Written by Jim Eigo:
jim@jazzpromoservices.com
Cuban pianist and composer Manuel Valera leads The New Cuban Express
Tuesday, August 16th at the Jazz Standard
Dubbed "Jazz Cubano for Modern Times" and comprised of an all-star band of prominent
musicians, this group features a contemporary compositional take on the music of
the island of Cuba as well as original pieces.
"He leaves no doubt that he is destined to play a role in the future of jazz." (Philip
Van Vleck, Billboard)
featuring
Yosvany Terry – alto saxophone, chekeré
Adam Rogers – guitar
Manuel Valera – piano
John Benitez – bass
Obed Calvaire – drums
Mauricio Herrera– percussion
MORE ON VALERA AND THE NEW CUBAN EXPRESS -- JAZZ CUBANO
FOR MODERN TIMES
A touring sideman with Arturo Sandoval and Dafnis Prieto for the last three years,
Manuel currently leads an amazing all-star band called The New Cuban Express. Dubbed
Jazz Cubano for Modern Times and comprised of seven prominent young musicians, this
group features a contemporary compositional take on the music of the island of Cuba
as well as original pieces.
The septet of active leaders and sidemen in today's jazz scene, boasts original
compositions and arrangements from all the members and includes a composer series
that features arrangements from a prominent Cuban composer. The first highlighted
composer of the customizable series is music from late, great Cuban pianist Emiliano
Salvador.
The rotating cast includes pianist and bandleader Manuel Valera (Paquito D'Rivera,
Dafnis Prieto), saxophonist Yosvany Terry (Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Steve Coleman) trumpeter
Michael Rodriguez (Charlie Haden, Gonzalo Rubalcaba), drummer Ernesto Simpson (Arturo
Sandoval, Richard Bona) bassist John Benitez (John Scofield, Chick Corea), guitarist
Adam Rogers (Michael Brecker, Chris Potter) and percussionist Mauricio Herrera (Bryan
Lynch, Spanish Harlem Orchestra). This ensemble can be customized to a quartet format.
MANUEL VALERA -- BRIEF BIO
This dynamic and prolific artist has recorded five cds as a bandleader. His critically
acclaimed debut cd Forma Nueva featuring John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez
Bill Stewart and Seamus Blake—which received nationwide radio airplay and garnered
strong reviews in the jazz and music press Billboard, Jazztimes, Jazziz, All Music
Guide and Latin Beat among others. Historia, a jazz quartet recording for Fresh
Sounds New Talent followed in 2005. Then in 2006 Melancolia—which employed a string
quartet incorporating world rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom that
opened up new vistas of compositional colors and textures across the full range
of Valera's sources. In 2007, Vientos represented a new working quartet, featuring
bassist James Genus, drummer Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Joel Frahm and a woodwind
quartet. His fifth major recording and most recent trio work, Currents, was released
on MaxJazz in 2009 featuring Ernesto Simpson and James Genus. Manuel will be going
into the studio to record music for The New Cuban Express in September.
Manuel's most recent recognition for Vientos is the Jazziz Critics' Choice for "The
Best of 2007" and the "2007 Jazz Twirlies," a celebration award given to those most
worthy in modern jazz. He is a recipient of the 2006 Chamber Music America's New
Works Commission, the 2005 ASCAP Young Composers Award and a final nominee of the
2005 Jazz Journalist Association's awards in the Up & Coming Musician of the Year
category.
Billboard predicted Valera is "destined to play a role in the future of jazz," and
that future is now.
116 E. 27th Street (b/w Park and Lex)
NYC 10016
212-576-2232
http://manuelvalera.com
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