Manuel Valera Trio

Manuel Valera Trio

Born and raised in Havana, Grammy nominated, Guggenheim Fellow, pianist and composer Manuel Valera since arriving in NYC has become well known in the modern jazz scene, garnering national reviews and lending his talents as a pianist and composer to such notable artists as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Brian Lynch, Dafnis Prieto, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John Benitez, Samuel Torres, Yosvany Terry and classical violin virtuoso Joshua Bell among many others. In 2020 Valera joined Steve Smith’s legendary music group Vital Information.

This dynamic and prolific artist has recorded 18 cds as a bandleader with touring projects ranging from his Grammy nominated group New Cuban Express to his modern contemporary trio, solo piano and the New Cuban Express Big Band.

Valera is the recipient of many composition grants — most notably a 2019 Guggenheim Fellowship, Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works three different times, the Dranoff International 2 Piano Foundation 2 times and the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. He has travelled the world performing in more than 30 countries at some of the biggest international venues and festivals in the world.

Grammy Nominated Artist, New Cuban Express, 2012
Guggenheim Fellowship 2019
Chamber Music America New Jazz Works 2005, Impressions of Expressions
Chamber Music America New Jazz Works 2014, José Marti en Nueva York
Chamber Music America New Jazz Works 2017, The Planets
Dranoff International 2 Piano Foundation 2016 Bacardi Commission, Migrant Voyage Dranoff International 2 Piano Foundation 2018 Commission, Centenario
ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, 2005
Commissioned by Joshua Bell and Orchestra for PBS Commission for
Commissioned by Yosvany Terry Bohemian Trio, Impressionistic Romance and Impromptu
Commission by Paquito D’Rivera with Jazz at Lincoln Center Big Band and his Sextet

Manuel Valera – piano
Hamish Smith - bass
Varun Das – drums

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