Pzazz: An Afternoon of Poetry & Jazz

"Pzazz" Brings Latin Rhythms & Voices to Old Town

             “Pzazz, an afternoon of jazz & music” will highlight the rich history and heritage of Latin music and culture on Sun., Nov. 1, 4-6PM, at UrbanBeat, 1213 Turner St. in Old Town Lansing. Vocalist, guitarist, and director of Orquesta Ritmo, Mike Eyia, will be joined by percussionist Angel Hernandez, bassist Terrence Newman, and poets Tari Muniz and Cruz Villarreal.

             Born in Havana, Cuba, Michael (Mike) Eyia started classical guitar lessons at age 10 under the tutelage of world-renowned Cuban guitarist and composer Dr. Leo Brower. After leaving Cuba due to the unstable political climate, he settled in Lansing, and, in the late 70s, founded the band Orquesta Ritmo because he wanted to bring the electrifying genre of Latin music to the American public. The band has performed for national and international acts, including such artists as Salsa great Oscar D’Leon, recording artists Los Lobos, The Bangles, Pete Escovído, and Wycliffe Gordon at the E. Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival. The Michigan Legislature has honored the band with a Special Tribute for promoting Cuban culture in Michigan.

             Angel Hernandez is a percussionist specializing in Afro-Cuban music. He is currently pursuing his DMA in Percussion Performance at Michigan State University. He strives to be a well-rounded musician and prides himself on having multiple experiences in different parts of the musical space, from playing in salsa groups to symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Tari Muñiz is a Lesbian Latina Disabled poet, performer, and producer. She is a founding member of Two Broads and a Butch productions and Voices of the Revolution, a feminist spoken word collective. Her poetry and essays cover the span of topics from gardening to radical justice. Tari’s debut book of poetry is Pull Up A Chair.  Her work has been published in Voices of the Revolution – Poems from the Resisterhood.

             Bassist Terrence Newman has taught at the Flint School of Performing Arts since 2003. A former student of the Julliard School of Music in New York City, he is experienced in jazz, salsa, classical and popular music. His professional engagements include concerts, clubs, and festivals such as Detroit/Montreux Jazz Festival, New York and Greenwich Village Jazz Festivals, Kassel Jazz Festival, Germany and the Blue Note, New York City.  He has toured Europe with Shanghai Blue and the Schlicht/Romano Group, recorded for off-off Broadway productions and served as a musical production director and leader.  Terry is performing currently with Orquesta Ritmo.

             Cruz Villarreal is a spoken word poet, storyteller, and craftsman whose work touches everyday life and family roots. Cruz treats poetry as a multi-sensory experience. Pairing the rhythm and clarity of spoken performance with visual design, audio, and digital flipbooks, he creates a space where audiences can hear the voice behind the words as the story unfolds.

 Lois Mummaw, the past president and a founding member of the Jazz Alliance of Mid- Michigan, will host the event, along with Ruelaine Stokes, Lansing Poet Laureate Emerita.

 Pzazz is underwritten by Gregg Hill and Cold Plunge Records, with support from Terry Terry and UrbanBeat.

 For more information, contact: Lois Mummaw, 517-242-1126, or [email protected]

or Ruelaine Stokes, 517-881-7562, or [email protected]          

Tickets: $10 General Admission. $5 Students
Doors open at 3. Show starts at 4. 

Dinner and drink menus are available.