An Evening with Luis Munoz

Ridah Omri and The Yellow House Concerts are proud to present An Evening with Luis Muñoz, Saturday July 30, 2011. Fresh from winning Best Jazz Composer / Author of the Year 2011 (by Association of Musical Authors and Composers), Luis and his band will be playing from his new CD "Invisible" as well as some of his favorites. This will be an evening under the stars that you will long remember.

Luis Muñoz, composer, arranger and percussionist, was born in San José, Costa Rica. Coming from a very musical family, Luis spent his youth performing in Rock and Jazz groups. In 1972 Luis entered the University of Costa Rica and the National Music Conservatory, where he studied both Architecture and Music. In 1974 Luis immigrated to the United States where he completed his degree in music composition at the University of California, Santa Barbara, under the tutelage of renown British composer Peter Fricker. For the last 35 years Luis Muñoz has written music for documentaries, animation films, dance and theater. In addition, Muñoz has worked as a music producer, arranger or percussionist for numerous artists such as Airto Moreira, Etta James, Flora Purím and Jim Messina and has performed in some of the best Jazz festivals and venues in the world.

In 1980, commissioned by the Costa Rican government, Muñoz wrote and recorded "COSTA RICA-COSTA RICA", donating all the proceeds generated by the sales of that recording to the Red Cross in Nicaragua, a nation at the time desperately trying to heal itself from the effects of a devastating civil war. In 1988 he signed with CBS Records and recorded "LA VERDAD". In 1996, Fahrenheit Records "THE FRUIT OF EDEN", co-produced by Dominic Camardella (who has helmed several projects for Charles Lloyd and Maynard Ferguson,), marked Muñoz's U. S. recording debut, an explosive introduction to a talent that had been wowing Latin America for years. In 1998, Muñoz brought listeners a more progressive and exotic expression on his next endeavor, "COMPASSION", continuing to evolve as an innovative force in instrumental music.

In 2004 Muñoz released "VIDA" which received the acclaim of the music media worldwide. Among many accolades, DownBeat magazine gave it 4 stars, it was pronounced "Best Latin Jazz CD of the Year" by Jazzreview.com, "A truly Monumental Work" by Americas Magazine, "A Masterpiece" by world renowned music critic Mark Holston (Hispanic Magazine) and "One of the 10 best recordings of the year" by Latin Jazz Network. In 2006 Mr. Muñoz was given an ACAM award in Costa Rica, for Jazz Composer/Producer of the year.

In 2007 Mr. Muñoz released "Of Soul and Shadow", a collection of 10 compositions that explore his Central American roots through the idioms of Costa Rican folklore, classical music and jazz. "Of Soul and Shadow" features the collaborative efforts of over 25 musicians, including special guests Adolfo Acosta (Tower of Power) on trumpet; percussionist Ramses Araya (Ruben Blades); chromatic harmonica player Ron Kalina; trombone player Ira Nepus (Diana Krall); and New York sensation Dave Binney on alto sax. Once again, Muñoz’s music received the approval of the international press: "This recommended album rocks hard while highlighting the cultural background that makes Latin Jazz the emotional tool that has captured our heart and soul. This one brings out the goose bumps!" (Jim Santella/ LA Jazz Scene). "Delightful release, highly recommended!" (Jazzreview.com). "Latin Jazz at its best!" Four Stars (****)" (EJazznews). "Top Five Latin, Blues and Beyond CDs of 2007" (Jazzhouse.org).

And now, Luis Muñoz returns with his newest project, “Invisble”, feauturing once again David Binney, (winner of both Downbeat Critics’ and Readers’ polls, 2007), on alto sax, Jonathan Dane on trumpet, plus special vocal appearances by the wonderful Guyanan singer Lois Mahalia and by Brazilian sensation Téka. With this new project, Luis Muñoz confirms his place as a music visionary, and as one of the today’s most sensitive, melodic and talented Jazz composers.