When it comes to authentic Cuban Jazz, The Elio Villafranca Quintet brings you only the best. Elio Villafranca first appeared on stage with his quartet in the New Dimensions in Latin Jazz Series in 2007. Since then, this gifted pianist and composer won the first NFA/Heineken Green Ribbon Master Artist Music Grant from the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC).
“The musical history of Cuba is full of extraordinary pianists,” says the legendary Paquito D’Rivera, “and Elio Villafranca is amongst the best representatives of the new generation of Cuban pianists and composers.” Visit: www.eliovillafranca.com
As a sideman, Villafranca's credits include gigs and recordings with Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Fortune, Pat Martino, and Miguel Zenn, Jon Faddis, just to name a few. He has released two albums as a band leader, Incantation/Encantaciones (listed in 2003 by Jazz Time magazine as one of best 50 jazz albums of the year,) and The Source In Between (listed for 11 weeks on the JazzWeek World Top-50 Chart peaking at #4. This album was also the #1 jazz add at College radio. The Quintet features: Tony Miceli on Vibes, who also conducts master classes at the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music and gives private instruction. He is on the faculty at The University of the Arts and Rowan University
Luques Curtis on bass, who is developing a reputation as one of the most versatile and in-demand bass players on the scene. His most recent honor was a 2007 Grammy Award for his contribution to the Bryan Lynch/Eddie Palmeri album “Simpatico."
John Davis on drums who has made a name for himself by way of recordings with Medeiros Brothers (Sony Latin, release 2008), along with numerous world jazz tours.
Also on the bill is his burly sound and drive of tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart. Grant has performed all over North American and Europe as well as in Japan, Brazil and Taiwan. He was also one of the first jazz artists to be invited to play at the historical Hermitage Museum in St. Petersberg, Russia.
Make plans with others to hear some phenomenal music on October 27th at 7:30PM & 9:30PM at the Jazz Standard 116 East 27th Street, New York City.
