Manuel Valera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Valera
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Valera in 2024
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | October 17, 1980 Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano, keyboards |
| Labels | Mavo |
| Associated acts | Dafnis Prieto, Arturo Sandoval, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Paquito D'Rivera |
Manuel Valera (born October 17, 1980) is a talented Cuban musician. He is known for playing the piano and composing jazz music.
Contents
Manuel Valera's Life Story
Valera was born in Havana, Cuba, a beautiful island country. He graduated from South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida. In 2000, he moved to New York City, USA, to study music at New School University.
Musical Influences and Collaborations
Manuel's piano playing is inspired by famous jazz pianists. These include Bill Evans, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett. He has worked with many well-known musicians. These include Dafnis Prieto, Arturo Sandoval, and Paquito D'Rivera. He often plays with their bands. Other musicians he has worked with are Brian Lynch, Yosvany Terry, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Lenny White.
Manuel Valera's Music Albums
Manuel Valera has released many albums as a band leader. This means he is in charge of the music and the musicians.
Early Albums
His first album, Forma Nueva, came out in 2004. It featured great musicians like bassist John Patitucci. Drummers Bill Stewart and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez also played on it. Saxophonist Seamus Blake was part of this album too. Between 2005 and 2007, he released more albums. These were Historia, Melancolia, and Vientos. These albums featured drummers Antonio Sanchez and Ernesto Simpson. Saxophonists Seamus Blake and Joel Frahm also played. Bassists Ben Street and James Genus and percussionist Luis Quintero were also involved. In 2009, he released Currents. This was a trio recording with James Genus and Ernesto Simpson. It was also his first album with the Maxjazz record label.
Recent Works and Awards
After taking a break from leading his own bands, Manuel focused on playing with other musicians. In 2012, he released New Cuban Express. This album featured Yosvany Terry on saxophone and John Benitez on bass. Tom Guarna played guitar, Eric Doob played drums, and Mauricio Herrera played percussion. This album was very successful. It earned him a nomination for a 2013 Grammy Award. It was nominated in the "Best Latin Jazz Album" category.
Albums as a Leader
Here is a list of albums where Manuel Valera was the main artist:
- Forma Nueva (2004, Mavo)
- Historia (2005, Fresh Sound)
- Melancolia (2006, Mavo)
- Vientos (2007, Anzic Records)
- Currents (2009, Maxjazz)
- New Cuban Express (2012, Mavo)
- Expectativas (2013, CD Baby)
- Self Portrait (2014, CD Baby)
- In Motion (2014, Criss Cross Jazz)
- Live at Firehouse 12 (2015, CD Baby)
- Urban Landscapes (2015, Destiny Records)
- The Seasons (2017, Mavo Records)
- The Planets (2018, Mavo Records)
- Jose Martin en Nueva York (2020, Greenleaf music)
- Distancia (2022, Greenleaf Music)
- Vessel (2023, Criss Cross Jazz)
- Rise Again Vol 1 (2024, Mavo Records)
- Nevermind Tomorrow (2024, Mavo Records)
Albums as a Sideman
Manuel Valera has also played on many albums as a sideman. This means he played with another artist's band.
- with Dafnis Prieto – The Sooner The Better
- with Dafnis Prieto – Si o Si Quartet Live at the Jazz Standard
- with Brain Lynch – Conclave, Vol. 2
- with John Benitez – Purpose
- with Oscar Feldman – Oscar E Familia
- with Samuel Torres – Yaounde
- with Dana Lauren – It's You or No One
Awards and Recognitions
Manuel Valera has received many awards for his musical talent:
- He was a finalist in the Great American Jazz Competition in 2004 and 2006.
- He received the ASCAP Young Composers Award in 2005 and 2006.
- He was nominated as an "Up & Coming Musician of the Year" by the Jazz Journalists Association.
- He received the Chamber Music America New Works Award in 2007, 2013, and 2017.
- His album New Cuban Express was nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award.
- In 2019, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship for musical composition.
