Subject: Nick Ali & CRUZAO return to Canada & The Rex Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 20:34:39 -0500 From: "Publicist for Brownman.com" Organization: Brownman Music Inc. -- http://www.brownman.com To: Press Release Group FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, CANADA Freshly back from representing Canada at the Havana Jazz Fest, Cuba Justin Time Recording Artist Nick "Brownman" Ali & CRUZAO 5-piece multi-award winning latin-jazz-urban ensemble [ cruzao.brownman.com] | [ MP3s here ] Wed Jan 26, 2005 - 9:30pm Thrs Jan 27, 2005 - 9:30pm @ Rex Hotel & Jazz Club 194 Queen St. West, Toronto | 416.598.2475 | $7 - adults | $5 - students www.TheRex.ca Brownman.com Freshly back from representing Canada at the Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba where Brownman & CRUZAO dazzled captive audiences, he now brings this internationally respected and multi-award-winning latin-jazz ensemble to Toronto's Rex Jazz Hotel for a 2 night double-header. These performances will feature some of the new material from the highly anticipated upcoming second CD release (scheduled for summer 2005). CRUZAO amalgamates authentic latin rhythms, jazz harmonies and urban ideology A few of Cruzao's regular members are on tour with other bands. These performances will feature: Nick "Brownman" Ali - trumpet / flugel / electric trumpet / all compositions / conductor (Trinidad) Marcus Ali - alto sax / bass clarinet / flute (Trinidad - from MARRON MATIZADO) Marc Rogers - 5 & 6-string electric basses / loop-station (Canada - from GRUVASYLUM) Daniel Barnes - drumset / timbales (Canadian National Jazz Award nominee) Luisito Orbegoso - congas (Peru) (Canadian National Jazz Award nominee) & special guest Enlight - microphone (Trinidad) (one of Canada's finest free-style jazz-rappers) Trinidadian-Canadian Justin Time Recording Artist Nick "Brownman" Ali & CRUZAO have achieved much in the Canadian jazz community to date including being awarded the 2002 Canadian National Jazz Award for "Composer of the Year", NJA nominations in 2002, 2003 & 2004 for "Electric Jazz Group of the Year", and 2003 "Trumpet Player of the Year". This group has also been awarded the Montreal Jazz Festival's coveted "Grand Prix du Jazz" award, CBC Galaxie's Rising Star award and was nominated in 2004 for an "Canadian Independant Music Artist award". The group's debut CD "Shades of Brown" (Justin Time Records 2002 - MP3s here) spent 3 months as number 1 on the college and community radio stations Canada-wide upon it's release and, along with Jane Bunnett, are one of the only Canadian latin-jazz recordings recognized in New York City. As a sideman this young hornman has just over 100 CDs to his credit making him one of the most in demand session musicians in Canada. As a leader his group CRUZAO has toured this country's jazz festival and club circuit extensively and has been called by the Globe and Mail "the busiest jazz unit of 2002". Europe welcomed the NICK ALI TRIO in 2002 and 2003 as the group toured the continent and recorded a record for release on a European label. He has headlined the Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba as both featured soloist and with CRUZAO, the Montreal Jazz Festival to 120,000 with GRUVASYLUM and the various American festivals, NYC's jazz festival calling him "the Canadian/Trinidadian jazz trumpet monster". -- Jon Kay Endangered Species Management Representing trumpeter/composer Nick "Brownman" Ali New York City, New York JonKay@brownman.com