Karl Latham, adjunct professor of music at County College of Morris (CCM), and his band “Constellations” were recently selected to take part in the prestigious 2016 BMW Welt Jazz Award event in Munich, Germany.
The group was one of six selected worldwide to participate after a “blindfold” listening test. “Constellations” joins bands with musicians from the United States, Israel, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. The event’s motto this year, “Inspired by Legends,” will focus on the influence of outstanding personalities. In their innovative live performances, the participating artists will give a taste of how various inspirations from disciplines other than jazz can be interpreted.
This marks the eighth year that a wide range of internationally outstanding jazz groups will perform in the BMW Double Cone in six free Sunday matinee performances from January through March. After the final matinee, a panel of expert jurors will nominate two of the participating ensembles to perform the final concert at the auditorium on May 7, 2016. In addition to a prize of 10,000 euros, the winner will receive a trophy designed specially by BMW Design. The runner-up will receive 5,000 euros. The ensemble with the best combined average of all concerts will receive the audience award, which includes an appearance at the Jazz Classica Festival 2016 at resort Schloss Elmau.
“The band and I are honored to have been selected to participate in this event, featuring such a talented collection of jazz groups,” says Latham. “I’m also excited to be performing in the BMW Double Cone. Prior to teaching at CCM, I spent six months per year in Europe touring from 1993-2000, which led to Germany becoming my main market. I’m looking forward to performing there once again.”
“Constellations” consists of Latham, jazz bass legend Mark Egan and German trumpeter Ryan Carniaux. The three previously performed together in “The Wolfgang Lackerschmid Connection,” led by German vibraphonist and composer Wolfgang Lackerschmid.
Latham, a percussion specialist who resides in Warwick, NY, has appeared on hundreds of album releases, recordings and television shows in Europe and has toured the U.S. and Europe for the past 20 years.
Latham is listed on the independent website www.drummerworld.com in its Top 500 Drummers list. He plays every style of music ranging from R&B to jazz, to funk, to Broadway musicals. He has played with many well-known artists, including Johnny and Edgar Winter, and appeared on Andy Snitzer’s album “Traveler,” which was in the top 10 of smooth jazz radio airplay for nearly an entire year.
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Photo: Karl Latham, adjunct music professor at County College of Morris.
Credit: Herbert Heim, www.Jazzpixel.de
