Bob Blumenthal: Grammy Award Winning Jazz Critic
BOB BLUMENTHAL began writing jazz criticism in 1969 while attending Harvard College. He was a contributing editor of the Boston Phoenix (1969-1989) and a contributor to The Boston Globe (1990-2002), and has also appeared in such publications as the Atlantic Monthly, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, Down Beat, JazzTimes and Jazziz. He won two Grammy awards for best album notes for collections by John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
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Filmmakers Leonor Anthony & Nima Soofi
LEONOR ANTHONY is a Cuban-born multidisciplinary activist artist based in Miami, Florida. She is an accredited scholar, artist, photographer, curator and published author. She is known for her courageous use of materials and for creating works that invoke awareness to some of the most important social and environmental issues of our time.
NIMA SOOFI is a filmmaker from Vancouver who co-founded Qube Film. He has been actively involved as a director and lead editor for over 100 TV shows, feature films, documentaries and commercials.
Michael Rossi: Founding Artistic Director, MMF
MICHAEL ROSSI is the founding artistic director of the Miami Beach Music Festival (nee Miami Music Festival, 2013). He is a musician, educator, and has conducted some of the world’s leading orchestras.
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Rachel Faro: Producer, Singer, Songwriter
RACHEL FARO (b.1948) is a singer, songwriter, record producer, consultant and record label executive. She is also a well-known producer of Cuban, Latin, African, jazz, blues, folk and world music recordings, and the founder and president of Ashe Records, a well-respected world music record label.
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Andrew Meyer: M Is for Mentor
ANDREW H. MEYER (b.1948) has served as an entertainment industry executive, film producer, and educator. He has been the President of Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss’ A&M Films, Robert Redford’s Wildwood Productions, and Norman Lear’s Act All Productions. His films include “The Breakfast Club,” Fried Green Tomatoes,” and “Birdy.” Meyer’s memoir, “Walking in the Fast Lane,” was published in 2024.
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