September 20, 2007
Puerto Plata

Rio Grande Theater

José Manuel Cobles, a.k.a. Puerto Plata, is an 83-year-old veteran of the guitar tradition of the Dominican Republic, adept in all of its many forms—bolero, merengue, ranchera, mangulina, bachata—and above all, son. He offers us a taste of the living music of the great soneros which only a contemporary of theirs could give us, yet his interpretations of classic sones and boleros have a particularly Dominican flavor. When he plays merengue, he takes us back to a time, before the dominance of saxophone and accordion, when son, merengue, guaracha and música jíbara were much closer in their nature, being merely different regional variations of the same Afro-Iberian fusion.

October 3, 2007
Joe Bonamassa

Rio Grande Theater

Joe Bonamassa is a soulful blues guitarist that has played with the likes of BB King, Buddy Guy and Steven Stills. His sound is a mix of classic, original and rock blues guitar with incredible vocals. Among other honors, Bonamassa, in recognition of efforts in promoting blues music through North America and Europe as well as his efforts with Blues in the Schools- a program to spark kids’ interest in the history of blues and American music- was nominated as the youngest member of The Blues Foundation committee board in 2006. He has also had numerous #1 Billboard blues chart hits.

NMSU Music Recital Hall

Ricardo Lemvo has established himself as a pioneer with his innovative music, combining Latin and African elements from salsa to soukous with an occasional merengue or Afro-Portuguese excursion. This Congo-born artist of Angolan ancestry is the embodiment of the Afro-Latin Diaspora which connects back to Mother Africa via the Cuban clave rhythm. Lemvo is truly multi-cultural and equally at home singing in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Lingala, and Kikongo.

Rio Grande Theater

Made up of eighteen unique instrumentalists, Barrage performances offer up a diverse fusion of cultures, musical styles and incredible performance vitality.  The music of Barrage continues to evolve - combining contemporary world music influences, layered vocal arrangements and pulsating modern beats and rhythms. The young hip cast delivers the show with amazing energy and musical virtuosity.

NMSU Music Recital Hall

The Orchid Ensemble blends ancient musical instruments and traditions from China and beyond, creating a beautiful new sound that is both creative and distinct. The ensemble has embraced a variety of musical styles to its repertoire, ranging from the traditional and contemporary music of China, World Music, New Music to Jazz and Creative Improvisation. The energetic yet endearing performance style of the ensemble consistently intrigues and delights its audiences, consistently receiving standing ovations. Orchid Ensemble has been tirelessly developing an innovative musical genre based on the cultural exchange between Western and Asian musicians.

Rio Grande Theater

Claudia Gonzalez reemerges with Cava, a project that continues the evolution of Latin music in Los Angeles. Her Voice communicates a strong-willed feminine energy that is simultaneously sultry and maternal. Cava is a combination of sounds unique to a Mexican-American upbringing. The young musicians together create a jazzy blend of traditional son, cumbia, ska and salsa. She has independently released her new album titled “CAVA” introducing the new configuration of Latin powered Jazz with a tinge of Peruvian soul weaving in and out of Cumbia, Salsa, Afro-Cuban Son and Ska beats.

Music Recital Hall

Ravi Coltrane son of John and Alice Coltrane- tenor and soprano saxophonist, bandleader, and composer - has fronted a variety of jazz lineups, recorded critically-hailed albums as leader, produced recordings by other artists - including his mother, worked as sideman for jazz luminaries, overseen important jazz reissues, and founded an independent record label RKM. Seventeen years since finding his life's path, it seems music was Ravi's destiny from the outset A fantastic Saxophone player Ravi continues to wow audiences with the ability to light up the room with great musical styling’s.

Rio Grande Theater

Shidara, a troupe of brilliant young men and women, present the art of Taiko drumming like it's never before been seen. Blending top-notch skill, blinding energy and breakneck speed, their performances carry a deeper spiritual purpose rooted in ancient times. Defying time and place, their music captures the earthy tones of long ago, and thunders with new images of Japanese mountain life. In their signature piece, Niebuchi, one realizes the immense drama of the roaring river whirlpool that members pass by in daily training.

May 1, 2008
Buílle with Karan Casey

Rio Grande Theater

Buille first came into being during the summer of 2004. It combines the unique talents of Niall Vallely on concertina, Paul Meehan on guitar and Caoimhín Vallely on piano, in collaboration with Karan Casey who is also one of the most influential -and often imitated- folk singers of our time. While based in traditional Irish forms, the music draws on a wide range of influences from the worlds of jazz and classical music in particular.