“Elements” is the name of Vernon Chatlein’s latest project where he chose some of his best friends to play music that is new, groovy, healing for the soul and all in all “fresh”. Consisting of musicians that are his longtime friends, Pierre Dunker and Jean Jacques Rojer, the band’s influences are endless and with each musician having his own background the elements that comprise the music and the compositions will make you dance, cry, laugh, sigh and hopefully touch your heart.
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The band will be joined by pianist, longtime friend and compatriot Luigino Rosaria, a graduate Master of Music Performance at the Pensacola Christian College, Florida. “Gino” is a very successful pianist who is making his way to the top of Jazz in Florida.
Vernon Chatlein (1984 – Curaçao), studied Jazz and percussion at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. He is a multi-percussionist coming from a musical background of Afro-Cuban, Latin and Jazz. Prior to his studies in Amsterdam, he took formal music studies at the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán, in Havana Cuba. While in Cuba he also studied Cuban and Latin percussion with the likes of Jose Luis Quintana (“Changuito”) and other Cuban master percussionists. His main influences are spread between many different styles of music, be it rock, hip-hop, jazz, African, middle-eastern, his ears have had a taste of it. In 2011 he was awarded the “Stichting Jazz Talent Award”, and this was the start of his band “Elements”. He released his first CD “Inner Silence” in 2013. Vernon has performed with various artists and groups, among them: Alex Brown (US), Randal Corsen (Curaçao), Denise Jannah (NL), Marlon Titre (NL), Malando Orkest (NL), Kuenta i Tambu and the Metropole Orkest (NL) to mention a few. Vernon’s performances has also landed him on international stages such as ‘Festival de Jazz NaguaNagua (Venezuela), The Baltimore-Washington Jazz Festival, Havana Cuba (Teatro Bellas Artes), Saulkrasti Jazz Festival (Latvia), North Sea Jazz Festival , “Jazz at the Lincoln Center” New York (Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola), Sunday Jazz Brunch at St. Peter’s Church (NY), Los Angeles CA, and in Pensacola Florida. He was invited to perform at the 1st edition of the Amsterdam Jazz Fest with Vernon Chatlein Elements and formed part of KIT at the 2014 South By Southwest Festival.
Jean Jacques Rojer was born in Groningen, Holland to Antillean parents. A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, he performed in New York City as part of Paquito D’Rivera’s young artist concert organized by the Weill Institute at Carnegie Hall. Later he was also honored to perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at the “Beyond the Spanish Tinge” concert given by Paquito D’Rivera and Wynton Marsalis. Furthermore, Rojer has worked and made guest appearances with Regina van Berkel, Ilan Chester, Phillip Harper, Izaline Callister, Michael Kanan, Mike del Ferro, Pernell Saturnino, Nederlandse Blaas Ensemble, Randal Corsen and Fra Fra Sound among others.
Jean Jacques first Album “Le Trip” was featured on international flights of the KLM (Royal Dutch Airline).
The CD consists of home recordings, made in Paris and Amsterdam between October 2011 and April 2012. The guitarist is assisted by his fellow Curaçao compatriots Vernon Chatlein (percussion) and Ralph Durgaram (percussion)
Pierre Dunker is a composer and bass player from the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. Growing up he was surrounded by the sounds of popular Caribbean, Brazilian and American pop music of the Seventies and Eighties.
At 9 he picked up the cuatro and the guitar. At the age of 15 he began to play the electric bass.
His interest in jazz music afforded him the opportunity to play with many local jazz artists and at the age of 27, Pierre picked up the upright bass. Pierre managed to draw the attention of numerous artists abroad.
Among others, he has worked with Denise Jannah (Netherlands), Amina Figarova (USA), Israel Gonzalez (Cuba), Pernel Saturnino (Curaçao and USA), Miles Peña (USA), Dave Valentin (USA), Michiel Borstlap (Netherlands) and Gary Weill (Venezuela).
Pierre recently moved to the Netherlands to work locally as well as in the rest of Europe on different musical projects, while preparing for the release of his own album.
Born and raised in Curaçao, Gino Rosaria always had an interest in music and science. The influence of the many cultures allowed him to learn and play many different kinds of music, which became part of his identity. Later on he grew to enjoy Jazz, Latin, and Classical music the most. Gino started performing on a regular basis in his early teens.
In 2003, Gino moved to the US to study music under the world renowned Daisy De Luca Jaffe. In 2009, he graduated with a Master’s degree in Classical Music Performance. Gino then started taking private Jazz lessons with touring artist David Shelander. He went on to win many competitions and also got a chance to appear on local TV and radio stations. Gino also appeared several times on national tv, performing solo, chamber, and with orchestra. Today Gino performs or does studio work with some of the best musicians around, including recording artist Danny Clay who frequently tours with Tyler Perry and Steve Harvey, 2010 Award winner for best Jazz clarinet player Tim Laughlin, Kim Scott, guitarist Eric Essix and drummer P.J. Spraggins.
His goal is to continue giving virtuosic piano performances in both Classical and Jazz music.