Few days ago, the Harvard Westlake Jazz Big Band & Combos from Studio City, LA ;, finished their intense week through Spain and Portugal where they performed 7 concerts in front of over 1,400 people and where they played in Malaga, Cordoba, Seville and Puerto de Santa Maria in Andalusia, Spain and the two final concerts in Setubal and Lisbon in Portugal.

I want to thank upfront to James Smith and Maggie Rodriguez from Encore Tours, Samuel Bull the road manager , all the local Spanish jazz musicians, students and friends who attended to all the concerts and helped us to organize such a wonderful tour, and most of all to all the high school-age musicians from Harvard Westlake who brought their music and their talents under the direction of Shawn Constantino.

I cannot forget Pablo Bernardo Caveda, a personal friend and professional photographer who reflected better than a million words through his photos some of the highlight moments of the tour.

The jazz aficionados in Andalusia had the opportunity to enjoy the concerts and the excellent repertoire chosen from the songs of Count Basie, Dizzie Gillespie, Charlie Parker , Joe Henderson among others.
The jazz students from music schools and conservatories , from high school to adults ,were able to learn and jam together with the combos and the big band.

Even that the concert times where not very jazzy, as half of the concerts where celebrated at 5 pm, audiences where there are welcomed with enthusiasm the band members.
Thanks to all who participate on this tour from the craddle to its end. It was a wonderful time!