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Rafael

Rafael Garcés (Saxophonist, Jazz Pianist and Composer)

About Me

BIOGRAFY Rafael Garcés (Saxophonist, pianist of jazz, professor and composer) Styles: (Classic, Jazz, Hard-Bop, Blues, New-jazz, Cool Jazz, Afrocuban Jazz, Cuban Jazz)

Born in Havana (Cuba) with Spanish nationality and his mother being a Professor for classical Piano,together with his brother he began his musical training at a very young age. He graduates at the national conservatory of music in Havana (ENA) in 1987, being taught by a variety of globally known masters in Jazz and classical music. At the age of 17 he wins the 1. price at the classical competition for saxophonists “Amadeo Roldán” - (Santiago de Cuba 1987). Later on he is asked to join the Jazz band IREME and with them he participates in 2 editions of the international Jazz festival ”Jazz Plaza de la Habana” organized by Arturo Sandoval. In one of them accompanying the famous singer Maggie Carlés. There he meets grand interpreters of this gender like: Felipe Dulzaides, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Opus 13, Dave Valentín, Dizzy Gillespie, among others… In 1992 he becomes musical director and pianist for the most exponent singer of the Cuban feeling “Omara Portuondo”. With her he goes on international tours and participates on various international music festivals, like the international festival of Bolero in Havana 1992 and the international guitar festival in Cordoba (Spain) 1994. Since then he has been part of concerts and recordings of many Spanish artists, of which some highlights are the following: Alameda (20 Anniversary), Xerez Sherry Jerez La Macanita de Jerez produced by Ricardo Pachón, David Peña Dorantes (Flamenco Piano with the show “Hasta el andar”) in the teatro Lope de Vega of Seville, Esperanza Fernández (Singer) at the flamenco festival in Düsseldorf and the international festival of music and dance in Granada 2014, Piano con Duende of the biennial of flamenco in Seville together with the pianist Ricardo Miño, festival de la Guitare (Astaffort-France) with the Flamenco guitar player Paco Fernández where he coincides on the same stages with guitar players like Scott Henderson (USA), Adrian Legg (France) and Gigi Cifarelli (Italy) . His personal project ‘’Aborigen’’ is price winner at the international competition for interpreters of Jazz at the international Jazz festival of Granada 2002 Two shows in the nights of the “Reales Alcázar” one individual, which he called “Cubania”, and another one together with the sevillan singer Carmen Cano “De Sevilla a la Habana” with her he carries out tours and shows in Europe and America. Collaboration on recordings and concerts of the drummer Xavi Reija in two of his projects ‘’Dream Land’’ and ‘’Rithual’’ participating at the international Jazz festival (Madrid) 2008, jazz festival Lugo, jazz festival Munijazz (Rioja) and shows in the “Jamboree Jazz Club” (Barcelona). Together with the Spanish singer Miguel Ríos in the program ”Buenas noches bienvenidos” channel 2 Andalucía 2007. Saxophone player at the mythical “café concierto Teatro Pereyra” together with the Dutch producer and pianist Eric Jan Harmsen (Ibiza) 2008

DISCOGRAPHY AND COLABORATIONS:

Recording of the album ‘’Aborigen’’ Pice winner at the international jazz festival Granada 2002.

Album: Dream Land with Xavi Reija Electric Quintet (2006) seal: Batiendo Records, collaboration as saxophonist.

Album: ‘’Rithual’’ with Xavi Reija Electric Quintet (2008) seal: Indi Records collaboration as saxophonist.

Album with the Dutch producer and pianist Eric Jan Harmsen ‘’Harmsen & Garcés’’ 52 Min 52 Sec (2011) seal: Teatro Pereyra.

Producer and arranger of the album Jazz ‘’Sui Generis’’ of the singer Carmen Cano (2013) seal: C&G Productions.

Soundtrack ‘’Silencio’’ with the singer Carmen Cano for the short film ‘’Las Flores del Mal’’ awarded in the national competition for short films of the culture ministry of Peru – Di 2013, presented and awarded at the film festival of Montreal (Canada), award for best debut in short film 2013, Lima-Peru, Cannes Short Film Corner 2013 (Film director María José Moreno) Casa Luz Films 2013.

Collaboration for the album Jazz ‘’Dream Come True’’ of the bass player Pablo Zapata 2013, ''Latidos'' 2016

First album as a jazz soloist RAFAEL GARCES-NEXT STATION'' for Quadrant Produccions 2016.

AWARDS AND MENTIONS: 1º Price at the national competition for saxophone players Amadeo Roldán (1987) Santiago de Cuba.

International award for interpreters of jazz Granada 2002 granted by the international jazz festival in Granada, for the concert which was performed at the Teatro Alhambra of the above mentioned city. Plaque of the cámara municipal de Lagos (Portugal) in recognition of the performance at the jazz festival (2003).

Saxophonist Endorser in the convention of music stores Adagio S.A which took place at the hotel “Renacimiento” in Seville (Spain)

Member of North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA).

Master Classes of jazz and improvisation at the conservatorio de Reus (Tarragona).illa-España Hotel Renacimiento (Isla de la Cartuja).

JAZZ FESTIVALS :

Two editions of the international jazz festival Plaza de la Habana with Ireme Band and with the international Cuban singer Maggie Carles invited by the great jazz trumpet player Arturo Sandoval 1991.

Festival de la guitare Astaffort-France with flamenco guitarist Paco Fernández Sharing the stage with guitarists such as Scott Henderson, Gigi Cifarelli (ITALY), Adrian Legg (France) 2001.

Rafael Garces & Aborigen Quartet Concert at Jamboree Jazz Club -Barcelona 2002.

Jaén International Jazz Festival with Rafael Garcés & Aborigen Quartet 2002.

As a pianist at the jazz festival in the province of Seville with jazz guitarist Frank Mazuelos 2002.

Jazz Festival in the province of Seville organized by the deputation of said city with the project Rafael Garcés & Aborigen Quartet 2003.

Las Cabezas Jazz Festival with Aborigen Quartet 2003.

Lagos International Jazz Festival (Portugal) with Aborigen Cuban Quartet 2003.

Contemporary music cycle organized by the international university of Andalusia with Aborigen Cuban Quintet 2004.

XVII Jazz Festival Lugo (Santiago de Compostela-Spain) with Xavi Reija Electric Quartet (Sala Clavicémbalo) 2007 guest artists John Scofield.

Vermouth Jazz Festival, BCN, Xavi Reija Electric Quintet, (april 2007).

Munijazz Festival V Edition, Xavi Reija Electric Quintet, (August 08).

International Jazz Festival of Madrid, Sala Clamores, (presentation of the album “RITHUAL”, Xavi Reija Electric Quintet (november 2008), artists of the Kenny Garret festival.

Concert in Jamboree Jazz Club -Barcelona with Carmen Cano & Rafael Garces Quartet 2009.

Rithual album presentation Xavi Reija Quintet in jazz club Jamboree (Barcelona.2009).

Concert Carmen Cano + Rafael Garcés Duo in concert cycle at the Jazz Corner (Seville) 2009.

Teatro Can Ventosa concert in the city of Ibiza with the singer Carmen Cano in the show '' Canto a los classicas cubanos '' 2009

Concert Carmen Cano + Rafael Garcés Duo in Clasijazz concert hall (Almería) February 2010. Concert Carmen Cano + Rafael Garcés Quartet in Clasijazz concert hall (Almería) May 2010.

Concert in the Juan de Mairena room. Espacio Joaquín Turina Rafael Garces Quintet in the presentation of the first jazz album as soloist '' Next Station '' with the label Quadrant Produccions, organized by ASEJAZZ 2017.

As a pianist at the concert for the presentation of the album for Big Band '' MODUPUE '' by maestro Fernando Wilhelmi for the label Quadrant Produccions, held at Teatro Isabel La Católica Granada-Spain 2017

Jazz Festival '' Las Cabezas de San Juan '' Rafael Garcés & Free Art Band 2017.

Jazz Festival Alcudia Sept 2019 With Julian Vaughn 4 Peace Quartet (Auditorium Alcudia-Mallorca) Spain.

My Jazz Story

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