Darwin Noguera is an American pianist, composer, arranger, and educator making a significant impact on the Jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz scenes. Born in from Managua, Nicaragua, he draws inspiration from masters like Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Keith Jarret, Bill Evans and Robert Glasper, crafting dynamic, genre-blending sounds that fuse tradition with contemporary innovation.
A DePaul University alumnus, Noguera earned a Bachelor of Music in Performing Arts Management with a minor in Business Administration. He went on to complete a Master’s degree in Jazz at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he received a merit scholarship. His Carnegie Hall debut came in 2017 alongside Bobby Sanabria, and he has been a longstanding member of the multi-Grammy-nominated Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band, contributing piano work to three of his latest albums, with two garnering Grammy Award nominations; West Side Story: Reimagined and Vox Humana.
For the past four years, Noguera has served as Musical Director at The Second City in Chicago, one of the country’s most prestigious improv and sketch comedy institutions. In this role, he composes, arranges, and leads live music for multiple mainstage productions, collaborating closely with directors, cast members, and improvisers to create dynamic, responsive scores that enhance the theater’s signature blend of humor, satire, and storytelling. This position has further expanded his versatility as a performer and musical leader, bridging the worlds of jazz, Latin music, and theatrical performance while deepening his reputation as a highly collaborative and adaptable artist in Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene.
Noguera has performed and recorded with an impressive roster of Grammy-winning artists and jazz luminaries, including Bobby Sanabria, Jeremy Bosch, Candido Camero, Paquito D’Rivera, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Benítez, Randy Brecker, Miguel Zenon, Andy Gonzalez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Succar, La Cassandra, and others. He has helmed multiple albums, led commissioned works, and delivered performances and masterclasses across the United States, Central America, and beyond.
Current Projects
In 2021, he launched the Darwin Noguera Group (formerly the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble / CALJE), an innovative ensemble that blends authentic Afro-Cuban jazz, Timba, Rumba, poetry, and modern jazz elements. Drawing from influences across Latin America, the group delivers high-energy, danceable original music featuring heart-pounding grooves and compelling improvisations. The band has performed throughout the Midwest and Nicaragua, while offering workshops for students of all ages.
Notable prior work includes the critically acclaimed CALJE album Blueprints (Chicago Sessions Records), featuring special guests like Grammy-winning trombonist Steve Turre and percussionist Paoli Mejías.
As a sought-after pianist and music director, Darwin Noguera continues to push the Latin jazz genre forward. He maintains an active performance schedule with the Darwin Noguera Group, trio, and orchestra, including appearances at venues and festivals such as the Chicago Jazz Festival and Millennium Park.
Masterclasses
An experienced and sought-after educator, Darwin regularly leads masterclasses and workshops at universities and festivals across the United States and Central America. Drawing on his deep passion for music and his multifaceted career, he guides students through topics including Music of the Americas, Jazz Harmony & Improvisation, Composition and Arranging, Latin Piano Concepts, Music Business, and the journey from Classical to Jazz.
In addition to his ongoing work in academia, he is heading to Maine this summer 26’ to lead a week-long jazz retreat, continuing to inspire and prepare the next generation of musicians with practical insight and artistic vision.
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall Artist in Residence Fellowship
Chicago Jazz Festival
Chicago Latin Jazz Festival
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic | Guest conductor & pianist
The Second City Chicago | Music director
The Jeff Awards | Music director
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band
Gilberto Santa Rosa Orchestra, NYC
Arturo O'Farrill Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble | Co-founder, pianist, composer & manager
Chad Lefkowitz Brown Quartet
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Dizzy's Club Coca Cola | Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC
Embassy of Nicaragua, Washington, D.C.
Nicaragua Jazz Festival
Ashdod Super Jazz Festival | Ashdod, Israel
NJPAC
Giovanni Hidalgo & Friends, John Benitez & Ignacio Berroa | LP Studios NYC
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Summit | Featured artist
The United Nations
Millenium Park
Paquito D' Rivera Trio
Malpaso Ballet, Cuba
Harris Theatre
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Lincoln Center Plaza
Nicaragua Tour
Cuba Tour
Birdland Jazz Club
Philadelphia Museum of Art
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“A strong recording debut.”
“Fresh and daring and marvelously versatile band, a Latin jazz masterpiece.”
“Adventurous and Agressive!”
“A sensational Jazz recording.”
“Always in full command of the rich, harmonic possibilities.”
“Noguera brings a sense of melody, phrasing, and emotion, that would only be expected from a performer many years his senior.”
“He shapes melodies with intelligent musicality and lush harmonic knowledge.”
“Helping to give all this meaning, Noguera plays with passion and command during solo stints.”
“This is a solid ensemble.”
Discography
RECORDINGS AS A LEADER:
Fourth Dimension | Darwin Noguera Music
Steppin | Darwin Noguera Music
Blueprints | Chicago Sessions Records
The Gardener | Chicago Sessions Records
Matter of Time | Darwin Noguera Music
RECORDINGS AS A SIDEMAN:
Arsenio and Beyond: Live at Bronx Music Hall (Piano - 2026)
Jeremy Bosch | La Clave del Tiempo (Piano) 2023
Volcano Radar feat. Paquito D’Rivera & Darwin Noguera | Delmark Records 2024
Kim McFarland | My Praise Continues (String Arrangement: Track 2) 2023
Vox Humana | Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Bigband (Piano 2023)
West Side Story Reimagined | Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Bigband (Piano 2022)
Jeremy Bosch | Acercate - (Piano 2020)
Jeremy Bosch Prologo: Hoy EP | (Piano -all tracks 2020) Reel Eleven LLC
Jeremy Bosch | Autopsia (Keyboard)
Jeremy Bosch & Luis Enrique | Una Noche Mas (Piano)
Jeremy Bosch & Alain Perez | Hoy (Piano 2020)
Giovanni Hidalgo & Friends | LP Studios NYC (Piano)
Precious Blood of Jesus | Mark Smith Productions (String arrangement)
Land of the Descendants | Chembo Corniel & Chaworo Records (Piano)
Opal Staples | I Need You (String arrangement)
Hecho a Mano by Buena Viera Sextet | Salsaneo Records (Piano - all tracks)
Together | Truth Revolution Records
Young Street | RGY Entertainment
George Lamond 25th Anniversary DVD | Independent Label
Just Practice | Rocky Yera Independent Release
Opening Statement by Tito Carrillo | Origin Records
Juego Peligroso | Mike DeVito & Candlelight Music Group
Out of the Box | Ricky Luis & Wave Factory
Infraverde | Papo Santiago & CLP Records
Cuatro Por Arriba | Guitarras de Espana & Novo Records
Yuletide Groove | Tyme Records
This is the Life | Independent Release
London Cool | Natalie Oliveri Independent Release
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