Hello all, this month has shaped up quite nice with many musical encounters. I’ll be at the Honky Tonk in Pilsen, Music Fest in ottowa with a band callled Bopology, playing with Angel Rodriguez Orchestra, who is an in demand director for high tier traveling artists, and lastly the Chicago Jazz Festival. I haven’t played this fest since my band opened up for Roy Hanes at Millennium Pk in 2012. I’m feeling so grateful for all these things manifesting in my life. I remember as a kid, just wanting to play with the guys on the stage, they were so good. My dad took me to see one of the Godfather’s of Latin bass, Cacho Lopez in Miami. Paquito Chavarría was on piano, Pichu on trumpet. I’ll forever remember how hard that band swung. And while I’m the subject of swinging I didn’t always have a good swing on Latin music. I’ve come to realize, now I do.

If you would like to come to any of my shows, they are open to the public. All details are on my Dates section on the website. Love you all and be blessed.

This week in New York, I’ll be playing at Fabretto’s Children’s Organization’s gala and fundraiser. They are based in Nicaragua and are deeply involved in restoring Managua’s communities through education and job opportunities. I am honored to be a part of this event. On Friday, I reunite with a good friend and colleague Victor Rosso Group and Saturday with the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Bigband at Hostos College.

I’m thrilled to share I’m currently in the studio, recording my sophomore album as a leader with a new trio, which consists of John Benitez on bass and Marvin Diz on congas, and special surprise guest stars. We are cooking something good for you, and can’t wait till you hear it. I have arranged Stevie Wonder’s music with a Latin tinge.

Today, the Multiverse Bigband received news our recording won Record of the Year from the Jazz Journal Association. This is a huge accomplishment, and I’m happy to be a part of this recording, the “West Side Story Reimagined” project which is led by master percussionist Bobby Sanabria.

Lastly, I’m looking forward to performing at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra space with my Latin jazz group from Chicago called CALJE on May 24th. This is a highlight this year so far and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Stay connected for more news!

Dreams come true and I couldn't be more grateful for what I’m about to share with you. Our recording, “West Side Story Reimagined” by the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Bigband has been nominated in the 2019 Grammy Awards for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year! This is an incredible honor and I want to thank God first and foremost for blessing me with the gift of music, my parents, brothers, family here and around the world, music teachers I’ve had throughout my development as a pianist, colleagues and friends. Now, let’s bring it home.

We just returned from Tel Aviv, Israel, and I must say it was fun, and way too short of a trip. Bobby Sanabria took us to play at the Ashdod Super Jazz Festival where I met some amazing people from all over the world. What I took away from this trip, after some insightful conversations with other musicians, is that we are all different and the same. We have similar struggles, aspirations and we agreed that what should unite us as a species is our humanness. This concept resonated within all of us at a deep level because we see so much violence, pain and injustice all around the world.

Aside from being gifted with music, at the end of the day,  music is another lens through which we can perceive life as human beings and how beautiful it is to witness the power it has to bring people together. This reminds me of one of my favorite McCoy Tyner and Burt Bacharach albums, “What the World Needs Now”, with jazz trio and symphony orchestra. There is some great music on here, you should check it out sometime.

Today, Delmark Records announces the release of “Paquito Libre” is eminent. This is a track recorded by Paquito D’Rivera and myself earlier this year. I consider him a good friend and inspiration to many of us students of the music. He is a musician I grew up admiring and studying, so being on this recording with him is surreal and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

The first time he asked me to play was to play with his trio in New York City. I forgot where I parked my car the morning of our first rehearsal, so I ended up getting a good 30 minute cardio work out, walking up and down the hills of Manhattan. The good thing is I wasn’t late and I was musically prepared. Later, he asked me to play with his Pan-American Orchestra for a Latin jazz ballet production and this year we did a concert fundraiser for musicians in Puerto Rico recovering from the hurricane. That concert was star studded and special, it was with the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Bigband, featuring Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Paquito, Candido Camero and Eddie Montalvo. It was an epic night, one I’ll never forget. It felt like the Dizzy United Nations orchestra, which a lot of them are alumnus of.

Alright back to the recording. This track will be interesting because it’s the first time Paquito and myself record in a free jazz setting. The project was organized by Elbio Barilari and Julia Miller for their upcoming release, “Volcano Radar”. I’m looking forward to sharing this new music with you soon.