New York based Colombian pianist/composer Gabriel
Guerrero is a classically trained pianist / composer who 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. Having started piano 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 on 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.
""Guerrero blends classical with modern, striking a perfect balance""
- Jazz Review
In Colombia Gabriel
studied classical piano from age five with Maestro Karol Bermudez 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 New England Conservatory earning both a Bachelors and a Masters degree studying with Danilo Perez, Steve Lacy, Fred Hersch, Jerry Bergonzi, and Charlie Banacos.
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 had TV appearances since age nine thought his
teens in Colombian TV 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 by PBS. Gabriel has participated in Jazz festivals in Colombia, and USA such as Newport Jazz Festival, Cape Cod Jazz Festival, John Coltrane Memorial Concert, Lily Pad Piano Festival, IAJE Jazz Convention, Jazz al Parque, and performed in important venues such as Jazz Gallery, Jordan Hall, as well as taught clinics in Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and Universities in Colombia.
"Gabriel Guerrero
has the imprint of a "great" in the current jazz
times"
Actual Jazz by Leonardo
Díaz
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."
"Gabriel is an intelligent player"
- All About Jazz