Welcome to Connection Works Connection Works is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization formed to engage the Brooklyn community with a cultural center featuring the performance, presentation, development, and education of music and art. Our programs increase awareness and appreciation for various traditional and ³cutting edge² forms of music, all of which contribute to our rich Brooklyn culture. We at Connection Works believe in and support the practice of creativity as a means to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. Connection Works presents: BROOKLYN MUSIC WIDE OPEN An ongoing series of daylong events consisting of music presentations, workshops and performances open to all. The afternoon session will engage young people, families, and aspiring musicians in the experience of making music. The evening concerts will bring together a variety of Brooklyn-based groups to share their diverse musical styles through performance and discussion. SATURDAY, April 12th, 2008 - Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue (at Bond st.);Brooklyn Afternoon session: 2-5pm, 2:00 p.m.: Student Ensembles Perform 3:00 p.m.: Connection Works Ensemble with Michel Gentile, Daniel Kelly, and Rob Garcia. The ensemble engages the audience in an interactive session, discovering rhythm, melody, form, improvisation, and style. Members of the Connection Works Ensemble have performed and/or recorded with such artists as: Michael Brecker, Fred Hersch, Wynton Marsalis, Joseph Jarman, Woody Allen, Lauryn Hill, Ray Barretto, Kurt Rosenwinckle, and Wycliffe Gordon among many others. 4:00 p.m.: Music Workshop/Open Jazz Jam for all, presented by the Connection Works Ensemble. Bring your instruments! Evening session: 7-10:30pm 7:00 p.m.: DANIEL KELLY QUARTET, featuring BRIGANN KRAUSS, DAVE AMBROSIO, and ROB GARCIA. 8:15 p.m.: ADAM KOLKER QUARTET, featuring BILLY HART, JOHN ABERCROMBIE, and JOHN HEBERT. 9:30 p.m.: ROB GARCIA QUINTET, featuring SHANE ENDSLEY, MICHEL GENTILE, NIR FELDER, AND CHRIS LIGHTCAP Our Current Offerings - Music awareness programs for all Workshops for aspiring musicians Live musical performances that include discussions with the audience Outreach programs in schools and underserved communities Our Plan - Continue our Brooklyn Music Wide Open series and working toward holding events more frequently Nurture relationships with schools,community centers, and the Brooklyn community at large. Establish a permanent space. Enhance our offerings with open rehearsals, jam sessions, sing-a-longs, art exhibitions of local artists, dance and dramatic performance. Talks by icons in music and art. Rob Garcia - executive director (contact: rob@robgarcia.com) For over a decade, jazz drummer, Rob Garcia has shared his superb skills, performing and recording with such greats as: Wynton Marsalis, Joseph Jarman, Woody Allen, Howard Alden, Wycliff Gordon, and Chris Potter, among others. His talents as a composer and arranger are evident on his two albums, Place of Resonance and Hearts Fire. Rob has taught drums and piano for over 10 years, has done clinics in the U.S. and Europe and has performed in over one hundred school assemblies. He also taught and helped develop cutting-edge courses which were brought to the NYC public schools. Daniel Kelly - assistant artistic director Award-winning composer and pianist Daniel Kelly has recorded and/or performed with musicians such as saxophonist Michael Brecker, hip-hop star Lauryn Hill, Ray Barretto, David Murray, Bobby Sanabria, William Parker, John Zorn, Grammy-winner Nestor Torres, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Kyaw-Kyaw Naing, and bassist Harvie S. He has recorded two highly acclaimed CDs of his owncompositions, World and Duets with Ghosts. Daniel has also collaborated with storyteller, David Gonzalez, performing in hundreds of schools,theatres, and performing art centers throughout the US, Canada, and London. Michel Gentile - assistant artistic director Flutist, Michel Gentile received his Master of Music degree with distinction from the New England Conservatory of Music. Michel has recorded and performed with Fred Hersch, Dave Kikoski, Bobby Previte, Jane Ira Bloom, Michael Formanek, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Joseph Jarman and many others. Michel has worked extensively withdance, theater, and film and has been featured on national radio and television throughout North America. He has been teaching for 25 years at such places as the New England Conservatory, Wellesley College and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. He takes special pride in his work in the NYC public schools as well as his work with preschoolers with special needs at the Helen Keller School for the Visually Impaired. Our advisory board includes Woody Allen, Joe Lovano, Bill de Blasio, Dan Zanes, Joel Thome, and David Gonzalez. *To make a tax-free charitable donation, you may send a check to: CONNECTION WORKS, INC 521 17th st. Brooklyn, NY 11215 You will receive a thank you letter in return stating the amount donated. or contact us to donate another way. phone - (718)369-6931; email - connectionworksinc@gmail.com Our EIN is : 20-8577877 This website is currently under construction. Please come back soon for more information about Connection Works.