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Dayramir Gonzalez

Dayramir (DY-ruh-meer) Gonzalez’s journey may have begun in Cuba, but there’s been no shortage of mileposts lighting his diverse path. An internationally praised pianist and composer, he’s been hailed for his ‘monster technique’ and prolific creative range which melds rock, pop, jazz and Afro-Cuban stylings.

Born in the humble Havana neighborhood of Cerro, during what is referred to in Cuba as “the special period” known as one of the toughest economic times in the country’s history, Dayramir’s life centered on music.

His father was Afro-Cuban jazz trumpeter, Fabian Gonzalez, a driving force and inspiration as Dayramir discovered the piano at the age of 8. He would eventually be accepted into Cuba’s famed National High School for the Arts (ENA). Nurtured by noted singer and percussionist Oscar Valdes (from the legendary band Irakere), the young prodigy was selected at 16 to become an original member and pianist for Diakara, another seminal band founded by Valdes.

Later, while in his third year of high school, Dayramir would be recruited by Cuban legend Giraldo Piloto to join Klimax, helping to shape the sound of that renowned group. Accruing such an impressive list of credits, he began to excel in festival competitions as well. In 2005 he won first place in Havana’s JoJazz festival in the composition category, winning a record deal with Cuba’s national label Colibri. He recorded his first album, released in Cuba in 2007, and titled “Habana enTRANCE,” displaying his skills as artist, bandleader, and composer. The album would go on to win three Cubadisco awards, considered the Grammys of Cuba.

Dayramir was accepted into Havana’s prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) where he strengthened his burgeoning composition skills under the tutelage of master Juan Pinera. Next, he was awarded a musical scholarship to Boston’s revered Berklee College of Music in the U.S., the first Cuban national to receive a full scholarship. Dayramir graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2013, showered with an array of accolades while enrolled: He was signed to Berklee’s Jazz Revelation Records and included on their acclaimed compilation album, as well as being selected as one of their top 5 pianists in their annual Piano Gala. He also performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall as part of their Vocies Of Latin America series, which was chronicled in the Wall Street Journal. He received the Wayne Shorter award for Most Outstanding Composer of the Year upon graduation. Dayramir has come into his own as a New York City based artist/composer and bold musical force with his bountiful U.S.

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Album Review

Dayramir Gonzalez: The Grand Concourse

Read "The Grand Concourse" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Siamo abituati al debutto di prodigiosi pianisti cubani ma Dayramir González non è solo questo. Come Fabian Almazan appartiene alla nuova generazione di strumentisti maturata negli Stati Uniti, capace di sofisticate sintesi orchestrali, coniugando le radici popolari ed etniche della terra d'origine, le forme del jazz ed evidenti riferimenti classici. Nato e cresciuto all'Avana in una famiglia di musicisti (il padre era un noto trombettista di Afro-Cuban Jazz), Dayramir ha iniziato a suonare il piano a 8 anni ...

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Music Industry

Oh! Jazz Adds Afro-Cuban Rhythms from La Habana

Oh! Jazz Adds Afro-Cuban Rhythms from La Habana

Source: Michael Ricci

Starting in July, Oh! Jazz adds a window to Afro-Cuban rhythms and the vast talent of Cuban performers in collaboration with the awarded art center Fabrica de Arte Cubano. Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) is one of Havana's most important performance spaces, art galleries and a great laboratory for interdisciplinary creation, with a marked social and community focus that in 2019 was selected among the 100 Best Places in the World by Time magazine. Located in a converted cooking oil ...

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Performance / Tour

Exciting Rising Star Aggeliki Performs At Chelsea Table + Stage On June 24th With Music Director Dayramir Gonzalez & More!

Exciting Rising Star Aggeliki Performs At Chelsea Table + Stage On June 24th With Music Director Dayramir Gonzalez & More!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

When it feels like the world is coming apart, come together for an evening of music that embraces our neighbors—across the street and across the border. Aggeliki is joining forces with these acclaimed musicians to bring you a stirring selection of beloved songs from home and abroad. Celebrate the meaning of community through music that weaves diverse genres like Latin jazz, blues, soul, and Greek traditional rhythms into a rich, colorful tapestry. Along with surprise special guest appearances, dancers, and ...

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Performance / Tour

Cuban Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez - Van Van Discussion On Dec. 3 At Ideal Glass Studios - Performing Buena Vista Social Club Tribute on Dec. 5 At Chelsea Table + Stage

Cuban Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez - Van Van Discussion On Dec. 3 At Ideal Glass Studios - Performing Buena Vista Social Club Tribute on Dec. 5 At Chelsea Table + Stage

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

PIANO PHENOM DAYRAMIR GONZÁLEZ Launching the Official Van Van Project Friday, December 3rd-6pm Ideal Glass Studios 9 W. 8th St. New York, NY 10001 Ideal Glass Studios was, and still is, a place for all to transcend the norm and exist in a space where alternative modes of thought and expression are encouraged and celebrated. The Presentation will include 5-6 songs of the Concert, a Q&A followed by a short piano solo set. Doors Open at 6pm. ...

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Performance / Tour

Dayramir Gonzalez 'Havana Today, Afro Cuban Jazz' October 23 At Flushing Town Hall

Dayramir Gonzalez 'Havana Today, Afro Cuban Jazz' October 23 At Flushing Town Hall

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

PIANO PHENOM DAYRAMIR GONZÁLEZ & HABANA ENTRANCÉ BRING CUBAN JAZZ TO FLUSHING TOWN HALL ON OCTOBER 23! Rare U.S. Appearance! The special program, titled “Havana Today, Afro Cuban Jazz,” pays tribute to legends Chucho Valdes, Chico O’Farrill, and Chick Corea and will feature Dayramir González on piano, Juan Chiavassa on drums, Dean Torrey on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. This engagement of Dayramir González & Habana enTRANCé is made possible through the Jazz Touring ...

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Recording

Acclaimed Cuban Jazz Pianist, Dayramir Gonzalez, To Release "The Grand Concourse" Ep July 21, 2017

Acclaimed Cuban Jazz Pianist, Dayramir Gonzalez, To Release "The Grand Concourse" Ep July 21, 2017

Source: Tracey Miller and Associates

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, pianist Dayramir (DY-ruh-meer) Gonzalez has come into his own as a New York City based artist/composer and bold musical force with his bountiful U.S. debut The Grand Concourse EP to be released digitally July 21st on Machat Music/Orchard. The 5-track EP dazzles as an expressive showcase of the energetic Dayramir’s immense talent and sweeping musical vision. An internationally praised pianist and composer, ("Gonzalez’s bravado-infused pianism naturally extends the brilliant legacy of Cuban jazz pianists..,"—LA ...

“Promising newcomer Dayramir González can be added to the pantheon of distinctive Cuban jazz voices. This Afro- Cuban pianist, composer, and arranger is setting the Latin jazz world on fire in America.” – Carnegie Hall

“Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez has been a star in Cuba from age 16, when master percussionist Oscar Valdés (from the legendary Cuban group Irakere) chose the young prodigy for his new band. Nearly 15 years later, Gonzalez has achieved success away from his homeland, performing at Carnegie Hall and in venues across Europe, the Caribbean and North America. His refined yet bravado-infused pianism naturally extends the brilliant legacy of Cuban jazz pianists from Bebo Valdés to Chucho Valdés to Gonzalo Rubalcaba.”- LA Weekly

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