Born October 17, 1980. Instrument: Piano Cuban pianist and bandleader, composer, arranger, and composer, Manuel Valera is at the forefront of modern jazz. He is the next generation in great composers and performers. His music is unique, welcoming, and evocative. He hopes to bring new life and vitality to jazz and Latin jazz. He is always experimenting with new musical ideas and developing new compositional and arranging techniques to bring together Cuban and Puerto Rican jazz styles. He began his musical education at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory in Havana, where he studied classical saxophone. Valera began playing the piano after emigrating to America in December 1994. While enrolled at the New School’s jazz program, Valera began to compose in 2000. He also studied with Reggie Workman and George Garzone. Valera’s debut and critically acclaimed CD, “Forma Nueva”, was recorded in October 2003, two days after his 23rd Birthday. It features bassist John Patitucci and drummers Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Bill Stewart, and Seamus Blake, on saxophones. “Forma Nueva”, which received national radio airplay, was well-received in jazz and music publications Billboard, Jazztimes and Jazziz, All Music Guide, Latin Beat, and other media. He recorded “Historia”, a second album for Fresh Sounds New Talent, in which he featured Ben Street (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums), and Seamus Blake (sax). His most recent recording, “Melancolia”, was released in March 2006. It features Antonio Sanchez (drums), Seamus Blake(sax), Seamus Street (bass), Seamus Moore (sax), Luisito Quitero (perc), and a string quartet. This project fuses classical concepts and Latin rhythms in jazz. Valera returned to the studio in June 2006 to record “Numerico”, featuring Ernesto Simpson on drums, and Hans Glawishnig as bass. The trio’s recording, which features a variety of original compositions, is due to be released in early 2007. Valera is currently based in New York City and has previously played with Paquito d’ Rivera and Brian Lynch.
