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On this episode of The Art of the Story, Christian McBride talks about why he's thrilled José James will be performing at the 2025 Montclair Jazz Festival

“Mr. Valera is often relentless and blistering at the keyboard, but a shape-shifting melodicism is embedded in everything he plays.” —The New York Times

Acclaimed jazz pianist Manuel Valera brings his formidable trio to Zinc for a splendid evening of jazz piano on Tuesday, September 6. He’s supported by Hamish Smith on bass and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums.

Based in New York City, Grammy-nominated artist, pianist, and composer Manuel Valera was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Since arriving in NYC, he has become well known in the NYC 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, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John Benitez, Samuel Torres, Joel Frahm, Yosvany Terry among many others.

Valera is also the leader of his working band Manuel Valera and the New Cuban Express, a project deeply influenced by the experiments of Cuban artists from the 70s and 80s. While inspired by artists Irakere, Emiliano Salvador, and AfroCuba, this touring band creates a unique and distinctive style that mixes elements of Jazz, R&B, fusion, and funk with Cuban music styles. Expectativas (MAVO 2013) is the follow-up and seventh recording as a leader to his 2013 Grammy-nominated New Cuban Express (MAVO 2012) which was up for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year.

His critically acclaimed debut cd in 2004 Forma Nueva (MAVO) features John Patitucci, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez Bill Stewart, and Seamus Blake. Historia (Fresh Sounds New Talent 2005), a jazz quartet with Antonio Sanchez, Seamus Blake, and Ben Street. His third release, Melancolia (MAVO 2006)—employs a string quartet incorporating world rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom. Vientos (Anzic 2007), representing a new working quartet, features bassist James Genus, drummer Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Joel Frahm, and a woodwind quartet. His fifth trio recording Currents (MaxJazz 2009) features Ernesto Simpson and James Genus.

In addition, he has been awarded several grants for composition, most notably Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works and the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. Manuel has traveled the world performing in over 30 countries at some of the biggest international venues and festivals.

Showtimes are at 7:00 PM and 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25 advance / $30 day of show. For more info, visit http://zincjazzcom.

“Mr. Valera is often relentless and blistering at the keyboard, but a shape-shifting melodicism is embedded in everything he plays.” —The New York Times

Acclaimed jazz pianist Manuel Valera brings his formidable trio to Zinc for a splendid evening of jazz piano on Tuesday, September 6. He’s supported by Hamish Smith on bass and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums.

Based in New York City, Grammy-nominated artist, pianist, and composer Manuel Valera was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Since arriving in NYC, he has become well known in the NYC 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, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John Benitez, Samuel Torres, Joel Frahm, Yosvany Terry among many others.

Valera is also the leader of his working band Manuel Valera and the New Cuban Express, a project deeply influenced by the experiments of Cuban artists from the 70s and 80s. While inspired by artists Irakere, Emiliano Salvador, and AfroCuba, this touring band creates a unique and distinctive style that mixes elements of Jazz, R&B, fusion, and funk with Cuban music styles. Expectativas (MAVO 2013) is the follow-up and seventh recording as a leader to his 2013 Grammy-nominated New Cuban Express (MAVO 2012) which was up for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year.

His critically acclaimed debut cd in 2004 Forma Nueva (MAVO) features John Patitucci, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez Bill Stewart, and Seamus Blake. Historia (Fresh Sounds New Talent 2005), a jazz quartet with Antonio Sanchez, Seamus Blake, and Ben Street. His third release, Melancolia (MAVO 2006)—employs a string quartet incorporating world rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom. Vientos (Anzic 2007), representing a new working quartet, features bassist James Genus, drummer Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Joel Frahm, and a woodwind quartet. His fifth trio recording Currents (MaxJazz 2009) features Ernesto Simpson and James Genus.

In addition, he has been awarded several grants for composition, most notably Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works and the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. Manuel has traveled the world performing in over 30 countries at some of the biggest international venues and festivals.

Showtimes are at 7:00 PM and 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25 advance / $30 day of show. For more info, visit http://zincjazzcom.

The WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series returns with three concerts at area venues, featuring Reggie Workman, Calvin Johnson, Elio Villafranca and Riza Printup.

On this episode of The Art of the Story, author David Hanna talks about why jazz is a big part of his book History Nation

On this episode of The Art of the Story, WBGO's Gary Walker chats with Eli Yamin about his Jazz Power Initiative

On this episode of The Art of the Story from the WBGO Archive, legendary announcer Michael Bourne chats with Diana Krall at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2014

On this episode of The Art of the Story, Yunie Mojica talks to WBGO's Brian Delp about this year's 2025 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival lineup

Trumpeter and composer Roy Hargrove, who died in 2018 at 49, is best known for his unflappable command in small-group settings, including his sterling…

On this episode of The Art of the Story, Janis Burley Wilson presents the lineup at the 2025 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival