The Center for the Visual & Performing Arts presents Latin Jazz for Lovers on Sunday, Feb 13, 2011 at 7pm in Alhambra at Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church. Well known  Saxophonist/Bandleader Murray Middleman has assembled a star line up of talent for this Valentine’s Weekend concert including

Cuban virtuoso-pianist/composer Gustavo Ramirez ,New York bassist  Eddie Resto, and sensational Drummer Emilio Valdes, son of the world famous pianist Chucho Valdes of Havana Cuba.

Pianist Gustavo Ramirez Oma studied music at the International school of Music in Havana, Cuba. The harmonic influences of Emiliano Salvador and Gonzalo Rubacalva are revealed in his adventurous original material, also packed with intriguing angular melodies and improvi-sations. The music is driven by brilliant jazz-fusion lines, coupled with strong funk-rock and Afro-Cuban influences. 

Eddie Resto, grew up playing with New York Latin-jazz greats Tito Puente and Michito. Eddie is one of the hottest bassists ,on the planet. He is near completion of his Masters Degree in Music, at Cal Sate University, Los Angeles, while keeping busy recording and performing.

Emilio Valdes, is the son of Cuban national music treasure Chucho Valdes. Emilio's driving beat has provided the musical fuel to drive  New York's Chico O Farrill Orchestra before he recently relocated to Los Angeles recently. 

Murray Middleman, is director and bandleader of  Park Avenue West Entertainment, which performs for social events in Los Angeles He has performed with Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Al Grey, the Stars of the Count Basie Orchestra, John Lennon, and the fabulous Sammy Davis Jr  

At the age of nine, Murray was playing a few tunes on his clarinet with his Dad's dance band. After a while, he developed an ear for Jazz.and learned  the melodies of George Gershwin and Cole Porter. After recieving a C-melody,at 12, Murray started listening to a recording of the great tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. Ever since that day, these masters have inspired Murray to perform with passion, logic and most of all "heart ". In 1999 ,Murray' produced a tribute to these outstanding Jazz greats. The CD is entitled "With Love to the Legends ", and feature many of L.A.'s most accomplished musicians and arrangers .In 2009 Murray performed with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, on a nine city tour of Mexico, and performed throughout Columbia Panama, Costa Rica Aruba and Curacao.