ARUÁN ORTIZ, piano
LOGAN RICHARDSON, saxophone
YUNIOR TERRY, double bass
MARC MIRALTA, drums
The Aruan Ortiz & Afro-Cuban Experience is an international quartet lead by ”one of the most versatile and exciting pianists of hisgeneration”, the Cuban pianist and composer Aruan Ortiz, featuring some of the most forward-thinking, creative musicians coming from the new generation of Cuban jazz, such as the bassist, Yunior Terry, the drummer Marc Miralta, along with the up and coming young saxophone player star from New York, Logan Richardson.
Their music is a moving tribute to Caribbean music and contemporary composition through jazz improvisation. Blending Afro-American jazz language with contemporary classical music and Cuban-Haitian folkloric rhythms, it is a true example of this group’s multi-cultural musical heritage. The group’s concept expands stylistic boundaries and infuses a new approach never before conceived in modern jazz. The result is a high-octane music, full of intensity and soulful touch, inspired by the traditions from the new world but looking forward at the sonic possibilities of the music of the moment.
ARUÁN ORTIZ
Aruan Ortiz is a critically acclaimed, Cuban pianist, an award-winning composer, and a solid producer and educator. Named ”the latest Cuban wunderkind to arrive in the United States” by BET Jazz, ”…one of the most versatile and exciting pianists of his generation…” by Downbeat Magazine, and ”one of the best new pianists to come to New York in recent memory” by Downtown Music Gallery, this classically trained violist and pianist from Santiago de Cuba considers himself ”a curious person who loves music”, and portrays his music as an architectural structure of sounds, incorporating contemporary classical music, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and improvisation in his compositions.
Before arriving in New York to play with the Wallace Roney Quintet (with whom he recorded two acclaimed albums), Aruan was one of the members of the Esperanza Spalding Trio on her debut album, Junjo (Ayva Music 2006). All About Jazz said: ”The trio has… splendid flashes of precision from pianist Aruan Ortiz who is excellent throughout”, and Jazz Music Blog praised: ”Aruan Ortiz… is a serious rising talent.” He has also played, toured, or recorded with Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jeremy Pelt, David Gilmore, Afro-HORN, Mingus Big Band, Cindy Blackman- Santana, Don Byron, Steve Turre, Lenny White, Oliver Lake, Andrew Cyrille, Henry Grimes, Greg Osby, among others.
Aruan has a very prolific career as a composer as well, his piece Santiarican Blues Suite, performed by the Camerata Urbana Ensemble and released as a CD by Sunnyside in 2012,, received 4.5 stars from Downbeat Magazine, which Latin Jazz Network said, ”This record by a very special artist will go down as one of the most significant works of music.”
He has received commissions from the Woodwind Quintet Ensemble of Santiago de Cuba, Musica de Camara Orchestra in New York City, Oyu Oro Folkloric Dance Company in New York City, YOUME & Milena Zullo Ballet in Rome, Jose Mateo Ballet Theater in Cambridge, MA; and University of Albany Symphony Orchestra in Albany, NY.
Currently he is the curator of the Music & Architectures Series at Zinc Bar, NYC featuring some of the most forward-thinking creative improvisers in the NY scene such as Andrew Cyrille, Don Byron, Henry Grimes, Oliver Lake, Sam Newsome, Fay Victor, among many others.
YUNIOR TERRY
Regarded as one of New York City most sought after bass players, Yunior Terry is recognized for his big sound, versatility and contagious rhythm. As the youngest son of one of Cuba’s most gifted musical families “Los Terry’s”, Yunior followed the tradition and began his musical training at age seven, graduating in 1994 from the prestigious National School of Art (ENA) in Havana with a double major in violin and bass. Soon after graduation he joined the National Philharmonic Orchestra, performing works of European and Cuban composers at the Havana’s National Theater. In 1998 Mr. Terry moved to California to attend The California Institute of Arts where he received his B.A. with honors in 2002. It was at Cal Arts where he continued to expand his musical horizon under Charlie Haden, Derek Oles (Poland), Rajeev Taranath (India) and Alfred Ladzekpo (Ghana) by exposing him to a wide variety of music and traditions from around the world. In 2009, Yunior Terry won the Van Lier Fellowships, awarded each year by Meet The Composer to active professionals, supporting the creation of new musical work and engagement in the community.
Yunior Terry has performed with Steve Coleman, Jerry Gonzales and Fort Apache, Lila Downs, Jeff Tain Watts, Eddie Palmieri, The late Hilton Ruiz, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Steve Turre, Jane Bunnett and his borther Yosvany Terry among many others. In addition to his occupied schedule as a sidemen, Terry leads his own band “Son de Altura”; releasing his first album as a leader ”Mi Bajo Danzón” published by Palo Santo Music.
LOGAN RICHARDSON
Concord Records Recording Artist, Logan Richardson, is a native son of Kansas City, Missouri, where he was born (1980) and raised. Logan Richardson is considered by top critics as a breath of fresh air for the future of music. A young star pushing the boundaries of music, carrying the torch of vitality for improvised music as a premier alto saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator.
Mr. Richardson is the next breed of musician as he is developing a way to bridge the gap between the typecasting viruses that has infiltrated music as a whole, actively pursuing this task by compacting various influences from life, including art, with traditional and modern concepts, undeniably, a new voice is born in Richardson.
Working, performing and educating, touring around the world, and recording with the likes of Stefon Harris, Billy Hart; Dr. Lonnie Smith; Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith III; Greg Tardy, Joe Chambers; Nasheet Waits; Jason Moran; Barry Altschul; Michelle Rosewoman; Greg Osby; Gary Thomas; Mark Turner; Carl Allen; Ben Street; World Saxophone Quartet; Butch Morris; John Hicks; Josh Roseman, Marc Cary, Tarus Mateen; Gerald Clayton; Greg Osby; James Carter; Bobby Watson; Vic Juris.
In January 2012 Logan signed with the major record label Concord Records. Logan is preparing to record his first solo album as a leader for the label in 2013, with a release date of 2014. In addition to Logan’s solo project for Concord, he is part of another Concord Recording Artist Collective band/project ‘Next Collective sharp minded and ambitious young alto saxophonist (New York Times).
”Logan Richardson’s saxophone playing is incisive, multidimensional and remarkably flexible. From the leader CEREBRAL FLOW (Fresh Sound‐New Talent) it has been evident that he is an undeniable force. This was made even clearer by his second release, Ethos, released on Greg Osby’s record label, Inner Circle Music.
MARC MIRALTA
The multi-percussionist and vibraphonist Marc Miralta, born in Barcelona, began playing the drums at age seven in several schools in Spain. While at the school he played with different local bands, including classical music with the Youth Orchestra of the European Common Market (ECYO), directed by Claudio Abbado, the Vallès Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Barcelona and Catalonia.
After winning several awards including the Award for Best Jazz Soloist of the Festival de Manresa (1985), Second Prize in the San Sebastian Jazz Festival Wheel with saxophones (1986), the second European Competition of Big Bands Berlin (1988), First Prize at the Festival of Getxo Jazz Trio, he moved to Berklee College of Music in Boston to continue his studies in Jazz and Jazz Composition. While in Berklee, he also won numerous awards such as the Award for Best Percussionist in the Berklee College of Music (1991), and Most Active Musician Award at the Berklee College of Music (1992).
He has recorded more than fifty CDs with several bands, including his first album as a leader of New York Flamenco Reunion (Nuevos Medios). Just released ”Dreams” by the Marc Miralta Quartet (Fresh Sound) featuring Seamus Blake on sax, Ed Simon on piano and Omer Avital on bass. Mr. Miralta co-leads the OAM Trio with Omer Avital and Aaron Goldberg. Cuadernos de Jazz Magazine selected one of his albums New York Flamenco ”Reunion” as the best jazz album of 2000.