Grammy-Nominated Pianist, Composer and Educator Sergio Pamies Joins CCM’s Jazz Faculty

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Stanley E. Romanstein has announced the addition of Sergio Pamies, DMA, to the college’s roster of distinguished performing and media arts faculty members. An accomplished pianist, composer and educator, Pamies’ appointment as Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano begins on Aug. 15, 2020.

Born in 1983 in Granada, Spain, Pamies has published four albums under his name: EntreAmigos (PSM, 2008), Borrachito (Bebyne Records, 2011), What Brought You Here? (Bebyne Records, 2017) and Summer Night at La Corrala: Solo Piano(expected October 2020). Critics have acknowledged his talent for composition, the lyrical qualities of his playing, and his natural and spontaneous ability to fuse the traditional jazz language and flamenco music of his childhood.

Pamies has performed at festivals in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Colombia, Perú, China, Spain and the United States. He has collaborated with outstanding artists such as Dave Liebman, Christian Scott, Rubem Dantas, Antonio Serrano, Diego Amador, Pepe Luis Carmona “Habichuela,” Quamon Fowler, Brad Leali, Quincy Davis, Stockton Helbing, Ashleigh Smith, Samuel Torres, Tatiana Mayfield, Michael Miskiewicz and Joan Albert Amargós. Besides leading his own projects, he has produced other artists such as Verso Suelto (Verso Suelto, Youkali Music 2016), Korean singer Roja (My Shining Hour, Mirrorball Music, 2013) and The Zebras (Flamenco Jazz Project, North Texas Jazz, 2011).

Previously, Pamies taught jazz piano, jazz arranging and composition, in addition to leading the small group program, at University of Texas in Arlington. Pamies has given master classes and presented his research at Universidad de Granada (Spain), University of North Texas, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Texas at Arlington (USA), East Shanghai Normal University, Contemporary Music Institute of Zhuhai (China), Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, Universidad Industrial de Santander and Universidad EAFIT de Medellín (Colombia), among other institutions. Pamies is a frequent collaborator of the European Piano Teachers Association’s Piano Professional journal, and a reviewer for the scholarly journal Jazz Education in Research and Practice.

Pamies received his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Piano (Liceo Conservatory in Barcelona, 2007), and then moved to the United States to study with Stefan Karlsson and complete a master’s degree in Jazz Piano at the University of North Texas (UNT), where he was awarded “Outstanding Student” in 2011. Pamies finished his doctoral studies (DMA in Jazz Piano) in 2016. He was the pianist of the seven-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band at UNT, where he had the opportunity to perform with guest artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Arturo Sandoval, Marvin Stamm, Wycliffe Gordon, Doc Severinsen and Chuck Findley. As a member of the One O’Clock rhythm section, he has accompanied artists such as Christian McBride, Peter Bernstein, Lewis Nash, Tim Hagans and Greg Osby, among others. He is the featured soloist on Rich DeRosa’s composition “Neil,” which received a Grammy nomination in 2016 for “Best Instrumental Composition.”

In 2015, Pamies was selected for the “Latin Jazz Traditions” concert organized by Carnegie Hall, performing there with Paquito D’Rivera, having his composition “Dudú” selected for the program. In 2014, Pamies was awarded with the “Best Representation of Granada in a Foreign Country” youth cultural award by the Youth Institute of Andalucía, Spain. He has received seven DownBeat student awards: Best Instrumental Soloist (2013), Best Large Ensemble (2014) and Best Latin Group (2012) among them.

“CCM is home to one of the country’s top-rated jazz programs, and Sergio’s expertise as a pianist, composer and educator makes him an ideal addition to our world-class faculty. He is a wonderful successor to our dear colleague Stephen Allee, who retired earlier this year.” said Romanstein. “I want to recognize the excellent work of our search committee chaired by Scott Belck, which included Craig Bailey, Rusty Burge, Aaron Jacobs and BettyAnne Gottlieb.”

About CCM Jazz Studies

Offering both bachelor and master of music degrees, the Jazz Studies program at CCM teaches the fundamentals of classical music, stylistic elements of each historical jazz period, strategies for enhancing originality, techniques of electronic media and today’s cutting-edge trends that defy categorization. In 2019, CCM’s Department of Jazz Studies was named the inaugural college affiliate of the acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center, a distinction reserved for the country’s top-ranked jazz programs.

By receiving a wide musical perspective and the command of a broad jazz language, students in CCM’s jazz programs are equipped to pursue a future in jazz music. At the same time, this thorough course of study serves as the best preparation for related careers in commercial music.

Learn more by visiting ccm.uc.edu and sign up for our new email newsletter at ccm.uc.edu/subscribe

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Featured image at top: New CCM Jazz Studies faculty member Sergio Pamies.

CCM Prep Announces Continuation of its New Horizons Orchestra Program

We are thrilled to announce the continuation of the CCM Preparatory Department‘s (CCM Prep) popular New Horizon Orchestra, an innovative program for beginning musicians over the age of 50 who want to learn to play a musical instrument. No previous musical experience is required, so it is truly “never too late!”

Come to CCM Prep’s “Play Days” this month to learn more about the New Horizons Orchestra and for the opportunity to try out various string instruments under the guidance of CCM educators and other local string professionals. Instrument purchase and rental information will also be available at each of these meetings. Those who would like to know more, but are unable to attend one of the informational meetings, may contact the CCM Prep Office at 513-556-2595.

Information Sessions – “Play Days”

• 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 9 at UC Blue Ash, Muntz Hall Commons
• 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 16 at UC Blue Ash, Muntz Hall Commons

CCM Welcomes Cellist, Composer and Educator Mike Block for Master Classes and More Next Week

CCM welcomes Mike Block for two days of learning and creative music-making on April 8 and 9, 2014. Photography by Maria Camillo.

CCM welcomes pioneering multi-style cellist, composer and music educator Mike Block for two days of learning and creative music-making on April 8 and 9.

Hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as the “ideal musician of the 21^st century,” Block studied at the Juilliard School where he joined Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and soon after Mark O’Connor’s Appalachia Waltz Trio, which he played in for over three years.

Block will give a workshop geared toward teaching creativity to string students from 7 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. High school and collegiate students are also welcome to attend this session.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, Block will host master classes and workshops, which will run through 6 p.m. A concert and reception will follow from 7:30 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

All events at CCM are free and open to the public and take place in room 300 of the Dieterle Vocal Arts Center in CCM Village, unless otherwise noted.

Area teachers and students are encouraged to sign up for any and all events by emailing Professor BettyAnne Gottlieb at bettyanne.gottlieb@uc.edu. 

CCM’s Preparatory Department Launches ‘New Horizons Orchestra’ Program for Adults

The Preparatory Department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM Prep) is delighted to announce the launch of the New Horizons Orchestra, an innovative program for beginning musicians over the age of 50 who want to learn to play a musical instrument. No previous musical experience is required, and it truly is “never too late” to learn!

CCM Prep will host a series of informational “play days” in November, giving prospective new students the chance to learn more about the New Horizons Orchestra and to try out various string instruments under the guidance of CCM educators and other local string professionals. Instrument purchase and rental information will also be available at each meeting. Those who would like to know more, but are unable to attend one of the informational meetings, may contact CCM Prep at 513-556-2595.

Information “Play Day” Sessions

• 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at UC Blue Ash (OLLI Brown Bag Lunch Class)
• 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Sycamore Senior Center
• 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Mayerson JCC
• 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. James Episcopal Church in Westwood

Starting Jan. 15, 2014, CCM Prep will hold its first New Horizons Orchestra lessons and rehearsal. Lessons and rehearsals will be held on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Tangeman University Center (TUC), which is located next to CCM with easy access from the CCM garage. The cost of the program will be $125, not including instrument rental. BettyAnne Gottlieb, Assistant Professor of Music Education (Strings) at CCM, will serve as the New Horizons Orchestra’s conductor assisted by area string teachers and CCM music students. Complete information including cost and registration information is available at ccm.uc.edu/prep.