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Gabriel Guerrero
New York-based contemporary jazz pianist / composer / educator, a freethinker bringin diversity to the stage
About Me
Colombian-born pianist/composer Gabriel Guerrero fearlessly navigates the breadth of modern music,
imbuing his performances with rhythmic and harmonic influences from South America to the avant-
garde and the rich expanses of jazz. Guerrero elevates his music with a deeper understanding of his
roots, adding his own aesthetic and emotional weight to every phrase. Speaking of the drive, direction
and roots of music rather than style, Gabriel moved from his native rhythms, contemporary
improvisation and the avant-garde to the traditions of Be-Bop and Jazz.
In 2023 Gabriel Guerrero releases “Equilibrio” on the Origin Records Label. The record showcases
Guerrero’s refinement as a composer/arranger/producer with ten originals; the music was influenced in
part by the journey of personal growth and self-discovery, incorporating experiences from moments
such as “Present Moment”, “Permanent Diversion”, and “Belong”. The album features New York-based
QUΔΠTUM band with Seth Trachy/sax, Will Slater/bass and Felix Lecaros/drums. This recording was
made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts’ “New Work Grant”.
In the year 2020 amid, the lockdown, Guerrero released the video/single “Eternal Wind” which was
recorded remotely, featuring Argentinean bassist Marcelo Torres and drummer Rudy Royston. In 2021,
during the pandemic, Guerrero was invited to be a presenter with the Queens Public Library in New
York, providing a monthly live streaming solo piano concerts via the library’s Instagram profile.
Guerrero’s 2012 debut album on Surca Music, features seven original songs and two arrangements.
Musicians on the album include the Gabriel Guerrero Trio featuring Jorge Roeder-bass, Eric Doob-drums,
plus other line ups including Jerry Bergonzi-sax, Bruce Gertz-bass, among others. The album draws
from Colombian rhythms such as Porro, Bullerengue, as well as contemporary jazz songs showcasing
Guerrero’s strong intellect and versatility on his writing and arranging. As a sideman Gabriel can be
heard on “Power of Love” the debut record by Herbie Hancock’s long time drummer Gene Jackson’s Trio
NuYorx released on Whirlwind Recordings in 2018 as well as four Bruce Gertz Quintet recordings
featuring Jerry Bergonzi, and “Panama Suite” (Artist Share 2008) by the Danilo Perez Big Band featuring
Danilo Perez on electric piano and Gabriel on acoustic piano plus a 19-piece big band.
Guerrero has performed/recorded with Dave Holland, Paquito D’ Rivera, Steve Coleman, Roy Hargrove,
George Garzone, Mike Mainieri, Esperanza Spalding, Adam Nusbaum, Gene Jackson, Dafnis Prieto, John
Riley, Mike Clark, Bob Moses, Anthony Branker, Gregg Bissonette, Jamey Haddad. He has also put
together various musical projects such as SURCA, a multi-cultural quartet dedicated to expanding on
South American rhythms and avant-garde jazz.
In Colombia, Gabriel studied classical piano from age five before moving to New York in 1998 to study
at Hunter College winning the Concerto/Aria Competition performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto K444
with the Hunter Symphony Orchestra. In year 2000 Gabriel won a scholarship to study at The New
England Conservatory of Music earning both a Bachelors and a Masters degree studying with Danilo
Perez, Steve Lacy, Fred Hersch, Jerry Bergonzi, and Charlie Banacos. Other teachers include Ran Blake,
James Moody, Rufus Reid, and George Russell.
Gabriel made several TV appearances on Colombian TV since an early age through his teens performing
both solo and with his band. Gabriel has participated in Jazz festivals in Europe, Colombia, and USA
such as Ploiesti Jazz Festival (Romania) Angel City Jazz Festival, Red Hook Jazz Festival, Cape Cod Jazz
Festival, John Coltrane Memorial Concert, Lily Pad Piano Festival, IAJE Jazz Convention, KoSA Festival,
Ravinia Festival, UIS International Piano Festival, Jazz al Parque, and performed in important venues
such as Birdland Jazz Club, Jazz Gallery, Smalls Jazz Club, Regattabar, Scullers Jazz Club, Hard Rock
Cafe, ShapeShifter Lab, Greenwich House Inc, as well as taught clinics at Berklee College of Music, New
England Conservatory, and Universities in Colombia such as EAFIT University, Universidad Industrial de
Santander among others.
Gabriel is deeply attracted to the idea of unpredictability and surprise in jazz, which he feels is
absolutely critical to artistic expression. Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi appreciates this adventurous quality
in Gabriel’s playing. ” Gabriel Guerrero brings fresh ideas to his music, he says, When I think he is going
left he goes right and when I think he is going right he goes left. He always surprises me, which I love.
He brings his Latin Culture to the music in his own inventive way. He is a real improviser.”