Take Five With Abdiel Flores

Meet Abdiel Flores:
Currently, Abdiel Flores is premiering his first soloist production El cuida de mia. It is a compilation of traditional hymns harmonized and arranged with jazz influences and Latin rhythms. Musicians with great experience in the jazz genre, such as Ramon Vazquez, Leobadis Gonzalez, Isaac Lausell, Elias Santos, and Jan Carlos Artime have contributed to this production.

Instrument(s):
Alto saxophone.

Teachers and/or influences?
Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez, Eddie Gomez.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I saw my father playing in church.

Your sound and approach to music:
Jazz with gospel and Latin flavor.

Your teaching approach:
Practice and patience.

Your dream band:
Brian Blade, Luis Perdomo, Jim Hall and Dave Holland.

Road story: Your best or worst experience:
Best experience: Every time I hear a testimony of how music has been a channel for people to know God.

Favorite venue:
Every church I go to!

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
Miles Davis' 58 Sessions —love the vibe!

The first Jazz album I bought was:
Grover Washington, Jr., All My Tomorrows.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
Bringing in a Latin jazz flavor to old hymns.

Did you know...
My first instrument was the drums.

CDs you are listening to now:
Aaron Goldberg and Guillermo Klein. Bienestan.

Desert Island picks:
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue;

Mles Davis, 58 Sessions;

Grover Washington , Jr., All My Tomorrows;

Miguel Zenon, Awake;

David Sanchez, Obsession.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
Evolution state.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Keep listening!

What is in the near future?
Compose original music.

By Day:
Graphic and web designer.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
Teacher or scientist.


Photo Credit
Courtesy of Abdiel Flores

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