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Fran Vielma
Francisco (Fran) Vielma is a Venezuelan multi-percussionist, composer, arranger, and educator. In his compositions, he fuses Venezuelan rhythms with jazz elements, concert music, and beyond.
About Me
Francisco “Fran” Vielma born and raised in Mérida, Venezuela, a multicultural college town where
arts are part of the daily life of its citizens. Encouraged by his mother Maritza Vielma, a music lover,
he started in the musical world by singing, playing Venezuelan Cuatro, and taking core music
courses at The Andes University Arts Center (CUDA).
His drumming journey began as a teenager with Caribbean and orchestral percussion, which he
developed in parallel at Youth Symphonic Orchestra – “El Sistema” and playing in local Salsa
bands. He later became a member of “Kimbandú” – a research music ensemble that traveled
around the country to study and document musical expressions of Venezuela.
Before moving to Caracas early 2000’s, created “Nuevas Almas” World Jazz Ensamble along with
drummer/composer Diego Maldonado to play their original compositions and arrangements. The
ensemble put out the album “Inesperado” in 2009 under the label Cacao Music along with renown
artists such as Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jose Quintana “Changuito,” and Negroni’s trio among
others.
In Caracas Fran kept a busy schedule performing, recording, and touring nationally and
internationally with regarded jazz, salsa, pop, electronic, and traditional Venezuelan music artists.
And became faculty at the renowned “Taller de Jazz Caracas,” where also performed duties as
Percussion Chairperson. Additionally, was founding member of the music collective “Movida
Acustica Urbana” (MAU) that released a live album in 2009 (MAU EN VIVO).
He attended the Arts University (UNEARTE) for composition, and “Cátedra Libre de Percussion de
Caracas” directed by Miguel Urbina and Jhony Rudas.
Fran Vielma was awarded by a scholarship to finish his Bachelor’s in Performance and Jazz Theory
at Berklee College of Music, and a Master’s in Jazz Studies at New England Conservatory of Music
in Boston, MA.
Vielma recently premiered his suite “Common Grounds” at SFJAZZ commissioned by the
prestigious Chamber Music America - New Jazz Works and has been a DC Commission on the Arts
and Humanities Fellow since 2019. Additionally, has been a Jazz Road Tours Grantee by South
Arts.
Fran has been featured artist for the “Hispanic Heritage Celebration Concert” of the prestigious
United States Army Blues Band, having performed his compositions and arrangements.
He has toured around the continent with his start-studded Venezuelan Jazz Collective;
“Tendencias,” his latest release, includes Vielma’s original works and arrangements featuring
world-renown Miguel Zenón, Michael Rodríguez, and Luis Perdomo. It was included in the Best of
2018 lists by Downbeat, Latin Jazz Network, & NYC Jazz Record.
As an in-demand performer, he has shared stages around the world with John Medeski, George
Garzone, Paul Winter, Simon Phillips, Antonio Sanchez, Miguel Zenón, Sean Jones, Michael
Rodríguez, Mango Blue, Eguie Castrillo, Chuchito Valdés, “Los Van Van,” “Yoruba Andabo,” and Luis
Enrique to name a few. He’s a current member of Cesar Orozco & Kamarata Jazz and has featured in
the last two releases.
Vielma is currently a Jazz Department Faculty of Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
and has been World Music faculty at Salem State University, MA, artist resident at Florida
University, “Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico,” Baltimore School of Arts, and Maryland
Classic Youth Orchestra among others. Additionally, directs the Hidden Treasure Music Workshop.
Fran Vielma endorses Meinl Percussion, Vater Drums Sticks, Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals, and
Africatedra Venezuelan Percussion.
Releases: Fran Vielma & Venezuelan Jazz Collective. “Tendencias,” Papelón Records, 2018,
Ensamble Nuevas Almas. “Inesperado,” Cacao Music, 2009, Nuevas Almas with Movida Acustica
Urbana. “MAU en Vivo,” independent, 2009.
As a sidemen: Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra, Outside in Music, 2022, Cesar Orozco, “Rooted Forward,”
Independent, 2020, Fernando Alvarez & Joropo Jam “Típico Ma Non Troppo,” independent, 2018,
German Marcano, “Aquí y Allá,” independent, 2018, Cesar Orozco, “No Limits for Tumbao,” ALFI
Records, 2015 - Jihee Yoon, “Inflorescence,” Yeolin Music, 2012 - Rafael “Pollo” Brito, “Boleros en
vivo,” ANES records, 2012 - German Marcano. “Rochela,” independent, 2011 - Oscar Fanega, “Bass
& Percussion,” independent, 2009 - Hugo Fuguet, “Nueve días,” independent, 2009.