What do you get when you mix the syncopated rhythms of jazz with the local Latin folk music of Parang? Well," Jazzang" of course. Jazzang comes to the Woodbrook panyard of Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove on December 27, from 5 to 10 pm. Parang has been a staple of our local music scene and our Christmas Season celebrations since anyone can remember. The music is timeless.
Now, the Jazz Alliance of Trinidad and Tobago (JATT) has given parang a new dimension in sound. Imagine parang accompanied, not just by a cuatro, but with piano, sax and more. The music is smooth, sophisticated, festive and familiar. Artistes in the show include cuatrista Robert Munroe; Mozart of Pan Len "Boogsie" Sharpe; keyboardist Chantal Esdelle; guitarist Theron Shaw; bassist Douglas Redon; saxophonist Jesse Ryan; drummer Sean Thomas; and, the winners of 2009 National Parang Final, Los Alumnos de San Juan. The event also features Armonias Divine and a special guest appearance by 3Canal.
Proceeds from this event will go to JATT's Musical Scholarship Fund, a fund was set up in response to the financial needs of T&T's young musicians studying, or wishing to study, music–both locally and abroad. Part proceeds will be awarded to Ryan, who was recently accepted to Berklee College of Music. JATT head Sean Thomas said: "We at JATT never limit music by labelling it in neat boxes and throwing away the key. We are very adventurous in exploring different musical combinations and, with Jazzang, we have taken parang music to the next level." Admission to this one of a kind event costs $100.