The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and the University of Miami's Frost School of Music are proud to announce the thrilling six-concert lineup for the JAZZ ROOTS 2016-2017 season as well as the appointment of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Dean SHELLY BERG as Artistic Advisor for the groundbreaking series. A world-renowned musician, composer and educator, Berg has been involved as a collaborator on JAZZ ROOTS since its inception. The Arsht Center invited Berg to expand his role to include assisting with creative direction for the series following the passing in 2015 of JAZZ ROOTS co-founder and co-creator Larry Rosen, with whom Berg also collaborated for many years.
The ninth season of JAZZ ROOTS will launch befittingly with an all-star tribute to series co-founder Larry Rosen, commissioned especially for the 10th Anniversary of the Arsht Center. The extraordinary season will continue with five musically diverse concerts each starring some of the most celebrated headliners in the music industry today.
"It is hard to imagine JAZZ ROOTS without Larry Rosen. Together we realized a vision that has become one of the most celebrated jazz series in the world. In passing the torch to Dean Berg, the 2016-2017 season promises to reach the high standards of musicality and diversity that has become the mainstay of the concert and educational series that has established the Arsht Center as one of the most recognized concert halls in the world for jazz. Shelly has long been part of our JAZZ ROOTS family and we are excited to welcome him as our new artistic advisor,” said John Richard, president and CEO of the Arsht Center.
"Larry and I shared so many visions over our many years of friendship and working together, most notably our love of jazz, educating young people about jazz and creating an awareness among the masses about the roots of America's true art form. While I am so saddened he is no longer with us both personally and professionally, I am honored the Arsht Center has entrusted me to take the helm of the extraordinary program he set forth. I look forward to paying tribute to Larry in our opening concert and presenting all the exciting shows we have scheduled this upcoming season,” said Dean Shelly Berg, JAZZ ROOTS artistic advisor.
Among Dean Berg’s numerous outstanding achievements: he is a four-time GRAMMY nominee and was named one of the “educators of the millennium” by the Los Angeles Times. Berg has recorded and performed with diverse artists, including Gloria Estefan, Renee Fleming, KISS, Chicago, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, etc. He composed a piece for the Dali Lama's World Festival of Sacred Music in Los Angeles, in addition to composing for top network television series and major studio films.
For a complete list of concerts: JAZZ ROOTS 2016-17 - Adrienne Arsht Center
