Manuel Valera

Manuel Valera is a Cuban pianist and composer.
Graduated from South Broward High School, Hollywood, FL

Biography

Valera was born in Havana, Cuba. Since 2000 he has lived in New York City, where he attended New School University. His playing is influenced by Bill Evans, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, and he has worked extensively in the groups of Dafnis Prieto, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Brian Lynch, Yosvany Terry, Jeff "Tain" Watts and Lenny White.

Recordings

Valera's first CD as a leader Forma Nueva was released in 2004. It features bassist John Patitucci, drummers Bill Stewart and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and saxophonist Seamus Blake. Historia, Melancolia and Vientos were released between 2005–2007, featuring drummers Antonio Sanchez and Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Seamus Blake and Joel Frahm, bassists Ben Street and James Genus and percussionist Luis Quintero. 2009 marked the release of Currents, a trio recording with Genus and Simpson and it was also Valera's debut on the Maxjazz label.
After a hiatus as a leader, to focus on sideman work, in 2012 Valera released New Cuban Express with Yosvany Terry on saxophone, John Benitez on bass, Tom Guarna on guitar, Eric Doob on drums, and percussionist Mauricio Herrera.
This recording earned him a nomination for a 2013 Grammy Award in the category "Best Latin Jazz Album".

As leader

Forma Nueva with John Patitucci, Bill Stewart, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez & Seamus BlakeHistoria with Ben Street, Antonio Sanchez & Seamus BlakeMelancolia with Ben Street, Antonio Sanchez, Seamus Blake, Luis QuinteroVientos with James Genus, Ernesto Simpson, Joel FrahmCurrents with James Genus & Ernesto SimpsonNew Cuban Express with Yosvany Terry, Tom Guarna, John Benitez, Eric Doob & Mauricio HerreraExpectativas with Yosvany Terry, Tom Guarna, John Benitez, Paulo Stagnaro & Ludwig AfonsoSelf Portrait In Motion with Yosvany Terry, Tom Guarna, Alex Sipiagin Hans Glawischnig, Mauricio Herrera and Ludwig AfonsoLive at Firehouse 12 with E.J. Strickland and Hans GlawischnigUrban Landscapes with Groove SquareThe Seasons with E.J. Strickland and Hans GlawischnigThe Planets with E.J. Strickland and Hans GlawischnigJose Martin en Nueva York New Cuban Express Big BandDistancia with New Cuban Express Big BandVessel with John Ellis, Alex Norris, Hamish Smith, Mark Whitfield JrRise Again Vol 1 with New Cuban Express Nevermind Tomorrow with Janek Gwizdala and Mark Whitfield Jr

Selected discography as a sideman

with Dafnis Prieto – The Sooner The Better
with Dafnis Prieto – Si o Si Quartet Live at the Jazz Standard
with Brain Lynch – Conclave, Vol. 2
with John Benitez – Purpose
with Oscar Feldman – Oscar E Familia
with Samuel Torres – Yaounde
with Dana Lauren – ''It's You or No One''

Awards

Finalist in the 2004 and 2006 Great American Jazz Competition
Recipient of the 2005 and 2006 ASCAP Young Composers Award
Final nominee in the Up & Coming Musician of the Year category of the Jazz Journalists Association Awards.
Received a commission for the 2007, 2013 and 2017 Chamber Music America New Works Award.
New Cuban Express nominated for 2013 Grammy, Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year
2019 Guggenheim Fellowship in musical composition