CV
Manuel Valera
Grammy Winning Artist | Pianist | Composter | Educator
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Education
Manuel Saumell Conservatory in Havana, Cuba
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 1998-2000
The New School, New York, NY 2000-2003
Bandleader Bio
Born and raised in Havana, Grammy nominated 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, Joel Frahm, Yosvany Terry and classical violin virtuoso Joshua Bell among many others.
This dynamic and prolific artist has recorded 13 cds as a bandleader with touring projects ranging from his Grammy nominated group New Cuban Express to his modern contemporary trio to solo piano.
Valera is the recipient of many composition grants — most notably 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.
Selected Grants, Commissions & Awards
Grammy Winning Musician, Dafnis Prietro Big Band, Back to the Sunset, 2018
Grammy Nominated Artist, New Cuban Express, 2012
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, Nine Stories for 2 pianos ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, 2005
Arrangements of Ernesto Lecuona and Gonzalo Roig for Joshua Bell and Orchestra for PBS Commission for Yosvany Terry Bohemian Trio, Impressionistic Romance and Impromptu Commission for Paquito D’Rivera with Jazz at Lincoln Center Big Band
Selected Teaching Experience/Masterclasses
New School for Social Research, New York, NY
New York University, New York, NY
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
JazzUV in Xalapa, Mexico
Tonica Jazz in Guadalajara, Mexico
Escuela Fernando Sor in Bogota, Colombia
American Music School in Paris, France
Accademia Musica Moderna, Modena, Italy
Centro Cultural Roberto Cantoral, Mexico City, Mexico
Stanford Jazz Workshop in Palo Alto, CA
Recordings as a Leader
Manuel Valera, Forma Nueva, 2004
Manuel Valera, Historia, 2005
Manuel Valera, Melancolia, 2006
Manuel Valera, Vientos, 2007
Manuel Valera, Currents, 2009
Manuel Valera & New Cuban Express, 2012
Manuel Valera & New Cuban Express, Expectativas, 2013
Manuel Valera, Self Portrait, 2014
Manuel Valera & New Cuban Express, In Motion, 2014
Manuel Valera Trio, Live at Firehouse 12, 2015
Manuel Valera & Groove Square, Urban Landscape, 2015
Manuel Valera Trio, The Seasons, 2017
Manuel Valera Trio, The Planets, 2017
Selected Work as Sideman - Tours/Recordings
Dafnis Prieto Si o Si, Sextet and Big Band
Jeff “Tain” Watts Quartet
Joel Frahm Quartet
Essiet Essiet Trio featuring Jeff Tain Watts
Yosvany Terry (multiple groups)
Clarence Penn and Penn Station
John Benitez Group
Lenny White Quartet
Carlos Henriquez (multiple groups)
Arturo Sandoval Sextet
Paquito D’Rivera Duo and Group
Brian Lynch Spheres of Influence
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Samuel Torres Group