I was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Moved to England when I was a preteen! Been living in London for 9 years now.
The piano’s always been my preferred method of expression. I love it because with just one instrument you can almost craft a whole world of sound, almost as if I have an orchestra at my fingertips!
Over the years I’ve taken inspiration from a lot of different Pianists and composers. In jazz I’d say Count Basie, The Duke, Oscar Peterson, Brad Mehldau, Taylor Eigsti and Christian Sands first come to mind. In the Latin Jazz world I’d say people like Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Eddie Palmieri and Michel Camilo are my go to. Richard Bona is also an honorable mention.
However I also take a lot of inspiration from classical music (Chopin, Ravel, Bach), and most importantly, Venezuelan Folk composers/bands such as Simon Diaz, Guaco, El Pollo Brito and C4 Trio. Other genres such as Calypso and Soca have been very influential for me as well.
As a Pianist, a big highlight for me has been working with Soho Live Music Club for the past two years, working as their resident artist, giving me the opportunity the craft my own solo set - the team has been incredible, I love them to bits! Leading the NYJO Latin Collective and working with NYJO has also been awesome and constructive for my career.
As a composer, winning the international William Mathias Composition award (Bangor, Wales) for my piece “Distortions” was very memorable for me, as well as having one of my pieces premiered for Prince Harry and Meghan.
My journey as a Steel Pan Player/ drummer has also been a highlight, playing first back in West Sussex for Sussex Steel, and later Ebony Steel Band - playing at Notting Hill Carnival and Panorama is always great fun!
We’re a dark horse in the Latin Jazz world for sure - the deeper you get into the scene the more you realize how many different projects there are going on. What I can say is that they’ve all been very welcoming, I feel like I’m very well looked after by my friends & peers in the scene, they’ve become like family to me. So many of these amazing artists who’ve been here decades before me have paved the way for me to innovate and showcase my own sound within this diverse scene!
I’m currently working on an album of original music, some of which will be performed for the first time at the Soho Jazz Fest! I hope to bring my own flavours to the scene and leave my mark on the music world, helping bring Jazz and Latin Jazz music to the forefront!
