. “And we hope through this event that we can inspire change in less fortunate communities by raising money for Ray of Hope's construction projects." For the past ten years BLue has been a creative crossroads for many artistic mediums. In addition to offering fashion forward hair design, makeup, skin care, and massage therapy, the salon has regularly featured live jazz on weekends, an artists' gallery of on the first floor, a creative-clothing boutique upstairs and an ingenious interior design throughout. Housed in the historic Lady Washington House, BLue has beautifully combined the building's warm oak and stone interiors with fanciful art deco furnishings and a few irreverent modern architectural details. The result is an inviting atmosphere that's comfortable and totally unexpected. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |