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Roberto Verástegui

Pianist, composer and educator Roberto Verastegui (b.1988) is appearing in the international jazz scene as a young promising musician. Since he moved to Texas on a scholarship to study at the University of North Texas three years ago, he has had the opportunity to perform with musicians like Fred Hamilton, Lynn Seaton, Tony Baker, Stockton Helbing, Shelley Carroll, Adonis Rose, Quamon Fowler, Jiggs Wigham, Tim Warfield, Tim Armacost, Miles Okazaki, Ingrid Jensen, Billy Hart and Curtis Fuller, and has performed and toured with many different groups in Asia, Europe and the American Continent. In spring 2010 Roberto was selected as one of five finalists worldwide to compete in the renowed Phillips Jazz Piano Competition in Florida, and won 2nd place. Currently, Roberto is the pianist for the world famous UNT One O'Clock Lab Band.

Over these two years Roberto has had the opportunity to study with Dan Haerle, Paul Dworak, Steven Harlos, Kevin Hays, Dan Tepfer, Tayor Eigsti and John Clayton. Currently he is having his classical piano studies in the studio of Anastasia Markina, and his formal jazz piano studies with Stefan Karlsson. He has also been in master classes and clinics by Billy Childs, Chris Potter, John Abercrombie, Kevin Hays, Taylor Eigsti, Ari Hoenig, Orlando LeFlemming, Nasheet Waits, Kenny Werner, Rufus Reid and Clay Jenkins to mention a few.

Roberto Verastegui began playing the piano at the age of 8, picking up melodies by ear and learning tunes from his father (Roberto Verastegui Rdz). He began playing gigs at 10, playing cocktail piano and commercial stuff all around Mexico. At age 13 Roberto discovered latin and contemporary jazz and began listening to Chick Corea and Bill Evans records. He began his classical piano studies when he was 15 and studied with Roxana Rodriguez, Teresa Tamez and Amalia de Leon and studied harmony and counterpoint with Patricio Gomez Junco. During his high school years he got involved in musical theater, pop and regional music groups, and quickly broke into the Monterrey jazz scene playing in many latin jazz and traditional jazz combos. In this period of time he toured France and Portugal with the group Raices PrepaTec. During all these years Roberto learned to play many instruments by himself, including Accordion, Guitar, Marimba, Vibes, Vihuela and Percussion, and he has had the opportunity to play in many different and diverse groups around the world.

Photo by Michal Garcia www.michalgarcia.com

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5
Album Review

Marcos Toledo: Hunch

Read "Hunch" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


There is a cliché that jazz is a universal language. Sometimes it helps to watch terrific players from just about everywhere play things that make you stop and notice. Such is the case with Marcos Toledo. Toledo is a young guitarist who was born and raised in Guadalajara and in 2022 is based in New York. He is one of an increasing number of players from Mexico who bring their own experiences, culture and ideas to bear on ...

4
Album Review

Sly5thAve & Roberto Verastegui: Agua de Jamaica

Read "Agua de Jamaica" reviewed by Peter Jones


Despite its title, this genre-busting album has nothing to do with reggae or Jamaican dancehall. In fact, it's a fresh-as-paint melange of jazz, electro-pop and hip-hop. Agua de Jamaica is the work of a Texan and a Mexican: Sly5thAve (real name Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II) and Roberto Verástegui originally met as jazz students in Texas, and the album came together in Mexico City during the first Covid-19 lockdown. Sly5thAve may not be a familiar name to many, but ...

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

10 years of Experience teaching all levels. Expertise in Ear Training, Harmony, Counterpoint, Time Feel, Styles(Salsa, R&B, Jazz, Pop, Rock). If interested, go to www.robertoverastegui.com

Clinic/Workshop Information

Experience teaching Clinics and Masterclasses in Mexico, USA, China, France, Portugal and Japan.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Agua de Jamaica

Tru Thoughts
2022

buy

Hunch

Nitsuga
2022

buy

Videos

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