The Betsy Hotel Announces Fall/Winter Jazz Line-up
The Betsy Hotel has announced an exceptional jazz line up for Fall/Winter 2022 with more than nine weekly live performances featuring award-winning jazz pianists, vocalists, and instrumentalists. The Betsy’s curated core rotation of 13 pianists represent wide-ranging culturally infused styles with highly developed improvisational skills and consummate piano technique. With daily performances located at a Steinway in The Betsy Hotel Lobby Salon, there is no cover, and no minimum. Patrons are invited to reserve a table for drinks or dinner at https://bit.ly/3y6Q6Uh
#JazzAtTheBetsy also champions jazz vocalists as the genre’s seminal storytellers. To that end, Betsy presents a powerful monthly event on Third Thursdays featuring three generations of singers. Led by legacy vocalist Carole Ann Taylor and mid-career performer Cindy Ellis, each event also features an emerging vocalist who is also an alum of the Miami Dade County Public Schools. Several high profile jazz concerts in Lummus Park will also take place in a series curated by The Betsy’s VP of Arts Deborah Briggs, presented by the Ocean Drive Association in front of The Betsy Hotel, on the (new) Ocean Drive Promenade: https://bit.ly/3EgpRi4
#JazzatTheBetsy Fall 2022 Performers: Allen Paul, Arlin Alvarez, Beau Cornelius, Bryan Murphy, Carole Ann Taylor, Cindy Ellis, David Attelan, Devin Shaw, Edgar Pantoja, Felipe Lamoglia, Jim Gasior, Julie Davis, Ken Dow, Ken Peplowski, Leonard Reina, Ludwig Alfonso, Manny Echezabal, Markus Gottschich, Michael Eckroth, Olegario Diaz, Ryan Ellis, Shelly Berg, Tal Cohen, Vincent Raffard, and more: https://bit.ly/3Cyg4Cs
#JazzAtTheBetsy – Fall 2022
BIOS OF CORE JAZZ MUSICIANS IN ROTATION – 9+ TIMES A WEEK IN THE LOBBY SALON @ LTSS
Allen C. PAUL – Piano – Allen Paul’s early years were filled with discoveries of jazz, blues, funk, gospel – all musical puzzle pieces that would begin to weave its way into his playing. A graduate of the U of Miami School of Music, he currently performs, writes and teaches privately in South Florida - and is both a sought after soloist and side man for the best and brightest jazz and gospel soloists in the region. @AllenPaulMusic
Beau CORNELIUS – Piano – Beau Matthew Cornelius is the recent recipient of a Doctorate in Jazz from the University of Miami. He graduated with a Masters in Jazz Studies from USC, and has been in residence with the prestigious All American College Band at Disney. Cornelius is building his professional book in SoFla by performing at hotels and other venues. @beaunelius
Brian MURPHY – Piano - Brian M. Murphy has enjoyed a career as a multi-genre pianist, arranger, conductor, and producer - and has been worked with many greats, including Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Albert Collins, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Kevin Mahogany, Tom Scott, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, David Liebman, Bob Berg, Eddie Daniels, Wycliffe Gordon, Jackie Paris, Dame Shirley Bassey, Lucie Arnaz, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jack Jones, Bernadette Peters, Julie Budd, Nigel Kennedy, Caroline Rocher, Hal Linden, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci and others. @miamijazzcooperative
Carole Anne TAYLOR - Vocals –Jazz singer Carole Ann Taylor is known for her uplifting stage presence – and for her storied career as a jazz singer who performed with the greats. She’s been called ‘a driving force with an easy way - reflective of jazz’s improvisatory freedom’. Taylor is a community leader who mentors youth performers, and emerging singers – and supports peers through actively producing and presenting them in performance. Carole Ann Taylor headlines The Betsy’s Third Thursday Jazz Nights with Cindy Ellis. @miamitogo
Cindy ELLIS – Vocals - Cindy Ellis is a Cuban-American vocalist who has performed with and conducted ensembles in a variety of venues including Carnegie Hall, the Adrienne Arsht Center, New World Symphony Hall, Guzman Center, and Kennedy Center. As a jazz artist, she is frequently featured in venues throughout South Florida and is a regular in the Betsy Hotel’s Mostly Jazz performance series, where she performs with ‘Duetology’. Cindy Ellis headlines The Betsy’s Third Thursday Jazz Nights with Carole Ann Taylor. @cindyellis
David ATTELAN – Piano – David Attelan is an award-winning pianist who has composed, arranged and produced music for wide ranging programs and partners, including, L'Oréal, La Fnac, EMI, and Sony BMG. His publishing label has produced, composed or arranged for musicals such as "Fiddler on The Roof", "Piaf", "Grease", "Salt & Honey" and he performed for ten years throughout Europe as conductor and director of company ADAMA. David plays most Monday nights @thebetsyhotel, @davidspianosound
Devin SHAW – Piano – Devin Shaw is a 2025 STAMPS Scholar in the Jazz Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Devin began classical music training at the Merit School of Music and continued his training with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Ravinia Jazz Scholars. Devin studied jazz privately with pianist Ryan Cohan, and other noted Chicago musicians.
Edgar PANTOJA – Piano - Edgar PANTOJA is a Pianist, composer, and music educator who specializes in Latin jazz, and world music. His music combines Cuban roots sources of rumba, son, and timba with international rhythms of samba, Moroccan Gnawa, jazz and funk. Born in Santiago de Cuba, Pantoja has spent decades touring and collaborating with stars, including Rubén Blades, David Murray, and Angelique Kidjo. He was keyboardist for Cuban conga maestro Pedrito Martinez. Pantoja graduated from the Conservatorio Esteban Salas. Ole headlines Sunday Latin Jazz Night @thebetsyhotel. @edgarpantojamusic
Jim GASIOR – Piano - Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Music and Jazz Performance, a Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy - both from University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he is in the final stages of his Doctorate in Jazz. Gasior has performed with Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson, Alih Jey, Chayanne, Little Richard, Michael Bolton, Jose Feliciano, Smokey Robinson, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Terell Stafford, Patti Austin, Duffy Jackson, Jason Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Robin Eubanks, and many others. Jim headlines for New Year’s Eve 2022 @thebetsyhotel, @jimgasiorpiano
Julie DAVIS – Vocals - Julie Davis is a singer, songwriter who “operates a few years ahead of the indie-rock curve, whether in her spare, haunting vocals or her boundary-pushing arrangements,” (Denver Post ). Her fans and peers say that she is a stylist that seeks an original twist on everything she performs and a risk- taker who’s scatting suggests that she can sing anything, and sing it well. Julie headlines for New Year’s Eve 2022 @thebetsyhotel, @davisanddow
Kelly DOW – Guitar - An alum of the University of North Texas, Kelly Dow is a world class 7-string guitarist who blends all styles from Be-Bop to Classical and creates a strong individual sound delivered with sensitivity and creativity. “Simply orchestral in support" “Swinging” and “Multi-hued” is how critics have described his performances. Kelly teaches guitar at North Broward Preparatory School and performs as part of Davis and Dow. @davisanddow
Leonard REINA – Piano - Leonard Reina is a graduate of the U of Miami and has been active internationally as a pianist-composer for over a decade. Whether breathing new life into the works of the classical greats or giving his musical dexterity free rein within the sphere of jazz improvisation, he is a daring instrumentalist who welcomes the challenges born out of turning preconceived notions on their head as well as the rewards to be had when taking on worthy risks. Leonard plays most Saturday nights @thebetsyhotel. @leonardreina
Markus GOTTSCHLICH - Piano – An Austrian born jazz pianist, composer and Steinway Artist, Markus Gottschlich recently released a third album, Found Sounds, which received critical international acclaim. Sharing his time between Europe and South Florida, his music has been featured in the Egyptian blockbuster Ras El Sana and in the Austrian music documentary NYC- This is Us. Markus’ music reflects a unique blend of old world and new world with technique that creates a highly-individual and lyrical sound. @MarkusGottschlich
Michael ECKROTH - Mike Eckroth earned a PhD in jazz performance at NYU and currently leads many high profile projects in varied genres of music. As a newly minted professor in the Jazz program at Florida International University, he leads the Latin Jazz Ensemble. Eckroth also served as the arranger and pianist for Calle Mambo Project's 2018 album See The Light, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2019 for the "Best Tropical Latin Album" category for the self-titled debut album by Orquesta Akokan. @MichaelEckroth
Olegario DIAZ - Piano - Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Diaz moved to the USA at age 17 to study jazz at the Berklee College of Music and then furthered his studies at New York’s Manhattan School of Music where he earned a master’s degree. Diaz is active as performer and author of instructional books related to piano pedagogy and jazz studies. He travels frequently to record and perform. Ole headlines Wednesday Latin Jazz Night @thebetsyhotel. @olegariodiaz
Ryan ELLIS – Piano – Ryan Ellis is a graduate of the U of Miami and is currently a career music educator in the Miami Dade Schools. Ellis received his Master’s Degree in Music from Florida International University on a fellowship from the Johnny Mercer Foundation. As a professional jazz pianist, Mr. Ellis has worked extensively in the Caribbean, Florida and Hawaii performing pop and jazz with many great musicians, most notably: Eddie Jones, Bobby Dukoff, Paul Brown, Leon Foster Thomas, Bobby Ramirez, and Ira Sullivan. @ryanellis
Tal COHEN – Piano - Tal Cohen is a Grammy award winning jazz pianist and the winner of the Barry Harris National Piano Competition. Tal has played worldwide, and recently with Terence Blanchard, Greg Osby, Ignacio Berroa, Joe Lovano and many other jazz headliners. Recent festival appearances inlude Jazzbez Jazz Festival (Ukraine), Detroit Jazz Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival (Australia), and a three week residency at the Black Cat (San Fransisco). A recent album- "Gentle Giants" has received international acclaim and gained him many reviews including a 4-star review from the historic Downbeat Magazine. Tal headlines at The Betsy on most Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings for brunch. @talcohenjazz
BIOS OF MUSICIANS CURATED BY #JAZZATTHEBETSY
FOR PERFORMANCES ON THE OCEAN DRIVE PROMENADE with the Ocean Drive Association
Arlin ALVAREZ – Vocals – Mostly known as Arlin, she was born in Cuba and began her singing career as a child. Recognized for her vocal range and for having a silky melodic voice, was awarded the Excellency Price in Cuba as an emerging talent. Known for her ability to sing in different languages and the ability to blend contemporary and world music elements into a very unique style of music composition, Arlin boasts four album releases. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of French Horn Collective.) @Arlinthesinger
Felipe LAMOGLIA – Sax – Felipe Lamoglia is a Grammy-winning musician, born and educated in Cuba at the Superior Institute of Art (ISA). Of Lamoglia’s consummate playing Billboard said, “...Mr Lamoglia seems to be one of the first Tenor sax from Cuba how really have some direct influences from Coltrane, but with a particular language based in Afro-cuban traditions.” (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of the Olegario Diaz Quartet.) @felipelamoglia
Ken Peplowski – Clarinet - Ken Peplowski plays jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophone; he’s widely known for playing swing music in the style (and even better than … Benny Goodman). He has recorded over 70 CDs as a soloist, and 400 as a sideman – with such artists as Charlie Byrd, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops, Hank Jones, Peggy Lee, Bill Charlap, Woody Allen, Benny Goodman, and Madonna. He has headlined the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, the Blue Note, and Dizzy’s Club among many other venues. (Appearing with Shelly Berg in partnership with the ODA.) @kenpeplowski
Ludwig ALFONSO – Drums - Ludwig Alfonso was born in Havana, Cuba and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Studio Music and Jazz Performance from the University of Miami. After graduation he became a member of Spyro Gyra, appearing on their Grammy-nominated CD Wrapped in a Dream. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of the Olegario Diaz Quartet.)
Manuel ECHAZABAL - Sax – Manny Echazabal recorded his Debut Album in 2017 receiving excellent reviews from world jazz publications. Echazabal graduated from the U of Miami Jazz program, and has performed as a band leader and on sax and woodwinds, worldwide. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of the Olegario Diaz Quartet.) @mannyechazabal
Shelly BERG - Piano - Shelton "Shelly" Glen Berg is a Steinway classical/jazz pianist and dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and the school's Patricia L. Frost Professor of Music. Berg worked with Hollywood studio arranger Dick Marx and Tom Halm at Sunset Sound Recording Studios. He recorded with the Shelly Berg Trio, including The Joy (DMP, 1995), The Will: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson (CARS, 1998), and Blackbird (Concord, 2005). In 2006, he was music director and pianist on the Great Performances television show We Love Ella! A Tribute to the First Lady of Song (PBS, 2007). (Appearing in partnership with the ODA with Ken Peoplowski.) @shellyberg
Vincent RAFFARD – Bandleader/Multi-instrumentalist- Born and classically trained in France as a trumpet player and guitarist, Vincent Raffard’s music can't be categorized into just one stylistic genre. Vincent has performed in many Paris venues and throughout South Florida, in recent years. Vincent’s first album, "Célestin", was released in 2006 and distributed by Sony/BMG, with 8 albums to date, and created the French Horn Collective in 2012. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA with French horn Collective.) @VincentRaffard