Berklee Jazz Drums

Henrique De Almeida holds a Masters Degree in Music Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. He is a graduate of The Berklee College of Music in Jazz Composition. Henrique is the owner and music director for the Percussion Institute of Colorado (PIC.) He is the leader of his own group, The Brazilian Jazz Project. He is a Yamaha Drums, LP Percussion, Vic Firth Sticks, Paiste Cymbals, HQ Pads, and Evans drumheads Artist. A published author, and producer, he has educational materials available on Carl Fischer Publishing.

The acronym that gives name to the PLS. trio is from the very gifted young Italian pianist/composer Pier Luigi Salami. Together with his American rhythm section, consisting of bassist Martin Fowler and drummer Shawn Crowder, the New York based trio have released an enormously winning debut with East River…

With this recording, Joshua Redman attempts a long-form composition for the first time, a series of eight numbers that form a cycle of sorts. The promotional buzz claimed that Redman was taking stock of his music ten years after winning the Thelonious Monk competition, the event that had the effect of launching him full-blown into the big time. Whether or not that's true, there is a predominantly reflective, thoughtful tone about this quartet session, split between written-out passages and flat-out improvisations.

Chick Corea's greatest trio or small ensemble very likely is this one, with bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Roy Haynes.Their virtuoso level of musicianship and acute listening skills are translated into stellar recordings over two nights of performances in Willisau and Reutlinger, edited and condensed on this single CD. Where any outtakes are hiding might provide a further revelation, but as it stands, this release is a high-water mark for these brilliant musicians. Corea's strengths lie not only in his witty, effervescent playing, but in his compositions that showcase his mischievous personality.

Pianist/composer and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow Helen Sung celebrates the work of influential women composers on her latest album Quartet+, crafting new arrangements of tunes by Geri Allen, Carla Bley, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland and Toshiko Akiyoshi while carrying the tradition forward with her own stunning new works. Co-produced by violin master Regina Carter, the album pairs Sung’s quartet with the strings of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Harlem Quartet in an inventive meld of jazz and classical influences.

Pianist/composer and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow Helen Sung celebrates the work of influential women composers on her latest album Quartet+, crafting new arrangements of tunes by Geri Allen, Carla Bley, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland and Toshiko Akiyoshi while carrying the tradition forward with her own stunning new works. Co-produced by violin master Regina Carter, the album pairs Sung’s quartet with the strings of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Harlem Quartet in an inventive meld of jazz and classical influences.

"On the Other Hand" finds pianist Michel Camilo straying from his normal piano trio format to command a larger ensemble with horns and percussion. This expansion is continued further with the addition of a guest vocalist on one track ("Forbidden Fruit"). His stunning piano chops, however, are in fine form as usual, as are his masterful composing and arranging skills. With this release, his fifth as a leader, Camilo is in his prime.