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| Justo Almario to Attend the 61st Conference on World Affairs International saxophonist/arranger Justo Almario joins a diverse panel of 110 participants from all over the world at the Sixty-First Annual Conference on World Affairs on April 6-10, 2009. Presented by the University of Colorado at Boulder, the annual event is sure to offer a refreshing look at the world through perspectives from distinct worlds-including Justo Almario's Latin and jazz world. Some of the people on the panel this year include: NPR Correspondent Margot Adler, Retired Ambassador Wendy Chamberlain, New York Times Journalist, James Glanz, and Film Critic Roger Ebert from Chicago Sun Times. Other musicians also attending the panel include: Dave and Don Grusin, Oscar Castro-Neves, and Nestor Torres. Panelists from previous conferences include Vice President Joseph Biden, Ralph Nader, and Ariana Huffington from the Huffington Post. Justo Almario is a legendary jazz maestro, and is known to captivate audiences through his expressive musical passages-and for the first time ever he joins a dynamic gathering for a 5-day extravaganza of stimulating discussions on world affairs. Justo is continuously fusing Latin and jazz elements to different genres, collaborating with a diversity of artists, and connecting with listeners on many levels. He has been featured on musical scores for films such as Kung Fu Panda, Living Out Loud, and Oscar-winning films Happy Feet and Sideways. "It's an honor to be a part of such an elite and prestigious conference, and to be sharing views with such luminaries, " says Justo Almario. He adds, "The panel will give the attendees a chance to transform their thoughts and get to know people from many backgrounds up closely-I'm excited." With today's rapidly changing times, the Annual Conference on World Affairs offers a one-of-a-kind event to share, connect, and transform with over 200 panels and performances. Every April in Boulder, audiences range in size from an intimate 75 to well over 2, 000 at individual sessions. Justo continues to inspire and shine through Latin and jazz cadences in 2009, and most recently in the album OPEN HANDS, a collaboration of long-time friends that include Abraham Laboriel, Gregg Mathieson and Bill Maxwell. OPEN HANDS was recorded live at Schnee Studio in North Hollywood, California by Grammy and Emmy Award winning engineer Bill Schnee. Justo also recently joined Sergio Mendes on his latest recording "Encanto" which features fellow Colombian-artist Juanes and other American pop icons such as Natalie Cole, Fergie, Ledisi and Will.i.am. About Justo Almario: A native of Colombia, reedman, clinician, composer and arranger, Justo Almario has fused Latin, Afro-Cuban, South American, Funk and Jazz genres into his own humble offering. Mr. Almario studied at the prestigious Berklee School of Music before a stint with Mongo Santamaria as the bands musical director. A multi-instrumentalist of the highest caliber, Mr. Almario has mastered the soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet and flute. Justo thoroughly engages his listeners with rhythmic, call and response interludes. Although he is extremely appreciative, this modest wind wizard frequently deflects any accolades, opting instead, to thank folks for merely showing up and sharing. This is paramount to a keenly sensitive artist who warmly connects with his audience on so many levels. Justo has performed with Patrice Rushen's Grammy Awards Orchestra, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Tito Puente, Machito, Dave Grusin, Ndugu Chancler, Abraham Laboriel, TOLU, Al Mckibbon, Master P, Bebe Winans, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Charles Mingus, Chaka Kahn, Linda Rondstadt, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Billy Higgins and Andy Garcia and the CineSon All Stars. Always in demand, Justo's complete list of credits is simply too extensive to mention. The Conference on World Affairs, originally founded in 1948 as a forum on international affairs, expanded rapidly in its early years to encompass the arts, media, science, diplomacy, technology, environment, spirituality, politics, business, medicine, human rights, and so on. Roger Ebert, who has participated in the CWA for thirty-eight consecutive years, refers to the CWA as "the Conference on Everything Conceivable." The event is open to the public-and attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni, journalists and visitors from around the nation. Each April 110 participants representing a wide range of backgrounds gather in Boulder for what The New York Times calls "a week-long extravaganza of discussion and debate" on over 200 panels, plenaries and performances. The CWA owes its existence to a vast network of volunteers. Although many of the panelists ordinarily command large speaking or performance fees, CWA participants attend at their own expense, finding reward in a fascinating and diverse group of people from around the globe. Emerson Bran Management is a full-service booking and management agency established in 1999. Representing some of the finest performers, clinicians and educators in the Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban music and more. EBM represents, books, and has produced events with Grammy Award winners, national and international recording artists as well as emerging talent. From celebratory international and national headlining performances, to unforgettable collaborations and special presentations, EBM's artists offer a diversity of world genres and rhythms for any size engagement. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |