Grammy Award Winner to perform at UMass on Thursday

Miguel Zenón is a multiple Grammy Nominee and arguably one of the best alto saxophone players in the world. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zenón received his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Berklee School of Music and his master’s from Manhattan School of Music.

His most recent release, Identities are Changeable was inspired by various experiences he and other people in the Puerto Rican community in the United States have dealt with pertaining to cultural identity. His lyrics are based off of numerous interviews he conducted with New Yorkers of Puerto Rican descent. The album was chosen as one of the best jazz recordings by NBC News, NPR, The Boston Globe and Rhapsody to just name a few.

Zenón, among other artists recently, created something that has generated conversations about race and national identity in America.

He’ll be performing at UMass Amherst this Thursday, February 11th at the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall with a 12-piece band.

He will also be attending an event hosted by the Holyoke Public Library with the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) and the FAC discussing the question, “What does it mean to be a Puerto Rican in 21st century New York City?” Event holders will ask the same question of Puerto Ricans in Holyoke.