Wed Oct 2
Feat.:
Alex Norris - Trumpet
Roman Filiu - Alto Sax
Jacob Garchik - Trombone
Peter Slavov - A. Bass
Santiago Bosch - Piano
Julian Meltinberger - Drums
a percussion colourist of great distinction... leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all – his understanding of instrumental timbre...” –Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018.
Hailing from Venezuelan Andes, Fran Vielma is a critically acclaimed and award-winning multi-percussionist, composer, and educator. His continuous research on the rhythms of America, and beyond, is integrated with his attraction to concert music and the freedom of jazz.
Vielma recently premiered his suite “Common Grounds” at SFJAZZ commissioned by the prestigious Chamber Music America - New Jazz Works and has been a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellow since 2019. Additionally, has been a Jazz Road Tours Grantee by South Arts.
His first album “Inesperado,” was part of a catalog for the label Cacao Music along with renown artists such as Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jose Quintana “Changuito,” and Negroni’s trio among others.
He has been touring the continent with his start-studded Venezuelan Jazz Collective since 2019; “Tendencias,” his latest release, includes Vielma’s original works and arrangements and was included in the Best of 2018 lists by Downbeat, Latin Jazz Network, & NYC Jazz Record.
His versatility as a performer of different genres has involved him in concerts, recordings, tours, and festivals around the world with artist such as John Medeski, George Garzone, Paul Winter, Bob Moses, Simon Phillips, Antonio Sanchez, Randy Brecker, Army Blues Band, and Luis Enrique to name a few.
Fran was recently appointed by Peabody Jazz Department of the Johns Hopkins University and has been World Music faculty at Salem State University, MA, artist resident at Florida University, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Baltimore School of Arts, and Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra among others. Additionally, directs the Hidden Treasure Music Workshop, and the Fran Vielma Jazz Orchestra.