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Silvano Monasterios

Pianist-composer Silvano Monasterios was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He spent his formative years of musical training at the Jose Angel Lamas Conservatory while he alternately encountered the great American jazz tradition in all its diversity. He promptly began his professional career at the age of 18, combining these influences by performing and recording with some of the most prominent Venezuelan artists of the time.

In 1989, Silvano traveled to Miami, Florida, to participate in the Miami Jazz Festival, where he received a “Best Soloist Award.” By 1990, he had immigrated to the United States to begin his collegiate studies at Miami-Dade College. More recognition followed with another “Outstanding Soloist Award” at the University of Northern Colorado in 1991 and then a music scholarship from the University of Miami, from which he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1995. In 1998, Silvano was voted “New Artist of the Year” at the Hennessey Cognac Jazz Search in New York City, which led to a slot at the Playboy Jazz Festival. This year also marked the release of his first CD, “Roads Not Taken”, prompting more critical interest in the U.S. and Latin America.

Silvano next returned to the University of Miami in 2002 where he once again received a full scholarship, earning a Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy. In the following years, two additional albums were released - "Fostered" (independent release) and "Jazz Impressions" (Dogleg Music). In 2011, he produced "Unconditional", his first album as a Savant Records artist. Later in 2015, Silvano relocated to New York City where he recorded his next project for Savant Records entitled “Party Sunny”. Both albums received great reviews and landed within the top 20 albums on JazzWeek's Jazz Album Chart.

Throughout his career, Silvano has continued to write and evolve while performing and recording with an impressive mix of artists including Larry Coryell, Dave Valentin, Nestor Torres, Paquito D’Rivera, Mark Egan, Paul Wertico, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Ira Sullivan, Don Byron, Troy Roberts, Todd Marcus, Juan Pablo Torres, Luisito Quintero, Sammy Figueroa, Candido Camero, Terumasa Hino & the World Jazz All-Stars, Marc Johnson, Dave Liebman, Othello Molineaux, Melton Mustafa, Nathen Page, Claudio Roditi, David Lee Roth, Shakira, Louie Vega, Arturo Sandoval, Bobby Watson, Akira Jimbo, Bobby Sanabria and many others.


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Album Review

Troy Roberts: NU-JIVE: Nations United

Read "NU-JIVE: Nations United" reviewed by Geannine Reid


Troy Roberts is a two-time Grammy nominee who is becoming one of the most broadly recorded saxophonists of his time. Roberts' robust saxophone playing adorns several essential recordings ranging from the legendary Joey DeFrancesco to the iconic Van Morrison to the indispensable Jeff 'Tain' Watts to the assiduous Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band, including abundant newcomers. As a leader, Roberts has fourteen albums in his discography, including his latest recording, NU-JIVE: Nations United, which features long-time friends ...

2
Album Review

Troy Roberts: Nu-Jive Perspective

Read "Nu-Jive Perspective" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


Though still a pup age-wise, Australian-born saxophonist Troy Roberts has two Grammy nominations under his belt and has shared the stage and studio with luminaries that have defined the musical spectrum, including Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Joey DeFrancesco, Christian McBride, Orrin Evans, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Nu-Jive Perspective, his eighth disc as leader and third with this globally boisterous quintet, is a youthful romp through all the sounds of New York's neighborhoods. Hovering in that cool zone between ...

7
Album Review

Troy Roberts: Tales & Tones

Read "Tales & Tones" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


Troy Roberts is a saxophonist from Australia who has made his way in America working with the likes of Christian McBride, Jeff “Tain" Watts and Joey DeFrancesco. On this CD he demonstrates a forceful saxophone sound married to original ideas in rhythm and tempo.Roberts' plays deep, swooping sax mostly over tricky, pounding beats set up by Watts. The drummer pushes a sprightly version of “Take The 'A' Train along with relaxed hip hop beats before Roberts lays into ...

5
Album Review

Troy Roberts: Tales & Tones

Read "Tales & Tones" reviewed by Geannine Reid


Saxophonist and composer Troy Roberts continues to present music that retains a distinctive strength and originality, still vastly rooted in tradition, while firmly grounded in new perspectives. Hailing from the remote location of Perth, West Australia, Roberts has received numerous awards including 3 consecutive DownBeat Jazz Soloist Awards, a Grammy Nomination medal, and was the only Australian semi-finalist in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Graduating with a Bachelor of Music at the young age of 19, he ...

169
Album Review

Silvano Monasterios: Unconditional

Read "Unconditional" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Unconditional is pianist and composer Silvano Monasterios' debut album for the Savant label and his fourth effort as a band leader since 1998. Having studied at the University of Miami and being named the “Best Jazz Musician" by the Miami New Times, the Venezuelan-born pianist has chosen to settle in Miami and take advantage of the rich cultural backdrop of the community. It is in Miami where he found the talents of saxophonist Troy Roberts and drummer Rodolfo Zuniga to ...

209
Album Review

Silvano Monasterios: Unconditional

Read "Unconditional" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The word “unconditional" is often associated with love, referencing the feeling that parents have for their children and pets have for their owners, but the word itself isn't limited to use on this topic. In fact, the very meaning of “unconditional" actually addresses a lack of limitations or constraints, as does the music on pianist Silvano Monasterios' Unconditional. This recording marks Monasterios' Savant Records debut, and the Venezuelan-born, Miami-based pianist breaks free from the shackles of Latin jazz labeling and ...

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Album Review

Silvano Monasterios: Unconditional

Read "Unconditional" reviewed by Greg Simmons


Miami pianist Silvano Monasterios' Unconditional doesn't announce its qualities with musical histrionics: it's far subtler than that. This collection of eight original tunes shows craftsmanship, fine improvisation and coherence. Monasterios has constructed a compelling musical statement with an emphasis on composition and attention to detail. This is an entire album, not simply a collection of songs. Even in places where the percussion is prominent, it is integrated with a vision that never becomes frenetic. There are passages on ...

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Event

Month-long Venezuelan Jazz Piano Series Celebrates Indigenous Resistance Day At Zinc Jazz Club In New York City

Month-long Venezuelan Jazz Piano Series Celebrates Indigenous Resistance Day At Zinc Jazz Club In New York City

Source: Charles Carlini Presents

Zinc Jazz Club is thrilled to announce a month-long celebration of Venezuelan Jazz Piano in honor of Venezuela’s Indigenous Resistance Day, produced by Charles Carlini of Charles Carlini Presents. The series will feature an incredible lineup of world-renowned pianists, showcasing the rich musical heritage of Venezuela and its contribution to the global jazz scene. Taking place every Tuesday throughout the month of October, this unique series promises to transport audiences to the vibrant streets of Venezuela, blending traditional rhythms with ...

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Recording

Silvano Monasterios Releases New CD "Unconditional" On The Savant Label

Silvano Monasterios Releases New CD "Unconditional" On The Savant Label

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

The fourth effort as a bandleader by Silvano Monasterios, his debut release for the Savant label, Unconditional should bring national attention to a major talent that has remained largely unheard outside of the confines of his U.S. base in Miami, Florida. The Venezuela born pianist/composer who trained in the classical tradition at the esteemed Jose Angel Lamas Conservatory growing up in Caracas, while taking in the rich musical traditions of all of South America and as much jazz as he ...

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Recording

New Trio Release - Jazz Impressions One: Silvano Monasterios, Mark Egan, and Paul Wertico

New Trio Release -  Jazz Impressions One: Silvano Monasterios, Mark Egan, and Paul Wertico

Source: All About Jazz

Dogleg Music is pleased to announce the inaugural release of Jazz Impressions One which is a series of expertly recorded live concert performances of master jazz musicians who represent musical royalty by virtue of their history and their devotion to art, technique, and self-expression.

The first offering is the reproduction of one memorable evening with Silvano Monasterios, Mark Egan, and Paul Wertico (the latter two, although acclaimed in their own right, are also Grammy-awarded early members of the Pat Metheny ...

"This collection of eight original tunes [Unconditional] shows craftsmanship, fine improvisation and coherence. Monasterios has constructed a compelling musical statement with an emphasis in composition and attention to detail. This is an entire album, not simply a collection of songs." Greg Simmons, All About Jazz

"Silvano brings deeply intricate and thought provoking mastery to his compositions. Perfectly balanced with compositional and improvisational concepts." Jazzweek.com

"On his fourth outing as a leader, the outstanding pianist-composer, Silvano Monasterios, blends elements of his American Jazz heroes (Chick Corea, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock) with the South American rhythms of his native Venezuela." JazzTimes

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Nu-Jive: Live at the...

Toy Robot Music
2023

buy

NU-JIVE: Nations...

Toy Robot Music
2022

buy

Nu-Jive Perspective

Inner Circle Music
2018

buy

Tales & Tones

Inner Circle Music
2017

buy

Secret Rhymes

Inner Circle Music
2015

buy

NU-JIVE 5

Self Produced
2013

buy

Very Early

From: Jazz Impressions One
By Silvano Monasterios

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