Saturday, January 6 in the Gleason Room Backstage at the Fillmore, 7 PM – Power Access, Inc. presents the South Beach Jazz Festival, tonight starring Ignacio Berroa, recognized as one of the greatest drummers of our times. As an author and a renowned educator Ignacio made his mark with the instructional video: Mastering the Art of Afro–Cuban Drumming as well as the books: Groovin’ in Clave and A New Way of Groovin’. He also conducts clinics and master classes around the world. He will present this project, “Afro-Cuban Jazz & Beyond,” from 7 to 8 PM

From 8 to 9:30 PM he and his trio will perform “Straight Ahead from Havana,” his most recent CD release. Ignacio was honored to be included in the 2011 Mp3 compilation entitled “Jazz Drumming Legends,” which features some of the most renowned drummers in Jazz history. In New York City he was introduced to Dizzy Gillespie, who invited Ignacio to join his quartet. Subsequently, Ignacio took part of all the important bands Gillespie assembled during that decade such as: The Dizzy Gillespie 70th Anniversary Big Band, The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars Big Band and the Grammy Award winner, United Nation Orchestra. This relation lasted until Dizzy’s death. Gillespie best defined Ignacio as: “… the only Latin drummer in the world in the history of American music that intimately knows both worlds: his native Afro Cuban music as well as Jazz…” At once a veteran and a pioneer, he has been applauded through the years for his facility in combining folkloric rhythms with contemporary jazz and funk.

Besides Dizzy, Ignacio has recorded and played with musicians of the stature of: McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry, Lou Donaldson, Jackie McLean, Jimmy Heath, to name a few. Ignacio has recorded three albums as a leader. “Codes” (nominated for a Grammy in 2007 and won a Danish Music Award in 2007 as best International Jazz Album.) “Heritage and Passion”, released in 2014. Featured tonight with Ignacio are Martin Bejerano on piano and Josh Allen on bass.

The Fillmore is located at 1700 Washington Avemue in South Beach. Tickets are $28 at https://concerts1.livenation.com/event/0D005367F578B40F?f_PPL=true&ab=efeat5787v1. For more info call the Fillmore at 305-673-7300 or visit sobejazz.com. Power Access, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to exhibit the ability of people with disabilities. The South Beach Jazz Festival is produced by KCC Productions.