Some musicians are always ranked in the “beyond” categories of the magazine polls. These musicians are often in a niche of music and have few peers who can make one category for their particular instrumental talent. Victor Prieto is one of those musicians. Grammy winner Victor Prieto has been called “A fiendishly skilled accordionist, composer”, and “One of the finest World music and Jazz accordionists today” by The New York Times. By revolutionizing sound and technique, Prieto has transformed the perception of accordion among musicians and audiences (Chord approach on each hand). His passion for Galician music and classical education enables him to create explosive rhythm and vibrant colors that combine Galician Roots and Celtic music with jazz, Brazilian, Jazz, Tango and Classical music. Victor continues to collaborate on world stages with Yo Yo Ma (Songs of Joy and Peace and Sony BMG Masterworks). “2010 Grammy Winning album”), Arturo O’Farrill, Cristina Pato and The Maria Schneider Orchestra. Valinor Quartet (“Second Half”) 2014 Grammy Nominated album), Paquito D’Rivera. Chris Cheek, Christian Howes Group. He is a teacher at US Berklee College of Music and has taught master classes in “Playing outside of the Box”, Spain Italy, Portugal, and the Brooklyn Conservatory’s jazz accordion program. Victor has won many awards and prizes, including the Creative Performer award from Spanish Association of Artists and Performers and the Concourse of Composition first prize from CMZK. Victor Prieto has a degree in jazz accordion performance from Berklee College of Music. He also holds a diploma in classical accordion form Ourense – Spain Conservatory. Berklee College of Music doesn’t offer classes that focus on accordion, so he is the only person to have a specialization in jazz accordion studies. Victor was unaffected by these circumstances and created his own program using the knowledge of Berklee educators to study the accordion. His students are internationally recognized teachers and accordionists. Viktorprieto.net
