Quarteto Nuevo de Los Angeles

Artist Information

Biography

QUARTETO NUEVO

Quarteto Nuevo de Los Angeles was founded in 2001 by master percussionist Christopher Garcia*.
This world/jazz/chamber ensembles unique style is the product of the musical diversity
of its members who are deeply rooted in the worlds of North and South Indian,
Classical, Mexican Indigenous, Folkloric and Jazz music.

The groups live performances and two studio recordings have received critical acclaim
and rave reviews from print and internet media:All About Jazz, Downbeat, LA Jazz times,
The LA Times, and The San Jose Mercury News to name a few.

Melding the sound of ancient worlds and faraway places with a contemporary groove,
Quarteto Nuevo's music is complex in its structure and sophisticated time signatures
but always melodic, accessible, and deeply communicative.

“What this quartet effectively does, is to merge Andean folk, North Indian classical,
Latin and jazz with an organic feel that also packs a wallop! The ensemble's razor
sharp precision is enhanced by its jazzy interludes, lightly rumbling percussion motifs
and difficult to navigate, time signatures. They effectively meld the music of ancient
worlds and faraway places with a contemporary groove. Ultimately, this wonderful
outing signifies one of the major surprises of the year! (Passionately recommended)”
ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"the most unique aspect of the group, is their ensemble sound. Influenced by styles
from India and Mexico in addition to jazz and classical music. QUARTETO NUEVO'S
music is modern and uses advanced rhythms and time signatures yet also has the
sound of ancient times. Their nine performances on their CD are atmospheric, full of
subtle surprises and unlike anything else heard in the jazz world."
LA JAZZ SCENE

"Their fresh album "Quarteto Nuevo" conserves the features that made the group so
attractive before -- an original and instantly accessible approach to Middle Eastern, Indian,
Mexican and flamenco music, with bridges built among 'em all. (Even a Zappa tune, because
that's essential to Garcia's lineage.) The watchword is space, as you'll breathe deeply and
relax with the cleanly defined balance of these master musicians, who could play a lot busier
but don't, because they want to communicate."
METALJAZZ

"Playing what one might term World Music,the group is more of a jazz ensemble
that uses traditions of different cultures’ musics as a solid foundation, combining
unusual and unique instrumental textures and orchestrations with authoritative
improvising. Original compositions are rendered along with arrangements of favorites
by a variety of other composers, all blending together to create a consistent ensemble
sound and identity."
OPEN GATE THEATER

"Quarteto Nuevo is CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK"
LA WEEKLY

"Straddling the worlds of folkloric, jazz, and contemporary composition, these four
virtuosos make a hybrid music that’s greater than the sum of its parts."
L.A. CITY BEAT

Chris Garcia is a most uncommon percussionist .......an ace trap drum player
....known for precise execution of difficult time signatures at blazing tempos;
and he’s a hand percussionist with a deep background in Indian and Latin American
music. No mere timekeeper, he always seems to elevate whatever musical situation
he finds himself in. His Quarteto Nuevo ....spins a fantastic hybrid of sounds
and styles: the Andes, the Punjab and Catalonia might all be suggested on one tune.
Garcia conceived his group as an outlet for his own compositions and as a meeting
place for gifted instrumentalists. Youngstrom observes, “With each new tune,
the group subtly redefines itself."
PASADENA WEEKLY

"Christopher Garcia is one of those musicians who always seems to be on stage
when amazing things are happening. Although he's a phenomenal drummer, he may
be best known as a master of Vedic percussion techniques and, specifically, the tabla."
LONG BEACH POST

" percussionist Garcia just kicked my ears down Broadway. He sat cross-legged,
almost hidden behind his unique drum kit, coaxing complex rhythms from hand drums
and adding subtle colors on shakers, cymbals, cowbell and jam blocks."
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

"I love seeing great percussionists perform even more. Chris is a freak! His setup is
played sitting on the floor with indian, middle eastern, and african hand percussion mixed with
traditional cymbals and some misc stuff like thin gongs and a thunderstick. His time is immaculate,
his musicality is deep deep deep, and he is a super nice guy. "
ZAPPATEERS.COM

"Christopher Garcia has traveled the world teaching and playing in some of the most eclectic groups imagined."
RANDOM LENGTHS

"Garcia's playing is vibrant and alive with passion, humor and a good deal of technical prowess,
not to mention the breadth of vision necessary to effectively translate such an unpredictable
stream of music."
THE WEEKLY ALIBI

QUARTETO NUEVOS members have performed
and/or recorded with the following:
George Abe, the Ahn Trio, Ancient Grooves,
Airto, Ralph Alessi, John Bergamo, Cyro Baptista,
Bergen Filharmonik Orkester under Kristan Jarvi,
Dusan Bogdanovic, Bobby Bradford Mo-Tet, Mike Cain,
Oslo Camerata, Park Je Chun, Alex Cline Ensemble,
Nels Cline, Continuum, Taylor Eigsti, Eastman Wind and Jazz Ensemble,
Falla Guitar Trio, Florida Wind Symphony,
FRANK ZAPPA ALUMNI: The Grande Mothers of Invention
Vinny Golia, Alex de Grassi, Souhail Kaspar’s Near East Ensemble,
Larry Koonse, Jie Ma, Michael Manring, Roberto Miguel Miranda,
The Moscow Symphony, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra,
New World Symphony, Don Preston Quartet, Quinteto Latino, the Red Quartet,
Ali Jihad Racy, Rochester Philharmonic Pops Orchestra,
Rade Serbedzija and the New Cinema Band, RUSH, Saluumna Ensemble,
Harry Scorzo Quartet, Putter Smith, Malik Sow, Mochizuki Takinojo, Miroslav Tadic,
Trondheim Soloists,The UCLA World Jazz Ensemble, Luis Villegas, VIO-FONIK,
Michael Pierre Vlatkovich, among others

*best known for his hand, and finger percussion playing with
ANADI MUSIC - world music
ANCIENT GROOVES - world music ensemble
IN FLUX ENSEMBLE
NUEVO MUNDOS/MEXICAS - ancient traditions of Mexico
MICHAEL MANRING/MIROSLAV TADIC/GARCIA TRIO - world music trio
QUARTETO NUEVO - world music chamber ensemble
SILK ROADS MUSIC ENSEMBLE - music, culture and ancient traditions from the Silk Road
VIO - FONIK - string trio plus hand percussion

and his drumset playing with
CONTINUUM - fusion for the 21st century
IN FLUX ENSEMBLE - percussion music for the 21st century
RADE SERBEDZIJA AND THE NEW CINEMA BAND
MICHAEL VLATKOVICH - Avant jazz
ZAPPA ALUMNI band the
GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION

Instrumentation

Christopher Garcia - Percussion of North and South India, percussion of Mexico and the Middle East
Jacob Szekely - 4 and 5 string cellos
Kenton Youngstrom - Acoustic Guitar
Damon Zick - Soprano Sax, Alto Flute

Discography

Quarteto Nuevo (self-titled) - 2010
El Musico - 2007

Official Website

http://www.quartetonuevo.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• CD Baby
• EUROPEAN BOOKING ONLY
• USA BOOKING ONLY

Audio

• Cego Aderaldo
  Listen  
• Women's Dance
  Listen  
• Para Mi Alegria
  Listen  
• A Rain Song
  Listen  
• Hector, Desmond And Titus
  Listen  

Video

Introducing Quarteto Nuevo

Photo Gallery

Press

• QUARTETO NUEVO REVIEW in LA JAZZ SCENE [+ Show ]
  

  "QUARTETO NUEVO, a unique world jazz quartet is sometimes reminiscent of Oregon. Founded in 2001 by ..."QUARTETO NUEVO, a unique world jazz quartet is sometimes reminiscent of Oregon. Founded in 2001 by percussionist Christopher Garcia (who is particularly adept on tabla),
  the current edition of the group also includes cellist Jacob Szekely, acoustic guitarist Kenton Youngstrom and Damon Zick on soprano sax and alto flute.
  
  Performing originals plus pieces by Egberto Gismonti and Milcho Leviev, QUARTETO NUEVO features individual solos but the main emphasis, and the most unique aspect of the group, is their ensemble sound. Influenced by styles from India and Mexico in addition to jazz and classical music. QUARTETO NUEVO'S music is modern and uses advanced rhythms and time signatures yet also has the sound of ancient times. Their nine performances on their CD are atmospheric, full of subtle surprises and unlike anything else heard in the jazz world.
  
  Clearly this would be a fascinating group to see live and fortunately they perform occasionally in the Los Angeles area. This fine outing gives listeners a strong example of their music."
  
  LA JAZZ SCENE
  SCOTT YANOW

• Metaljazz.com review [+ Show ]
  

  Sat. Nov. 13 -- Local world musicians Quarteto Nuevo have re-formed with a new lineup: omni-drumme...Sat. Nov. 13 --
  Local world musicians Quarteto Nuevo have re-formed with a new lineup:
  omni-drummer Christopher Garcia now joined by cellist Jacob Szekely,
  guitarist Kenton Youngstrom and saxist Damon Zick. Their fresh album
  "Quarteto Nuevo" conserves the features that made the group so attractive
  before -- an original and instantly accessible approach to Middle Eastern,
  Indian, Mexican and flamenco music, with bridges built among 'em all.
  (Even a Zappa tune, because that's essential to Garcia's lineage.)
  
  The watchword is space, as you'll breathe deeply and relax with the cleanly
  defined balance of these master musicians, who could play a lot busier but don't,
  because they want to communicate. Listen to the way Garcia slaps tablas,
  so deep and internal that they seem like part of your own ventricles.
  Szekely draws out rich bowed lines, Youngstrom strums or melodicizes,
  Zick subs for double-reed snake music with an undulating soprano sax,
  and they're as symmetrical and beautiful as an arabesque.
  The kids will dig it.
  

• QUARTETO NUEVO REVIEW [+ Show ]
  

  "Whenever it seems warranted and I have the time, I always like to listen to music (CDs) more than ..."Whenever it seems warranted and I have the
  time, I always like to listen to music (CDs) more than once, back-to-back.
  More often I just select two tracks and listen to them 4 or 5 times --
  I seem to learn more about the artists and their music that way.
  With this new Quarteto record I put it on yesterday morning at 8:30 and
  more or less listened to it all day.......BUT the
  music still gets into your pores.
  What a great record.
  It grows on you.
  A record can either grow on you not. This one just blossomed by
  the fourth rotation. Wow. It has such a tender-hearted and delicate beauty
  that envelops you with warmth. In a lot of ways it is an affectionate and
  even-handed portrait of today's Los Angeles.
  Thanks for laying this gem on me !"
   
  Mark Weber
  KUNM Albuquerque USA
  Thursday Jazz @ Noon
  (streaming on web, also >  KUNM.org )
  

• Passionately Recommended [+ Show ]
  

  “What this quartet effectively does, is to merge Andean folk, North Indian classical, Latin and jaz...“What this quartet effectively does, is to merge Andean folk, North Indian classical,
  Latin and jazz with an organic feel that also packs a wallop! The ensemble's razor
  sharp precision is enhanced by its jazzy interludes, lightly rumbling percussion motifs
  and difficult to navigate, time signatures. They effectively meld the music of ancient
  worlds and faraway places with a contemporary groove. Ultimately, this wonderful
  outing signifies one of the major surprises of the year!
  (Passionately recommended)”

• NUEVO HORIZONS Quarteto Nuevo brings its hybrid sound to South Pasadena [+ Show ]
  

  Chris Garcia is a most uncommon percussionist .......an ace trap drum player ....known for precise ...Chris Garcia is a most uncommon percussionist .......an ace trap drum player
  ....known for precise execution of difficult time signatures at blazing tempos;
  and he’s a hand percussionist with a deep background in Indian and Latin American music.
  No mere timekeeper, he always seems to elevate whatever musical situation
  he finds himself in. His Quarteto Nuevo ....spins a fantastic hybrid of sounds
  and styles: the Andes, the Punjab and Catalonia might all be suggested on one tune.
  Garcia conceived his group as an outlet for his own compositions and as a meeting
  place for gifted instrumentalists. Youngstrom observes, “With each new tune,
  the group subtly redefines itself.
  My ‘Say What?’ is inspired by Latin jazz; my chart on Milcho Leviev’s
  ‘Women’s Dance’ is like a Bulgarian blues in 5/4.” Garcia sees growth in the
  last decade. “We’ve accomplished a new sound for the ensemble.
  There’s so much more that we’re hearing now due to rehearsals
  and many more doors have been opened to us.
  Our limitations are, as always, ourselves and time.”
  

• CD REVIEW OF NEW QUARTETO NUEVO RELEASE [+ Show ]
  

  “This is an intriguing set. Although there have been many types of "fusions" of jazz with other typ...“This is an intriguing set. Although there have been many types of "fusions"
  of jazz with other types of music, only a relatively few projects have mixed
  jazz with World Music from foreign countries. Quarteto Nuevo's music goes
  through quite a few different moods yet remains gentle, subtle, melodic and often
  rhythmically complex....this CD almost seems like a suite, with one number leading
  to the next.”
  

• CD REVIEW OF NEW QUARTETO NUEVO RELEASE [+ Show ]
  

  “Straddling the worlds of folkloric, jazz, and contemporary composition, these four virtuosos make ...“Straddling the worlds of folkloric, jazz, and contemporary composition,
  these four virtuosos make a hybrid music that’s greater than the sum of its parts."
  

• Quarteto Nuevo In Concert [+ Show ]
  

  "Percussionist Garcia just kicked my ears down Broadway. ..... cross-legged, almost hidden behind h..."Percussionist Garcia just kicked my ears down
  Broadway. ..... cross-legged, almost hidden behind his
  unique drum kit, coaxing complex rhythms from hand
  drums and adding subtle colors on shakers, cymbals,
  cowbell and jam blocks.”
  

• "pick of the week!"
  

  “QUARTETO NUEVO is concert pick of the week!"

• Quarteto Nuevo In Concert [+ Show ]
  

  "irresistible program...stunning projection...highly motivated performances...exceptional virtuosit..."irresistible program...stunning projection...highly
  motivated performances...exceptional virtuosity and
  high musical standards"

Setlist

Quarteto Nuevo performs one and two set shows. Each set combines original compositions inspired by diverse musical cultures along with compositions by composers such as Corea, Gismonti, Revueltas and Frank Zappa.

Typical set list for a one hour set:

Cego Alderaldo - Egberto Gismonti
Hector, Desmond and Titus - Damon Zick
Jacaranda - John Bergamo
Tarnath - Christopher Garcia
Para mi Alegria - Christopher Garcia
A Rain Song - Jacob Szekely
Balance - Jacob Szekely
Women's Dance - Milcho Leviev
Even Picasso Couldn't Find Her - Paul Carmen
T'Mershi Du'Ween - Frank Zappa

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

QN4 TECH RIDER/STAGE PLOT

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