|
 |
Musical Resume of Roberto Ocasio
Experience:
1965 - 1975 ~ Performing from the age of ten, working with
musical groups in the Cleveland area--all styles of music from Rock to Pop, R&B, Motown, Country, Fusion, Salsa and Merengue.
Education/History & Performance
1965 ~ The Cleveland Settlement of Music. Major studies included guitar along with music theory and harmony.
1963/68 ~ 1972 ~ Studied Clarinet / Tenor Saxophone
Jan - Sept 1974 ~ School of Fine Arts; Cleveland, Ohio. Studies included piano and theory.
Jan - Sept 1975 ~ Third Street Settlement, New York City. Studies included piano, theory, and harmony (Piano Instructor, Mr. Milton Hamilton).
Jan - Nov 1975 ~ Johnny Colon School of Music; Spanish Harlem, NYC.
(Instructor, Mr. Sonny Bravo)
June - Sept 1975 ~ New York City College Lab Band
(Instructor, Mr. Charley Palmieri).
Jan ‘76 - Nov ‘78 ~ Berklee College of Music,
Boston.
Major: Arranging and Composition.
(Piano Instructor, Mr. James Williams from Art Blaky Band).
Mar - Nov 1982 ~ Cuyahoga Community College; Cleveland, Ohio.
Lab Band (Instructor, Dr. Joe Howard).
Jan ‘78 - Oct ‘82 ~ Recorded; taught theory, composition and piano; performed in Cleveland area, then
toured throughout the United States in various musical groups.
1982 - 1985 ~ Performed in local Cleveland groups, from all-occasion to lounge bands. Began working with Mr. Ronnie Fiorentino,
Lead Singer for The Four Coins
(continuing occasional work and collaboration today).
1985 - 1991~ Performed and recorded with the contemporary jazz-fusion band,
“Horns and Things.”
1991 - 1996 ~ Limited playing due to medical condition.
1996 - Present ~ “Roberto Ocasio’s Latin Jazz Project” — performing with
his Latin Jazz Trio, Quintet and 8-piece "Tropical Jam"
Orchestra around Ohio. From concerts to club dates to corporate, private,
and educational performances averaging 15 - 25 gigs a
month and more than 50 festival and event performances
per season.
The Group's first CD, "Algo
Para Ti," was released May 11,2001.
Continuing Education:2001 - Study with Eddie
Palmieri; Goddard College, Vermont (Afro-Caribbean Jazz)
1999 - Aebersold Summer Camp; Louisville, Kentucky
1998 - Escuela Nacional de Musica; Republica de Cuba
Teaching Experience:
Present ~ Teaching Latin music and its roots through
educational programs, clinics, workshops and lectures
for universities, schools (elementary - secondary),
churches, libraries, and community programs, including
for elderly.
Clients include The Northeast Ohio Jazz Society, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Federation of Musicians’ Union, Young Audiences,
Beck Center, Metro Catholic, and the Cleveland Public
School System (including Walton, Kentucky, Buhrer, Union
and Roxboro; Wapakoneta, Ohio, Middle School).
1998 - 2001- Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center, Cleveland.
8-week program of piano and theory.
Honors & Recognitions:
With two consecutive years' nominations, Roberto
Ocasio's Latin Jazz Project was awarded the 2002 FREE
TIMES Music Award for Best Jazz Band.
Opened and shared the stage with major national
artists, such as Eddie Palmieri, Nestor Torres, Humberto
Ramirez, Arturo Sandoval Percussionist, Eugie Castrillo.
Roberto Ocasio's Latin Jazz Project has performed for
more than 50 festivals and events during Summer 2001 and
for the past five years has been among specially
featured bands selected for the prestigious Northeast
Ohio Jazz Society Annual Fundraiser.
Named 2001 "Hispanic of the Year" by NUEVOS
HORIZONTES Newspaper for "Outstanding and Valuable
Service to the Community."
With Special Recognitions from:
The Honorable George V. Voinovich, U.S. Senate
The Honorable Dennis J. Kucinich, U.S. House of
Representatives
The Honorable Sherrod Brown, U.S. House of
Representatives
The Honorable Bob Taft, Governor, State of Ohio
The Honorable Larry Householder, Ohio House of
Representatives
Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners
Cleveland City Council
Councilman, Nelson Cintron, City of Cleveland, Ward 14
Honored as the 1997 “Outstanding Musician and Community Leader” by
The Puerto Rican Society of Cleveland and The Puerto Rican Cultural
Ethnic Festival.
|
|
