Skip to content

FSU Music in the News

Jazz I Premieres A Dominican Suite

FSU Jazz Ensemble I Premieres Dominican Suite by Corey Allen, Featuring Grammy-Winning Flutist Nestor Torres

On October 17 at Opperman Music Hall, Florida State University’s College of Music will host a special performance featuring the talents of composer and pianist Corey Allen alongside Latin Grammy award-winning jazz flutist Nestor Torres. This exciting event, Latin Music with Jazz Ensemble I, marks the premiere of Allen’s Dominican Suite, a vibrant fusion of Dominican folk elements and jazz, brought to life by FSU’s top jazz ensemble.

Corey Allen, who currently serves as the Academic Director at the Escuela Internacional de Música Contemporánea at the National University, Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU) in the Dominican Republic, is also known for his work with world-renowned jazz vocal group The Manhattan Transfer. His music, deeply influenced by Latin culture, blends traditional Dominican rhythms with the harmonic complexities of jazz. The Dominican Suite offers a broad sonic palette, with intricate solo melodies and dynamic ensemble interplay.

Nestor Torres, a celebrated jazz flutist, has collaborated with a diverse array of artists such as Gloria Estefan, Kenny Loggins, Dave Matthews, and Herbie Hancock. His virtuosic style and passion for Latin music make him the perfect complement to Allen’s composition.

“This FSU premiere of the Dominican Suite composed by Corey Allen and featuring guest jazz flutist Nestor Torres fuses Dominican folk style with engaging rhythms and virtuosic flute playing,” says Dr. Greg Jones, Associate Dean of Engagement at the College of Music. “It also showcases our top college jazz ensemble as it explores a wide array of soundscapes with solo and group melodies. Mr. Allen’s composition calls upon his decades of writing experience for groups like The Manhattan Transfer, injecting Latin flair into the jazz landscape.”

In a university setting, the significance of events like this goes beyond entertainment. They serve as educational touchstones, offering students and audiences alike the opportunity to explore and understand diverse musical traditions from around the world. The collaboration between Allen and Torres emphasizes the importance of spreading music globally and underscores how essential it is for musicians and students to engage with and learn from different cultural styles.

FSU’s commitment to showcasing world-class talent and promoting the global language of music enriches both the academic community and the broader public, continuing the tradition of musical excellence at the College of Music.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience an unforgettable evening of Latin jazz and innovative compositions! The concert takes place on October 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Opperman Music Hall.


Recent News

View All News