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Edsel Gomez

Edsel Gomez is today one of the premier Latin Jazz pianists in the world.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1962, he began piano studies at age five. He grew up in a musical environment that allowed him to master afro-caribbean rhythms in depth, working since childhood with an incredible array of Latin music idols such as Marvin Santiago, Celia Cruz, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Santitos Colon, Cheo Feliciano, Roberto Roena, Willie Colon, Ismael Rivera Jr., Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Olga Guillot, Lola Flores, Marco Antonio Muñiz, among many others.

He gained a Bachelor of Music Degree at Berklee College of Music with a Count Basie Award for outstanding musicianship in 1985 while expanding his performance credits working with such renowned jazz artists as Gary Burton, Claudio Roditi, Bill Pierce, Don Byron, Chick Corea and Jerry Gonzalez among many others.

Relocated to Brazil from 1986 to 1996 he studied extensively Brazilian Music and worked accompanying such renown artists as Cauby Peixoto, Wilson Simonal, Paulinho da Viola, Amelinha, Caetano Veloso, Joao Bosco, Lucinha Lins, Angela Maria and Trombonist Raul de Souza, recording de Souza’s “The Other Side of the Moon.”

Within the Brazilian landscape he worked as a Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor/Musical Director of Broadway-like shows, educator, and producer and managed his own recording studio/production company. Within a short time, most Brazilian musicians considered him “one of ours.” Gomez’s personal approach to fusing jazz, Latin and Brazilian music gives him a unique personality and musical voice.

Since relocating to New York in 1997, he has been featured in saxophonist David Sanchez’s albums, “Obsesion,” ”Melaza,” “Travesia,” and a fourth, “Coral” which won the Latin Grammy; (with the Prague Radio Symphony Orch) Clarinetist Don Byron’s “Tuskeegee Experiments,” (‘94) “Music for Six Musicians” and “You are Number Six;”Richard Bona’s “Scenes from my life,” and “Reverence” (Sony/Columbia) and has toured extensively around the world.

Edsel works around the world as Dee Dee Bridgewater’s pianist/arranger, along with new proyects that include Jack DeJohnette’s “Latin Project,” featuring Giovanni Hidalgo, Don Byron, Luisito Quintero and Jerome Harris; Conrad Herwig’s "Latin side of Miles," “Another Kind of Blue-Live at the Blue Note,” and “The Latin Side of Coltrane,” featuring Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Valentin, Brian Lynch, Richie Flores, Mario Rivera, Robbie Ammeen and John Benitez, and a collaboration with Vocalist Janis Siegel.

Edsel has released an album dedicated to the music of Chico Buarque “Celebrating Chico Buarque de Hollanda,” (‘99) and recorded a new album, “Cubist Music,” (Zoho Music, 2006) produced by Don Byron, featuring Edsel’s original compositions reflecting his own improvisational concept based on Cubist Art, performed by a stellar group comprised of clarinetist Don Byron, saxophonists David Sanchez, Steve Wilson, Greg Tardy, and Miguel Zenon, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Bruce Cox.

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Album Review

Robby Ameen: Diluvio

Read "Diluvio" reviewed by Jack Bowers


It's a given that wherever Grammy-winning drummer Robby Ameen goes, irrepressible rhythm is sure to follow. Diluvio, Ameen's third album as leader of his own ensemble, is clearly no exception to the rule. Ameen's half-dozen compositions are intrepid and lively, and even Gerry Mulligan's “Line for Lyons" and John Coltrane's “Impressions," which seal the album, are given bright rhythmic makeovers in keeping with the leader's metrical frame of mind. To lend color and variety, Ameen employs a ...

15
Album Review

Robby Ameen: Diluvio

Read "Diluvio" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Perhaps it's a flood of rhythm that the title and cover art refer to on this third leader outing from drumming dynamo Robby Ameen. A heavy hitter in Afro-Cuban circles for decades, Ameen's frangible linear Latin funk workouts, intricate rhythmic roadmapping, song-serving chops and good taste have earned him an overwhelmingly positive reputation. Everybody from musical polymath Ruben Blades to flutist Dave Valentin and pianist Eddie Palmieri to trombonist Conrad Herwig has called on Ameen multiple times over the years, ...

1
Album Review

John Bailey: Can You Imagine?

Read "Can You Imagine?" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Letting his imagination roam free, trumpeter John Bailey envisions a world in which one of his musical touchstones, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, is president of the United States--one in which Gillespie's cabinet includes Duke Ellington (secretary of state), Louis Armstrong (secretary of agriculture) and Miles Davis (CIA director). The fact is, Gillespie did “run" for president in 1964, a crusade that was far more satirical than serious. Nevertheless, as was his fashion, Gillespie milked his “candidacy" for all it was worth, ...

4
Album Review

John Bailey: Can You Imagine?

Read "Can You Imagine?" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The world loves a good “what if..." story, so why not explore the idea of Dizzy Gillespie as president? The famed trumpeter actually ran for the highest office in the land in 1964. And though the move was largely in jest, he didn't shy away from the issues of the day while campaigning. Sadly, many of the same problems that Gillespie explored still plague the United States, but trumpeter John Bailey doesn't get weighed down by that sobering sadness—or pure ...

3
Album Review

Edsel Gomez: Road to Udaipur

Read "Road to Udaipur" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Puerto Rican-born pianist Edsel Gomez hasn't recorded any albums as leader since his Grammy-nominated debut, Cubist Music, in 2007--he has been far too busy--but that doesn't mean he hasn't harbored such plans in the back of his mind. Now in his early 50s, Gomez decided the time was right to enter a studio again, the result of which is Road to Udaipur, a resplendent cornucopia of Latin-centered jazz that pays tacit homage to a pair of his mentors, Chick Corea ...

99
Album Review

Edsel Gomez: Cubist Music

Read "Cubist Music" reviewed by Ernest Barteldes


Puerto Rican pianist Edsel Gomez lived in Brazil for ten years, and that country's influence is evident in his playing. His Caribbean roots have not been lost, however, and a blend of those different tendencies is evident on Gomez's debut as a leader. One of the first tracks that stands out on Cubist Music is “Lady Bug, a blend of Latin and bebop with horns (played by Don Byron, David Sanchez, Miguel Zenon, Steve Wilson and Greg ...

218
Album Review

Edsel Gomez: Cubist Music

Read "Cubist Music" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


A prodigious musician who led his first salsa band at the age of nine, Edsel Gomez is continuing to impress as a dynamic pianist in various bands and through associations with artists like clarinetist Don Byron and saxophonist David Sanchez. His latest release and American debut, Cubist Music, aurally translates the ideas of cubist art by combining building blocks into melodic motifs. The resulting music is captivating, filled with shifting patterns and arrangements that are melodic, complex, and vibrant.

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Performance / Tour

Edsel Gomez at Catalina Bar and Grill, Hollywood, California, February 12

Edsel Gomez at Catalina Bar and Grill, Hollywood, California, February 12

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

GRAMMY NOMINEE AND ZOHO MUSIC RECORDING ARTIST EDSEL GOMEZ

Monday, February 12th

With Darek Oles and Dean Rohan

At Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood California 90028 (323) 466-2210 http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/

Sets At 8:30 p.m. & 10.30 p.m.

Edsel Gomez, Cubist Music

Edsel Gomez: piano; Don Byron: clarinet; David Sanchez: tenor saxophone; Miguel Zenon: alto sax; Steve Wilson: alto saxophone, flute; Greg Tardy: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute; Drew Gress: acoustic ...

98

Performance / Tour

The Edsel Gomez Quartet Live at J&R Music World Live Broadcast on WBGO Tuesday, February 22nd, 2006 at 12:30 p.m.

The Edsel Gomez Quartet Live at J&R Music World Live Broadcast on WBGO Tuesday, February 22nd, 2006 at 12:30 p.m.

Source: All About Jazz

Live at J&R Music World: Edsel Gomez Quintet Park Row, New York, N.Y. 10038 (across from City Hall Park) 212-238-9000 Live Broadcast on WBGO Tuesday, Feb. 21stat 12:30 p.m. Hosted by Midday Jazz host Rhonda Hamilton On Tuesday, February 22nd, you'll have a chance to hear someone with what we call a “serious ear." Pianist Edsel Gomez first fell for music while growing up in Puerto Rico. Now internationally recognized as one ...

98

Performance / Tour

Edsel Gomez at the Vermont Jazz Center on 2/18/06

Edsel Gomez at the Vermont Jazz Center on 2/18/06

Source: All About Jazz

VERMONT JAZZ CENTER 72 COTTON MILL HILL, #222 BRATTLEBORO, VT, 05301

VJC TO PRESENT CUBIST-LATIN MUSIC WITH THE EDSEL GOMEZ TRIO ON FEBRUARY 18TH AT 8:00 PM.

On Saturday, February 18th, at 8:00 PM, the Vermont Jazz Center presents a concert with Puerto Rican born, pianist, Edsel Gomez and his trio including bassist Brittish bassist Howard Britz and Venezuelan drummer Tony De Vivo. Gomez will be performing music inspired by both his Latin heritage as well ...

105

Radio

Edsel Gomez Cubist Music NPR Fresh Air Live CD Review

Edsel Gomez Cubist Music NPR Fresh Air Live CD Review

Source: All About Jazz


Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Spellbound

Origin Records
2023

buy

Manhattan Whispers

YoStar Records
2022

buy

Can You Imagine?

Self Produced
2020

buy

Diluvio

Origin Records
2020

buy

Touched by Love

Self Produced
2020

buy

Road to Udaipur

Zoho Music
2015

buy

Spellbound

From: Spellbound
By Edsel Gomez

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