Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project with Joe Lovano plays Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts April 16 | Press Releases

Image: Dave Samuels The Grammy® Award-winning Latin jazz group Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels plays Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Friday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m. Joining the group is guest artist and saxophonist extraordinaire Joe Lovano. The event is another in Fairfield University's Latin American area of focus and it is part of the University's Arts & Minds season.

The original Caribbean Jazz Project (CJP) band of the 1990s, which consisted of vibraphonist and marimba jazz player Samuels, steel pan drummer Andy Narell and saxophonist Paquito d'Rivera immediately captured the imagination of audiences and critics worldwide. The band members have changed since the ensemble started but the group is still under the continued leadership of Samuels. It consistently tests and expands the commonly accepted boundaries of Latin jazz - and jazz in general - via innovative compositions and dynamic arrangements. This exciting approach to musical adventure is one reason why CJP invites Lovano to play as a guest artist.

Grammy® winner saxophonist and composer Lovano has garnered a list of accolades that has proven him to be a unique and talented success. The secret to Lovano's success is his fearless ability to push the conceptual and thematic choices he makes in a quest for new modes of artistic expression and new takes on what defines the jazz idiom.

Over the years, the CJP has recorded eight albums; two have won Grammys and four have been nominated for that honored prize.

Samuels and the CJP have captured raves wherever they go. A few of their reviews follow: "Dave Samuels is regarded as one of the world's leaders in jazz vibes and marimba" - All About Jazz.com " The Band cooks, no question about it and Samuels' Latin-leaning arrangements are smart and steamy ... the quality of musicianship ... is superb ... exhilarating ." All Music Guide "A distinctly refreshing combination of sunny, sensuous and eminently danceable Latin jazz grooves." The Washington Post.

Tickets are $35, $30, $25 and are available at fairfield.edu/quick or by contacting the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010 for more information. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. Special offers and discounts are available through the Quick Center's e-mail list. Join, by contacting boxoffice@quickcenter.com . And become a fan of the Quick Center for the Arts on Facebook! Keep up-to-date with the latest performance news, plus special offers and discounts! Find the Quick Center at www.facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter.