Nuevo Comienzo by Oscar Perez

Performed with Greg Glassman, Stacy Dillard, Anthony Perez, Angel Desai, Emiliano Valerio and special guests Wycliffe Gordon and Peter Berstein, this album is a wonderful collective work.

Perez blends his Latin rhythmic Cuban roots and American jazz with high skill. This young man is always searching for musical explorations and new ways to combine compositional forms.

The release of these tracks show a great interplay inside the group. Notable is trumpeter Greg Glassman, who sets a wonderful groove. Wycliffe Gordon and Stacy Dillard hold down the fort while Oscar Perez explores the piece, Baile de K.

Anthony Perez and Stancy Dillard create a great exchange of swing while the piano explores the tune Hilltop Arrival with an upbeat mood. Brilliant are the voices of Gordon on trombone and Dillard playing the saxophones on Borrowed n Blue On this, Oscar Perez adds a degree of tension which allows a great solo from Gasman's trumpet.

Already popular in South America where his compositions, groups and styles are admired, Oscar Perez travels with his Latin rhythms even as far as Siberia He knows where and when to spark the salsa's heat when cooking with Latin jazz!

Not only is Oscar Perez a musician very active on the New York scene, closely associated with The Colden Center, The Juilliard School and Jazz at Lincoln Center, but he is also the music director of the St Edward's Church in Harlem. His voice fits very well in many contexts, which proves his dexterity and passion for his art.

Nuevo Comienzo offers a broad range of styles coming close to near-perfection and intensity.

Biography

Pianist Oscar Perez, a New York City native, has shared the stage with jazz legends Bunky Green, George Russell, Curtis Fuller, and George Garzone. He received his formal education at New England Conservatory and Aaron Copland School of Music under the guidance of Danilo Perez and Sir Roland Hanna, respectively.

Since moving back to New York, he has spent recent years traveling and playing in the musical groups of trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, saxophonist Felipe Salles, trombonist Steve Turre, vocalist Cathy Elliott and vibraphonist Christian Tamburr with whom he has a new recording.

In addition to employment as a jazz pianist, he toured with vocalist Phoebe Snow performing in venues such as The Theatre at Madison Square Garden and Webster Hall. Television appearances include a taping of The Rosanne Show with special guest Michael McDonald.

Recently, he has been appointed music director for St Edward's Church in Harlem, N.Y. as well as accompanist for the Nightingale/Bamford Gospel Choir.

Latest travels have included Colombia, South America; Costa Rica; the AgraJazz Festival on the Azores Islands of Portugal and a month long tour throughout Russia including Moscow and Siberia.

His close association with the Colden Center, the Juilliard School and Jazz at Lincoln Center has provided him many teaching and performance opportunities with some of the world's most innovative musicians such as Victor Goines and Wessel Anderson. In addition to sideman work, he can be seen locally with his own quartet which he fronts with vocalist Angel Desai.

His latest endeavor entitled NUEVO COMIENZO employs an instrumental quintet of extraordinary New York based artists. The sound draws from latin and jazz music to explore innovative arrangements.

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