Diego Urcola, a three-time Grammy nominee, was born in Buenos Aires. He has been a member since 1991 of the Paquito D’Rivera Quintet. The trumpeter is also a popular performer who regularly plays with Jimmy Heath, the Caribbean Jazz Project, and the Dizzy Gilpie Alumni All-Star Big Band. Urcola began his musical studies at age 9 in the Music Department at Colegio Ward, where his father Ruben was the director. In 1988, he was awarded the title Profesor Nacional de Musica by the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica. The scholarship granted him the opportunity to study abroad and he moved to Boston to attend the Berklee College for Music. He received his diploma in 1990 with an emphasis on Jazz Performance. He moved to New York less than a year later and quickly established himself as one the most talented and versatile young artists in the city. He never looked back. His association with D’Rivera’s diverse projects started almost immediately after he arrived. He began to work with other well-known musicians. He toured in the 1990s with Slide Hampton, the great trombonist/arranger, in a band the bandleader called “The Jazz Masters”. After Dizzy Gillespie’s passing, Urcola toured extensively as part of the United Nations Orchestra led by D’Rivera. Wynton Marsalis also worked with Urcola, and he performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra during the 1996 Olympic Games. Urcola was already starting to run his own bands and receiving calls every day. He decided to add music education to his appearances. He received his master’s in Jazz Performance at Queens College in New York in 1997. This school is known for its well-respected jazz program, which was headed by Jimmy Heath. Urcola also won second place at the 1997 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition. The honor made Urcola a more well-known performer. Urcola was given key assignments by players who were a generation older than him over the next few years. Joe Henderson, a late saxophonist, invited Urcola to join his band. Steve Turre, trombonist, also accepted the invitation. He was currently leading “Sanctified Shells,” an unusual ensemble that focuses on conch shells. Urcola also worked with Wayne Shorter on a TV special entitled “The 2nd Annual Celebration of America’s Music.” In 1998, Bill Cosby hosted the special broadcast. Urcola’s exceptional technique served him well. Milt Jackson, the late vibraphonist asked Urcola to join a big band that featured all-star stars. One year later, Urcola joined the International Vamp Band, an organization founded by Avishai Cohen, a legendary bass player. Urcola’s star soared in the two years that followed. Urcola was part of the D’Rivera quintette in 2001 and earned a Latin Grammy. The following year Urcola worked with D’Rivera again to produce the film Calle 54, an acclaimed documentary about music. Under the Calle 54 All-Star Band banner, tours of Europe, the United States, and Latin America followed. When Urcola is not working with others, he often leads his own groups. In 1999, Urcola’s first album as a leader was Libertango (Fresh Sound). Soundances (Sunnyside) was released in 2003 to critical acclaim and received nominations for both the Latin Grammys 2004 and 2005 Grammy Awards. His third album, Viva (Cam Jazz), was released in 2006 and nominated to the 2007 Grammys. It marks a pivotal moment in his full-fledged career. This recording features a core group that would make any jealous. Edward Simon leads a rhythm section that also includes Avishai Cohen, drummer Antonio Sanchez, and bassist Avishai. Pernell Saturnino adds percussion. D’Rivera can be heard on some cuts, as well as Dave Samuels (and Jimmy Heath). Conrad Herwig, master trombonist, is the final piece to the puzzle. It has been noted on Viva that there is a vibrant sense of experimentation. Urcola stated that one of his goals was to incorporate his homeland’s voice in the jazz idiom. He said that he likes to add the tango flavour from his country into the mix, but added, “But, I’m first and foremost a jazz musician.” 2006 was marked by significant events. Funk Tango, the debut album of D’Rivera’s record label, sees Urcola playing the valve trombone on a few tracks. Claudio Roditti used to play this instrument in the original groups Paquito formed when he arrived in New York City in early 1980’s. The valve trombone has been an integral part of Urcola’s arsenal since then, in both his own projects, Paquito’s Quintet and other groups such as Guillermo Klein’s Los Guachos. Urcola’s second project was recorded for CAM JAZZ in 2010. Appreciation features a quartet featuring Luis Perdomo (piano), Hans Glawischnig (bass) and Eric McPherson (drums). This allows Urcola to practice his trumpet skills and nine original compositions are dedicated to the greatest musicians of his life. From www.diegourcola.com
