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Alex Mercado

A pianist with astounding technique and boundless imagination, Alex Mercado is acclaimed for his ability to write striking compositions and create vibrant sonic landscapes that have resonated with critics and audiences alike in his native Mexico. On Symbiosis, his second trio recording after 2012’s The Watcher, Mercado takes us on a journey through a vibrant musical world full of engaging melodies and the dynamic improvisations that typify the finest in contemporary modern jazz. Featuring Antonio Sánchez on drums and Scott Colley on bass, this album will introduce jazz aficionados outside Mexico to a virtuoso instrumentalist without peer in his homeland where he is the “1st Call” pianist of choice for Magos Herrera, Sachal Vasandani, Bryan Lynch, Camila Meza and other visiting artists. Mercado’s career highlights to date include being commissioned in 2010 to arrange, and perform as the featured soloist in, the orchestral opening to Sir Elton John’s concert at Chichen Itza with the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra; participating in 2011 as an arranger/composer on singer Magos Herrera's album Mexico Azul, recorded in NYC with John Patitucci, Adam Rogers, Tim Hagans and Luis Perdomo; and being chosen in 2012 by the Mexican government to inaugurate with a solo piano concert the iconic City Of The Books, one of Mexico City’s most important and historic landmarks.

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StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Introducing Alex Mercado

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Introducing Alex Mercado

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Today, let's take a look at some videos featuring pianist Alex Mercado, who will make his St. Louis debut in a concert next Friday, September 28 at the Kranzberg Arts Center. The date is part of a brief tour of the Midwest, for which Mercado will be accompanied by Rodrigo Villanueva on drums and St. Louis' own Bob DeBoo on bass. While he's here, Mercado also will present a free, public master class at 1:00 p.m. on Friday in Room ...

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Interview

Interview: Alex Mercado

Source: Eric Taylor

Q: Did you receive any formal training as a pianist? Who taught you? A: I began studying classical music at age 13 with Jose Luis Arcaraz, a classical piano teacher who took me under his wing after discovering I had a special talent and predisposition for music. Through him I got thoroughly introduced to piano technique, dynamics, and the expressive range of the instrument. My passion for music allowed me to make quick progress through long practice sessions, achieving positive ...

BY BOBBY REED - DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE (August 2014) Editor´s Pick Alex Mercado Trio, Symbiosis (Fonarte Latino) 2Pianist Alex Mercado is one of the finest jazz musicians that Mexico has produced. On his new trio album, he teams up with simpatico collaborators who are equal to his incredible talent. Bassist Scott Colley and drummer Antonio Sanchez know each other’s styles extremely well because they’ve recorded and toured together in the New Gary Burton Quartet, and they’ve worked in the trio format with pianist Enrico Pieranunzi. Here, on Mercado’s Symbiosis, the rapport between all three musicians is deeply impressive. Like Colley, Mercado is a highly melodic player; and like Sanchez, the pianist is masterfully adept at shifting tempos and building drama over the course of a long tune. The result of these musicians’ telepathy is a richly cohesive program of 10 original Mercado compositions. The leader’s playing is characterized by fierce dynamics and a command of the entire keyboard, whether he’s coaxing gentle, delicate notes with his right hand or generating explosive propulsion with his left. From the shimmering pianism of the title track, to the whimsical flair of “What Lays Beyond,” to the melodic motifs of “Two Doors,” everything here is delivered with power and confidence. There’s no hint of wandering or meandering; this trio knows exactly where it’s going and precisely how to get there"

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Symbiosis

Self Produced
2014

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