Pianist

Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center is thrilled to announce a special FREE performance a on Sunday, July 13, featuring the first-ever collaboration between renowned artists Elio Villafranca and William Cepeda. This unique event will honor the musical legacy of Charles Neville, saxophonist and founding member of the Neville Brothers, and explore the deep cultural connections between Cuba, Puerto Rico, and New Orleans. The event will begin with an engaging one-hour community discussion, in which Villafranca and Cepeda will share stories, musical demonstrations, and reflections on the African roots of jazz, Latin, and New Orleans music. Following this, they will take the stage for a dynamic live performance, weaving together New Orleans jazz, funk, second-line rhythms, and Afro-Caribbean traditions, including songs tied to Neville’s enduring influence. This special event is presented in collaboration with FirstWorks in Providence, RI (July 11) and Blues to Green in Springfield, MA (July 12), with generous support from a Chamber Music America grant. The tour brings these powerful musical traditions to communities across New England, building cultural bridges and celebrating the shared heritage of the African diaspora.

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Merging Roots: A Jazz Experience with William Cepeda and Elio Villafranca

Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center

The WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series brings world-renowned jazz musicians to concert halls and venues throughout New York and New Jersey. These concerts give young listeners the chance to discover the enjoyment of jazz, improvisation and musical collaboration.

WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series: Elio Villafranca Quartet presents “Standing by the Crossroads"

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop will present the best big band and jazz orchestra compositions produced throughout the year at its 34th Annual Summer Showcase Concert. The evening will feature the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece modern repertory ensemble made up of leading New York musicians, performing eight new compositions developed in the workshop this season. Additionally, the evening will feature a new commission from last year’s prize winner Helen Sung. The event is free and open to the public.

Pianist

Elio Villafranca

Events

Past events

Jul 13, 2025

Merging Roots: A Jazz Experience with William Cepeda and Elio Villafranca · Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center

Nov 18, 2023

WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series: Elio Villafranca Quartet presents “Standing by the Crossroads" · New Jersey Performing Arts Center

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