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ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards 2004/2005
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24, Brooklyn, NY
Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, Manuel Valera is at the forefront of contemporary modern jazz His work is fresh, inviting and evocative, and his goal is to forge innovative sounds that bring a vitality and newness to the idioms of jazz and Latin jazz. He is constantly workshopping musical ideas to develop new composition and arranging techniques that bring together Cuban, Puerto Rican, Brazilian and various jazz styles and forms.
In late October, just two days after his 23rd birthday, Manuel recorded his debut cd, Forma Nueva a modern jazz album of contemporary originals featuring John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Bill Stewart and Seamus Blake. Since its release in mid-November 2004, the album has received enthusiastic reviews from magazines including Billboard, Jazziz and LatinBeat among others.
Currently, Manuel leads a jazz/Latin project, which incorporates world rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom, featuring Antonio Sanchez (drums), Ben Street (bass), Seamus Blake (sax), Luisito Quintero (perc) and a string quartet. Last September Manuel recorded a new trio project entitled "Historia" featuring Ben Street (bass) and Antonio Sanchez (drums) as well as Seamus Blake (sax) on two tracks. This is being released on March 2005 on the Spanish label Fresh Sound New Talent.
The son of Cuban saxophonist Manuel Valera Senior, Manuel has played with Paquito D' Rivera, John Benitez, Donny McCaslin, Claudio Roditi, Bobby Sanabria, Giovanni Hildago, Dave Valentin, Nelson Gonzales, Juan Pablo Torres, William Cepeda, Eddie Gomez and the Machito Orchestra. Manuel has performed and recorded with salsa singer George Lamond and has tudied with Reggie Workman, George Garzone, Jane Ira Bloom, Gerard D'Angelo and Richie Bierach among others. He has performed at various jazz venues, including the Blue Note, Birdland, the 55 Bar, Sweet Rhythm, Smoke and the Deer Head Inn. Manuel graduated from Havana's Conservatory Manuel Saumell and from the New School University in New York City. Manuel won second place in the 2004 Great American Jazz Competition.
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