Primary Instrument: Sax, alto
Abdiel Flores was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his musical career at the age of six when he began to play various percussion instruments, at the same time as he observed his father playing the guitar at church. During his younger years, Abdiel was part of a group of church musicians. When he was thirteen years old, he received a saxophone as a gift, and eventually began to take private lessons.
While continuing to play the saxophone, Abdiel experienced a break in his musical career to study in the College of Communications of the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, where he graduated with honors. After a few years working in advertising, Abdiel was accepted into the Jazz and Afro- Caribbean Music Program of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, where he had the chance to learn from great teachers, such as David Sánchez, Eddie Gómez, Marco Pignataro, Luis Marin, Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz, Andrew Lázaro, and Ricardo Pons, among others.
In 2002, Abdiel received both a grant from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston as well as the Outstanding Musician Award from the Berklee in Puerto Rico Program.
Currently, Abdiel Flores is premiering his first soloist production “El cuida de mi”. It is a compilation of traditional hymns harmonized and arranged with jazz influences and Latin rhythms. Musicians with great experience in the jazz genre, such as Ramón Vázquez, Leobadis González, Isaac Lausell, Elias Santos, and Jan Carlos Artime have contributed to this production.
In Abdiel’s own words: “‘El cuida de mi’ is a tribute to the Lord, not only for his care for us as we walk through this life, but also for the certainty and security of the promise that we’ll be taken care of by his protecting hand and divine cover. Today, I recognize that, without him, none of us would be here.”
Abdiel, who has had the opportunity of playing with Christian musicians such as Marco Barrientos, Danilo Montero, Coalo Zamorano, and Ron Kenoly, is aware of the healing and spiritual power of music inspired by God. Therefore, he intends to bring his music to people in need of a sound that serves as a messenger of hope and faith.
El cuida de mí
2011
Tracks: In the Garden; Hi Eye is on the Sparrow; I Surrender All; Cara a Cara; Great is Thy Faithfulness; Damos honor a ti; Visión pastoral; somewhere, Over the Rainbow.
Personnel: Abdiel Flores: Alto Sax. Ramón Vázquez: Bass. Isaac Lausell: Guitar. Leobadis González: Drums. Yan Carlos Artime: Piano. Elías Celpa: Bass.
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