A Personal Appeal From Mark Harvey:
Dear Aardvark Fans,
In 1974, Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi and I co-led an exciting ensemble in Boston called the Allstars Big Band. Claudio went on to international fame with many artists including Paquito D’Rivera and Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra.
Now fighting cancer, the Berklee Latino and Latin Music Studies Departments presented an evening of Claudiio’s music in his honor featuring many standout musicians including Fernando Brandao, Oscar Stagnaro, Victor Mendoza, and many more. Audience members enjoyed the music on this free concert and also contributed to a GoFundMe effort to assist with Claudio’s medical treatment. (See link below.)
I was part of the evening, sharing recollections of the Allstars and playing an archival recording made at the legendary Debbie’s jazz club. A link below will take you to a story on Dick Vacca’s Troy Street blog that tells a bit about the Allstars. Also, jazz radio host from that period, Charlie Perkins, was the emcee for the evening.
The event titled The Music and Legacy of Claudio Roditi took place on Monday, June 17, at 7:30 PM at the David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston Street, Boston, Berklee College of Music.
Great to see many of you at this unique and meaningful event. Please support Claudio by contributing through the link below.
All best wishes,
Mark Harvey