Who Is Roberto Miranda?
The Maestro Behind the Music
He was born in New York city to Puerto Rican parents.
His father, Louis, was a singer, percussionist, electrician and was also his first music teacher.
His mother, Mary, was a homemaker, secretary and later a nurse.
One of Roberto’s fondest memories is watching his parents dance; they were quite an attractive couple.
The family moved to Los Angeles in the mid 50’s.
Louis Sr. taught Louis Jr.(Roberto’s older brother) and Roberto traditional Puerto Rican percussion.
Louis Jr. still plays drum set and bongos. Although Roberto’s main instrument is upright bass, his first instrument was congas, which he still plays and teaches.
Roberto went on to earn a master’s degree in music from USC with an emphasis was jazz studies.
He also did Private studies on upright bass with Ray Brown, Red Mitchell, Bob Stone, Peter Mercurio, Bill Rene, Dennis Trembly, Fred Tinsley and Diana Gannett.
His main composition teacher was George Heussenstamm.
Roberto has received two composition grants from the National endowment for the Arts. (1976, 1983).The earlier work was performed by the Compton Symphony Orchestra and the later work was his Master’s recital at USC with the Home Music Ensemble which he led.
Roberto has recorded close to 100 LPs and CDs, five have been under his own name.
Over the years he has led many different groups consisting of different instrumental variations.
His professional mentors, in whose bands he played, have been; Bobby Bradford, John Carter, Horace Tapscott and Kenny Burrell.
He has toured Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. with his mentors, fellow musicians and his own groups
He has taught at Compton Community College (5 Years), USC (5Years) and is still teaching at UCLA (23Years).
He has also taught privately for more than 35 years.
Roberto has been a member of PAPA (the Pan-Arian Peoples Arkestra and UGMAA, Union of God’s Musicians and Artists Ascension), for over 50 years.
He is a husband, father and grandfather.
History
Education, Professional Experiences, and more...
Most Recent Works:
2020 PBS KCET Arts Special 'Passing On The Magic'
2020 PBS KCET Arts Special N.Y.E.L.A
Education:
Professional Clear Ryan Music Supplemental Credential Bilingual/CLAD Credential
K-12 Teaching Credential, State of California
Master of Music: University of Southern California (USC) -1986
Special studies and postgraduate work in composition, string bass and jazz studies
Bachelor of Arts: California State University, Dominquez Hills -1979
Professional Experience:
2018-Pres. University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) – Adjunct Professor III , Global Jazz Studies
1996-2018 UCLA - Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Ethnomusicology/ Jazz Studies Program (Kenny Burrell, Department Director)
2002-2016 Millikan Middle School - Music Teacher
2001-2002 MIND Institute - Music Teacher, Oak St. Elementary School
2000-2002 Music Center, Education Division - Teaching Artist
1992-2000 Los Angeles Unified School District - Elementary School Teacher
1963-Pres. Miguel Music Company - President, musician, recording artist, and instructor
1988-1992 USC Department of Jazz Studies - Co-founder and music director of Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble (ALAJE). Other co-founder was Dr.Thom Mason, Chair Department of Jazz Studies
1986-1991 University of Southern California - Lecturer for the School of Music, Department of Jazz Studies
1984-1986 University of Southern California - Teaching Assistant for the School of Music, Department of Jazz Studies
Awards & Recognitions:
World Stage Performance Gallery, Living Their Lives As Jazz People: Interview Dec 2007
Radio interview appearances with KPFK and KCRW in Los Angeles and KPFA in Berkeley
2005 IAJE 32nd International Conference, Long Beach, California - Certificate of Appreciation
2004 City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation 1999 - Larry Gales 4th Annual Music Achievement Award
1985 Honored by University of Southern California, School of Music Department of Jazz Studies) - Recognition of Professional Services
1984 Recipient of National Endowment for the Arts, Fellowship Grant
1976 Recipient of National Endowment for the Arts/Jazz/Folk/Ethnic composition grant
Other Professional Activities:
Commission for Jazz Opera and Performance Art for George Herms/Collage Artist Phantom Gallery August 13-14, 17-18 2007
Commission to Conduct a String Bass Jazz Workshop at the Watts Music Festival September 28, 2008
Sponsored by The Pasadena Orchestras performance-lecture:
February 27, 2008: Roberto Miranda/Justo Almario and CrossCover
June 22, 2008 Roberto Miranda/Danilo Lozano and CrossCover
Mount Hood Oregon Festival - Jazz Workshop Faculty Member - 1988
Performance Highlights:
Individual concert appearances with Gloria Lynne, Bobby Bradford, Julius Hemphill, John Carter, Horace Tapscott, Tim Berne, Vinny Golia, Charles Lloyd, Milcho Leviev, David Murray, Oliver Lake, Michael Garson, Cecil Taylor and Arsenio Rodriguez.
Tour and festival performances with Charles Lloyd (East Coast and Canada), Bobby Hutcherson (Canada)Daniel Valdez (Southwest U.S.), Vinny Golia, Horace Tapscott, Arthur Blythe(Europe) and Thom Mason (lsrael).Bobby Bradford and John Carter (Padua, Italy Jazz Festival & Kool Jazz Festival), and James Newton (Kool Jazz and Playboy Jazz Festival).
Orchestral performances with Carson Symphony Orchestra, Dominquez Hills Chamber Music Ensemble, Compton Symphony, Westside Symphony.
Specific Appearances include:
Mimi Melnick's Jazz Salon Series:
January 6, 2008 with Ghasem Batamuntu
May 4, 2008 with Sunship Theus
June 29, 2008 with The Trible-Daaood Project
August 24th, 2008 with Jesse Sharps
January 22, 2006 Roberto Miranda's CrossCover with special guest, Justo Almario
LACMA with the PanAfrican Peoples Arkestra, April 18, 2008
Red Cat Theater/Los Angeles with Dwight Trible/Kamau Daaooud Ensemble, Jan.18 2008
Watts Jazz Festival with Nedra Wheeler Bass Choir, September 28, 2008
Painted Sky Studio, Cambria, CA, Solo Bass Performance, October 18, 2008
Monterey Jazz Festival Performances: 2007, 1988 (with John Carter Octet)
World Stage Jazz Festival, Leimert Park with The Contra Bass Quintet, August 13, 2006
World Premiere: Composer Jeannie B. Wells Concert of Sacred Music, CSUN March 24, 2007
Bobby Bradford and the Mo'tet
Appearances:
Monthly performances at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, California 2007-2008
Twice yearly at LACMA 2004-2008
Armand Hammer Museum, August 16, 2007
Kenny Burrell Quartet/Quintet Appearances:
Catalina Bar and Grill, 2008, 2006, & appearing twice yearly from 2000-2005
Yoshi's in San Francisco, September 6-9, 2007; August 14-17, 2008
Stanford University July 12, 2008
Royce Hall/UCLA 2006
Yoshi's East in New York 2006; 2005; 2004
University of Kansas with Jubilant Sykes 2005
Orange County Performing Arts Center with Carmen Bradford Quartet, Kenny Burrell and Stanley Jordan Quartet – 2000
Jazz Bakery with David Murray Trio – 2000
Artist-in-Residence, University of lowa Dept of Jazz Studies (2 weeks): European tour with Horace Tapscott – 1998
Artist-in-Residence University of Iowa Dept. of Jazz Studies (2 weeks) – 1997
Both residencies were at the invitation of John Rapson, Department Chair, Jazz Studies
Lincoln Center: Australian Tour with Horace Tapscott - 1996
Vancouver Jazz Festival with Bobby Bradford - 1992
Village Vanguard with Horace Tapscott – 1992, 1991
Premier performance of Roberto Miranda and ALAJE (Afro-Latin-American-Jazz Ensemble) at Catalina Bar & Grill – 1992
European tour with Horace Tapscott - 1991
Helsinki, Finland Jazz Festival: Horace Tapscott Trio & Don Preston Trio - 1991
Pori, Finland Jazz Festival: John Carter Octet Quartet & Bobby Bradford Quintet - 1989
Roberto Miranda Sextet tour of Europe - 1988
CDs, DVDs, Albums and Documentaries:
Matt Ritvo “Turn the Mic On” Documentary of Rehearsals and Recording Session with jazz musicians 2011
Kenny Burrell/75th Birthday Bash Live, July 31, 2006
Roberto Miranda composition "Faith" recorded by Horace Tapscott Quartet for Hat Hut Records – 1989
Albums/CDs Recorded Under Own Name
2002 Roberto Miranda Ensemble, With Groanings Too Deep For Words, (Miguel Music)
1981 Roberto Miranda, Raphael, (Nimbus West)
1980 Roberto Miranda, The Creator's Musician, (Nimbus West)
Albums/CDs Recorded with other Artists
2006 Jesse Sharps, The Gathering (independent production)
2005 David Ornette Cherry, Organic Groove (CEM)
2004 Ben Rosenbloom, Live at Club Tropical (Lumina Records)
2003 Bobby Bradford, Live at LACMA (Waterboy Records)
2003 Kenny Burrell, Blue Muse (Concord Records)
2003 Steve Shelton, Some Stories (Independent production)
2002 Darrel Moore, Influenced by Intensity (Quintessential)
2002 Michael McDaniel, Beloved (Sole Sound Records Inc.)
2001 John Rapson, Water and Blood (9 Winds Records)
2001 Oliva Revueltas, Angel of Scissors (Opción Sonica)
2000 Steve Shelton, Do What You Do Best (Independent Production)
2000 Ben Rosenbloom, Lumina ,Tass (Aviva)
1999 David Ornette Cherry, The End Of A Century (Tonga Productions)
1999 Olivia Revueltas, 'Round Midnight In L.A. (ORT)
1999 David Such, Winds On The Horizon (Aim Recording Co.)
1997 Kamau Daood, Leimert Park (Mama Records)
1996 Glenn Horiuchi, Hilltop View (Music and Arts)
1996 Glenn Horiuchi, Mercy (Music and Arts)
1996 Francis Wong (Independent Production)
1996 Horace Tapscott (Independent Production)
1993 Saundra Sharp, On The Sharp Side
1990 Vinny Golia, Pilgrimage To Obscurity (9 Winds Records)
1987 James Newton, Water Mystery (Gramavision)
1987 Thom Mason, New Traditions, (Affinity)
1984 Curtis Clarke, Phmtasmagoria, (Nimbus)
1984 Dadisi Wells, Hassan's Walk, (Nimbus)
1984 John Rapson, Deeba Dah-Bwee, (Nine Winds)
1984 John Carter, Dauhwe, (Black Saint)
1984 Thomas Tedesco, and Ocean, (Nimbus)
1984 Bobby Bradford, Lost in L.A, (Soul Note)
1982 Horace Tapscott, Live at I.U.C.C., (Nimbus)
1982 Charles Lloyd, Nightblooming Jasmine (Forest Farm Music and Art)
1981 Adele Sebastian, Desert Fairy Princess, (Nimbus)
1981 John Carter/Bobby Bradford Quintet, Nightfire, (Black Saint)
1981 Vinny Golia Quintet, The Gift of Fury, (Ninewinds)
1981 Vinny Golia Trio, Slice of Life, (Ninewinds)
1980 Gary Bias Quintet, East 101, (Nimbus)
1980 Walter Thompson, Staroate, (Dane Recmds)
1980 Linda Hill, Lullaby for Linda, (Nimbus)
1980 Horace Tapscott, Live at Lobero, Vols. I & II (Nimbus)
1980 Horace Tapscott, Dial 'B' for Barbra, (Nimbus)
1980 Tim Berne, 7 x, (Empire)
1979 Tim Berne Quartet, 5-Year Plalfl, (Empire)
1979 Vinny Golia, Openhearted, (Ninewinds)
1977 Vinny Golia, Spirits in Fellowship. (Ninewinds)
1976 Ron Jefferson, Vons Ete's Swing. (Catalyst Records)
1976 Jazz Symphonies, The Beginning. (Renfro Records)
1973 En Medio Saracho, En Medio, (ABC-Dunhill)
1972 Charles Lloyd, Waves, (A&M Records)
Publications:
2006 The Dark Tree Appendix by Roberto Miranda
Completion of oral history transcript, Beyond Central: Roberto Miranda, the result of an interview conducted by Steven L lsoardi under the auspices of UCLA Center or Oral History Research