Jazz Series Grammy Winners Grace the Stage

Faena launches its 6th Annual Jazz Series at the Faena Theater with a lineup of seven fantastic shows produced and curated by Grammy-nominated record producer and artist, Rachel Faro.

 ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN FAENA JOURNAL ISSUE #55 • SPRING 2024

The series kicked off on Wednesday, January 17th with one of today’s greatest jazz vocalists, Grammy winner Jazzmeia Horn, and will close on Wednesday, June 19th with Michael Mayo, one of today’s most outstanding young vocal talents. “We aim to bring a mix of established and emerging artists, most of whom go on to sign with major labels, win Grammys, and achieve worldwide acclaim,” said Faro. “We’ve often looked to the winners of the Sarah Vaughn Vocal Jazz Competition: Jazzmeia Horn, Veronica Swift, Gabrielle Cavassa, and most notably Samara Joy, who went on to win Grammys for both Best New Artist and Best Vocal Jazz Album — two weeks after we presented her!

“One of our most notable shows last year was our Valentine’s Day show with the Icelandic/Chinese artist Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, professionally known as Laufey, who has arguably become the biggest jazz star in the world over the last year: her song ‘From the Start’ has received over 222 million Spotify streams!” This delicate singer/songwriter and instrumentalist is bringing jazz to a new audience of young people and her show at the Faena brought in “young fans who would scream at every song as if they were at a Taylor Swift concert,” said Faro.

Coming up on February 28th, the Jazz Series will present emerging artist Nicole Zuraitis, a current Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Vocalist. “She’s an incredibly talented singer, in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald, who expresses so much joy and soulfulness onstage.” Other artists this season include established Cameroonian multi-instrumentalist and Grammy winner Richard Bona (March 13th); Accent, an international group of young men who sing jazz a capella (April 3rd); legendary percussionist Sammy Figueroa featuring Grammy winners Cuban singer Aymée Nuviola and Cuban piano maestro Gonzalo Rubalcaba (April 10th); the Arturo O’Farrill Quintet, paying homage to Arturo’s father, beloved Cuban composer Chico O’Farrill, with guest Cuban rapper Telmary Diaz (May 22nd); and last but not least, Michael Mayo, who most recently recorded and performed with Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, and Jon Batiste, among many others (June 19th).

“We try to bring music that will be both entertaining and pay homage to the great American tradition of jazz. No conceptual or boring jazz here,” Faro says. “Also, a large part of our mission in bringing jazz to South Florida is tied in with music education,” explained Faro. “We’ve often collaborated with UM’s Frost School of Music and with Young Musicians Unite, who bring in budding musicians from Miami Dade public schools to help sell merchandise, assist the artists, and attend the shows. It’s a great experience for them. We’re also very grateful for our collaboration with WDNA, one of the few radio stations in the country that play jazz full-time.”

Faena Theater is also planning to expand its programming this year with additional entertainment offerings. “We’re considering bringing in comedy acts and resident Miami-based Latin musicians,” said Brian Forti, Executive Producer and Director of Creative Entertainment at Faena Theater.

“Both artists and guests love this venue because it’s glamorous, the food and beverage service are outstanding, and the theater is so intimate. There’s not a bad seat in the house.”