M. Alex Ramirez feat. Arturo O'Farrill: Recording Release
M. Alex Ramírez presents a recording-release performance that connects Colombian cultural heritage with an expansive, future-facing jazz vocabulary. The Colombian-born saxophonist, composer, and producer is joined by Arturo O’Farrill for an evening focused on Ramírez’s ambitious chordless trio album, *Nebulesque*, which transforms ideas from astronomy and physics—including solar eruptions and black holes—into explorations of space, time, and human emotion. The program is co-presented with the Embassy of Colombia.
Ramírez, who is based in New York City, began studying piano at age four and later found his primary instrument in the saxophone. After studying with Gary Keller at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, he received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where he performed with the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra and shared stages with Terrence Blanchard, Paquito D’Rivera, Bill Frisell, and Gary Burton. He subsequently earned a graduate scholarship to NYU Steinhardt, working alongside Chris Potter and Alex Sipiagin, and received the Barney Josephson Outstanding Graduate Jazz Studies Award as well as third place in the Carinthian International Jazz Award.
In addition to leading his own cosmic, contemporary jazz project, Ramírez collaborates with the Afro-Colombian ensemble Grupo Rebolú, performing on saxophone and guacharaca and contributing backing vocals. His work with the group has included appearances at major cultural institutions and a featured NPR Tiny Desk x globalFEST performance. He also continues to develop his music with mentors and collaborators including Ben Wendel, Melissa Aldana, and Arturo O’Farrill.
When: October 5
Showtimes: 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM
Tickets: $25, plus a $7 fee
Venue: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Lineup: M. Alex Ramírez, featuring Arturo O’Farrill
Program: Recording-release performance associated with Ramírez’s album *Nebulesque*
Co-presenter: Embassy of Colombia
Doors: Doors open at 6:00 PM for the 7:00 PM show and at 8:45 PM for the 9:30 PM show.
Seating: Seating is first come, first served at the door.
Food and beverage minimum: A $15 food and beverage minimum applies per person and is not included in the ticket price.
Policies: Tickets are final sale, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Photography and recording are prohibited during the performance, and guests are asked to keep conversation to a minimum.
Ages: Not specified.