Results for "Puerto Rico"

Neff Irizarry

Born: December 10, 1973

A highly talented composer, guitarist, author and educator specializing in Latin and contemporary jazz, Neff Irizarry follows in the footsteps of Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, and Steve Khan. His unique blend of progressive Latin Jazz displays Puerto Rican “Sabor” and a Nordic cool called “Sisu.”

Featured in The European Real Book (Sher Music Co., 2007), Neff has joined the ranks of the most esteemed European composers of jazz. And, with his works, Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar Vol. 1 and Vol. 2: Solos (Sher Music Co., 2021 & 2024), Neff has provided the most comprehensive books on Latin
Jazz Guitar ever written.

Manny Cepeda

Manny has been performing since the age of 7, first as the "Timbales Player" in the highly acclaimed variety TV "Show de Vigoreaux" in San Juan, Puerto Rico's Channel 4, and then with other famous bands such as "Babo Jimenez, Ricardo Ray, Willie Colon and others. Manny has performed at festivals and for dignitaries throughout South America, Africa, and Europe. His passion and love for music was developed as a young boy and is rooted in a rich family history of musical professionals from the famous “Cepeda” family. His musical experience of over 50 years makes him a fountain of knowledge in the Latin Music genre

Uziel Colon

Born: March

Uziel Colón is a pianist, arranger, and composer whose remarkable talent has earned him a well-established name as a prominent musician in the music industry. Throughout the years, his passion for music has driven him to reach new heights in his musical career, giving him the opportunity to perform with many great names including renowned percussionist Eguie Castrillo, legendary vibraphonist Victor Mendoza, percussionists Giovanni Hidalgo and Marc Quiñones, trumpet players Greg Hopkins and Humberto Ramirez, and accomplished bassists Oscar Stagnaro, Oskar Cartaya, and Abraham Laboriel. 

Brenda Hopkins Miranda

Born: July 14

Brenda Hopkins Miranda was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is currently doing trio (piano, bass and drums), quartet (piano, guitar, bass and drums) and piano solo concerts. Having grown up with the sounds that encompass Puerto Rican and Caribbean music, she has continued to expand her essence by adding soul, blues, funk, jazz, classical, bluegrass, rock, flamenco and all sorts of multicultural influences. Her music is influenced and inspired by a diverse list of artists that includes Radiohead, Nina Simone, Robert Plant, GoGo Penguin, The Chemical Brothers, Melody Gardot, Avishai Cohen and Nik Bärtsch. As a bandleader Hopkins Miranda has released six recordings of original music on her BHM label: “Boricua on Board,” (1998) “Bohemia,” (1999), “Recuerdos de Granada/Memoirs of Granada.” (2009), "Simple" (2012), "Aeropiano" (2014) and "Puentes" (2017). Brenda is known for her expressive sensibilities, daring compositions, powerful grooves and fearless improvisations

Joan Torres

Bassist and composer Joan Torres has lead the Jazz Fusion ensemble All Is Fused since 2011. With 3 albums released to date, multiple award nominations, and the Vox Pop award for the Fusion Album category of the 14th Annual IMAs, the ensemble has been described as going "far beyond complex musical ideas managing to weave in a true sonic narrative" in their music (Music News 2016). Throughout several releases they have appealed to genre and non-genre fans alike. Since childhood, Torres grew as a musician, developing a deep interest for Jazz music that has guided his compositions for over a decade

Miguel Zenon: Tipico

by Mark Corroto
February 7, 2017

The saying “like butta" comes to mind when listening to the alto of saxophonist Miguel Zenón. His tone has the consistency of velvety cream, with nary a sour note. Hearing him in the context of his long-standing quartet, we get something like the voguish bulletproof coffee, which consists of butter, whipped into your favorite cup of ...

Fidel Morales: Omío

by James Nadal
August 31, 2016

There is a saying, that Cuba and Puerto Rico are two wings from the same dove. This could not be more evident than in the musical collaborations and cultural exchanges which have historically united both islands, and their people. Fidel Morales is a native Cuban who since 2006 has secured the drum chair in the Jazz ...

Conjunto Sabrosura: Hecho En Puerto Rico

by James Nadal
June 6, 2016

Salsa music is intended for dancing. Long before festivals and concerts became the norm, this music was spawned in nightclubs where people went to dance. The virtuosity of the musicians was taken for granted, and they were expected to deliver an established set of no-nonsense entertainment for the paying customers. Conjunto Sabrosura is an intense salsa ...

Miramar: Dedication To Sylvia Rexach

by James Nadal
May 31, 2016

The modern Latin-American bolero (romantic ballad) of Spanish heritage, originated from the Cuban trova. Mexico influenced the genre with numerous prolific trios recording boleros, gaining an international audience. Its popularity spread with the development of cinema and phonograph records, reaching a zenith between the 1930's and 1960's. Puerto Rico was not immune to this musical phenomenon, ...

Cafêzz: Sol Boricua

by James Nadal
April 30, 2016

Coffee was introduced by the Spanish to the island of Puerto Rico in the mid 1700's, it's history coinciding with the hybridized Spanish/African musical entity which has come to define the island. The local jazz ensemble Cafêzz based their name and repertoire around coffee inspired themes--releasing “Music & Friends," in 2014-- and on Sol Boricua they ...