The Curtis Brothers Quartet
Starting in 2001 The Curtis Brothers Quartet have been gaining recognition throughout the Jazz and Lain-Jazz world alike.
Starting from a young age the Curtis brothers have been sharpening their skills under the direction of great musicians such as Andy Gonzalez, Hilton Ruiz, Ed Fast, Joe Valez and a plethora of records and CDs. They were able to incorporate the elements of clave in their music. Incorporating the music from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Brazil with what they were learning in Jazz.
After a few years of classical studies, jazz became their focus. The Curtis Brothers studied at the the Prestigious school for developing artists, “The Artist Collective,” created by the great Jackie McLean. They have been blessed to be apart of so many music programs in the Hartford area such as, The Hartford Academy of the Arts, The Litchfield Jazz Camp, Hartford Conservatory, and Guakia.
The basement of the Mr. Curtis house was ground zero for these young musicians. It was a 24 hr music space that once held the entire record collection of the great bass player, Andy Gonzalez. This is where they rehearsed as a band weekly and could be totally creative. Ed Fast, Freddie Moreno, Jorge Fuentes, Abu Carter, Tony Gonzalez, and Mario Calderon all participated in the growth of young musicians in the Curtis basement.
Rehearsals every Saturday, frequent trips to the Jazz Mobile in NYC, a jam session here, a theory class there. For the Curtis kids, lessons and rehearsals were almost every day. Music was your life! This consistency is what made the Curtis Brothers who they are today.
The oldest Curtis Brother (Damian Curtis) was the first to break off and pursue a higher education at the University of Hartford. Soon the younger two did the same but continued their studies in Boston. Luques attended Berklee Collage of Music while Zaccai attended New England Conservatory. This allowed for the two younger brothers to build a new band with new talent in a new scene.
Boston was where “Insight” was formed combining musicians from New England Conservatory and Berklee collage of music. The group performed at local clubs and bars and eventually made it to New York where they recorded their debut CD “A Genesis.” The 7 -piece band started to perform all over the US including tours on the west coast and club dates in NYC including The Jazz Gallery and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola.
Their repertoire consists of music by the great Noro Morales to the great Dizzy Gillespie. They no know stylistic bounds and have been bridging the gap and blending the lines between Jazz and Latin Jazz. Their interpretations of such songs as “Bouncing With Bud,” “Inner Urge” and Maria Cervantes,” have brought them much recognition for mixing authenticity with creativity. Something hard to do without ruining a master piece composition.
From 2005 “Insight” and The “Curtis Brothers Quartet” have performed all around the world and the in venues or festivals across the U.S. and abroad! Some of the places they have recently performed at are as follows: The Somerville Jazz Festival – NJ, Jazz Vespers Series – NYC, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum – CT, Pork Pie Hat Jazz Festival – CT, The Jazz Gallery – NYC, San Fransisco Summer Festival – CA, Litchfield Jazz Festival – CT, The Painted Bride – PA, Kuumbwa Jazz Center – CA, Le Poisson Rouge -NYC, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola and NYC Winterfest Concert Series. They have also travelled to Cuba twice as a group, once in 1999 and again in 2001. The Curtis Brothers Quartet is proud to note that they have been hand picked by Ray Barretto and Hilton Ruiz, in 2005, to be involved in U.S. state department’s “American Music Abroad (Jazz Ambassadors) program.” Through that program they have travelled to India performing in cities such as Calcutta, Bangalore and Mumbai as well as the countries, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Individually, the members of the Curtis Brothers have been sidemen and touring the world for some time with the greatest musicians alive such as Herbie Hancock, Eddie Palmieri, Chick Corea, Jimmy Greene, David Valentin, Kenny Werner, Miguel Zenon, Dispatch, Cindy Blackman Ralph Peterson, Brian Lynch, Gary Burton, Ralph Irizzary and Donald Harrison.
Their 1st CD “A Genesis,” was reviewed and chosen in All About Jazz NYC as one of the best releases of 2009. Their latest CD, “Blood•Spirit•Land•Water•Freedom” has received a 4 star review in 2010 and has been picked as one of the best Latin Jazz releases of the year by some of the most popular blogs and websites. Curtis Brothers Quartet’s new CD was nominated for Best Latin Jazz CD of 2009 on Chipboaz.com and Nominated for Best Jazz album for the Independent 2009 Music Awards. The Curtis Brothers have been featured on Eric in the Evening on WBGH and on WBGO in Newark with Shiela Anderson among other great radio stations across the country.
The Curtis Brothers are currently working on their 3rd CD as leaders, “Completion of Proof.” This CD will feature notable artists such as Ralph Peterson, Donald Harrison, Brian Lynch and many others. All of their CDs are available on their website, “CurtisBrothersMusic.com
The Curtis Brothers Band performs regularly at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in the East Village and B. Smith’s Restaurant in Manhattan, where they continue to sharpen their skills and build a powerful following.
