GABRIEL GUERRERO - Surca Music

20120901_0769 Critically acclaimed pianist/composer Gabriel Guerrero comes from a new generation of contemporary musicians emerging in the Jazz scene. Addressing music for its drive, direction and roots rather than styles, Gabriel has gone from South American rhythms, Contemporary Improvisation, Avant Garde to the traditions of Be-Bop and Jazz. Gabriel exalts his music with a high understanding of its roots bringing his experience and diversity to the table. Born in Colombia and based in New York City for almost sixteen years, Gabriel began his classical training at age five, giving concerts and TV appearances at age nine, Gabriel have performed in Jazz Festivals in South America, USA, Asia and is a high demand musician in the scene today.

” Gabriel is a real improviser ” – Jerry Bergonzi

On 2012 “FEYAS” is the new released album on Surca Music, featuring seven original songs and 2 arrangements. Musicians on the album include the Gabriel Guerrero Trio featuring Jorge Roeder-bass, Eric Doob-drums, plus other line ups including Jerry Bergonzi-sax, Bruce Gertz-bass, Samuel Torres-percussion among others. The album contains songs with Colombian rhythms such as Porro, Bullerengue, as well as contemporary jazz songs showcasing Guerrero’s strong intellect and versatility on his writing and arranging. All About Jazz review of the album says, “He is well on his way to staking out a claim as one of the rising pianists in contemporary jazz.”As a sideman Gabriel can be heard on the recently released Bruce Gertz Quintet recordings “Reptilian Fantasies” and “It Wasn’t Me” featuring Jerry Bergonzi, and “Panama Suite” (Artist Share 2008) by the Danilo Perez Big Band featuring Danilo Perez on electric piano and Gabriel on acoustic piano plus a 19-piece big band.

“Truly a freethinker bringing diversity to the stage” – Anthony D.J Branker

He has performed with Paquito D’ Rivera, Dave Holland, Steve Coleman, Roy Hargrove, George Garzone, Mike Mainieri, Esperanza Spalding, Adam Nusbaum, Dafnis Prieto, John Riley, Mike Clark, Bob Moses, Michael Spiro, Anthony Branker, Gregg Bissonette, Michael Wimberley, Jamey Haddad, and recently performing regular gigs with the Jerry Bergonzi and the Bruce Gertz Quartets.He has also put together various musical projects such as SURCA, a multi-cultural quartet dedicated to expanding on South American rhythms and avant-garde jazz.

“A dazzling pyrotechnician and accomplished composer” -Jazz Times

In Colombia, Gabriel studied classical piano from age five before moving to New York in 1998 to study at Hunter College winning the Concerto/Aria Competition performing Mozarts Piano Concerto K444 with the Hunter Symphony Orchestra. In year 2000 Gabriel won a scholarship to study at The New England Conservatory earning both a Bachelors and a Masters degree studying with Danilo Perez, Steve Lacy, Fred Hersch, Jerry Bergonzi, and Charlie Banacos. In 2004, Gabriel was selected along with other fourteen musicians from the United States to be part of The Steans Institute for Young Artists Jazz Program at Ravinia Festival. Other teachers include with Ran Blake, James Moody, Rufus Reid, George Russell, and Joe Lovano.

“One of our most talented performers and composers”-Steve Lacy

Gabriel made several TV appearances on Colombian TV since age nine through his teens performing solo piano and later on performing with his Quartet in 1998. He has appeared in Boston public TV several times as part of Sofia Rei Kutsovitis band, and performing with Danilo Perez Big Band in a live radio broadcast on PBS. Gabriel has participated in Jazz festivals in Colombia, and USA such as Angel City Jazz Festival, Red Hook Jazz Festival, Cape Cod Jazz Festival, John Coltrane Memorial Concert, Lily Pad Piano Festival, IAJE Jazz Convention, KoSA Festival, Ravinia Festival, UIS International Piano Festival, Jazz al Parque, Festival de Musica El Nogal, and performed in important venues such as Jazz Gallery, Smalls Jazz Club, Regattabar, Scullers Jazz Club, ShapeShifter Lab, Greenwich House , Inc, Outpost Performance Space, Ibeam, Jordan Hall, Sala de Conciertos Luis Angel Arango, Luis A. Calvo Concert Hall, as well as taught clinics at Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and Universities in Colombia such as EAFIT University, Escuela Fernando Sor, Centro de Educacion Musical de Bucaramanga, Universidad Industrial de Santander among others.

“Guerrero firmly establishes his voice here as he adds to the remarkably growing literature of Latin American instrumental music.” – Latin Jazz Network

Gabriel is deeply attracted to the idea of unpredictability and surprise in jazz, which he feels is absolutely critical to artistic expression. Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi appreciates this adventurous quality in Gabriel’s playing. ” Gabriel Guerrero brings fresh ideas to his music, he says, When I think he is going left he goes right and when I think he is going right he goes left. He always surprises me, which I love. He brings his Latin Culture to the music in his own inventive way. He is a real improviser.”

“Guerrero blends classical with modern, striking a perfect balance”-Jazz Review

HONORS AND AWARDS:

UIS Award, XXXI UIS International Piano Festival – Bucaramanga, Colombia – 2014
ASCAP Plus Award – New York, NY – 2013
Certificate Outstanding Service to Jazz Education, IAJE International Association of Jazz Education – New York, NY – 2006
NEC Merit Award, The New England Conservatory of Music – Boston, MA 2004
NEC Scholarship, The New England Conservatory of Music – Boston, MA 2000-2004, 2004-2006
NEC Grant, The New England Conservatory of Music – Boston, MA 2001-2004
Fellowship, Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute – Highland Park, IL 2004
Scholarship, Berklee College of Music – Boston, MA 2000
Scholarship, Hunter College – The City University of New York – New York, NY 2000
First Prize, Concerto/Aria Competition – New York, NY 1999
First Prize, Silver Moon Festival – Bogota, Colombia 1995
Scholarship, Manhattan School of Music – New York, NY 1992