Home » Jazz Musicians » Nestor Zurita

Nestor Zurita

Nestor is an accomplished alto saxophonist, composer, educator, and social activist, with deep convictions.

He has played thousands of concerts around the world many of them for underprivileged audiences. Through his music he has always promoted the value of social justice and democracy. He has also played for President Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Nestor plays and composes many genres, including classical, fusion, world music, Latin jazz, and jazz. He is also one of the most proficient EWI (electric wind instrument) players, crushing boundaries with his creations.

Nestor plays globally, his engagements spanning Italy, France, Spain, South America, and throughout the United States. It is his conviction that music connects us all and that through it’s magic we can create change in the world. He believes that music is the answer, not the question. Nestor studied at the New School of Jazz., Manhattan School of Music, and Miami Dade College.

His teachers include Bobby Watson & Steve Slagel.

Nestor was the Creator and Director of the Jazz Department of the National Conservatory of Ecuador and directed the Classical Saxophone Program in that Conservatory. Nestor has played with Steve Lacy, Jovinho Santos Neto, Omar Sosa, Chuck Bergeron, Felix Gomez, Ed Calle, among others. An avid composer, Nestor has written over three hundred pieces of music that fuse element from countries around the world.

In Miami he leads: Latin Jazz Ensemble; Middle Eastern Jazz Project; The Jewish Jazz Project. Nestor is the Director of Music Without Borders, Inc. For more info please visit nestorzurita.com

Gear

Selmer Balanced Action alto saxophone Yanagisawa 9937 Yamaha Custom Z alto saxophone Ponzol alto mouthpiece Selmer Mark 6 Baritone Saxophone Yanaguisawa Baritone Sax Mouthpice Vandoren reeds Yanagisawa alto sax 9937


Tags

74

Interview

Nestor Zurita Saxophonist and Teacher by James Cubby on July 05, 2011

Nestor Zurita Saxophonist and Teacher  by James Cubby on July 05, 2011

Source: Nestor Zurita

Saxophonist Nestor Zurita shares his talents when he performs onstage but it's a special person who can teach another to play a musical instrument. While Nestor taught himself to play the saxophone, most aren't as quick to pick up an instrument and teach themselves to play-not like Nestor Zurita anyway. Miami locals are familiar with Nestor Zurita who has played at venues like the Van Dyke Café, Arts at St. Johns, Alliance Francaise and has concerts at the Gusman Hall ...

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, alto

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Was Director and creator of the Jazz Department and Director of Classical Saxophone Program in the National Conservatory of Ecuador and has taught students in the Paris Conservatory and at the Nicolo Paganini Conservatory in Italy. He currently lives in Miami were he leads his Latin Jazz Ensemble, directs his Summer Camp and teaches privately. For availability please call 3054959763

Clinic/Workshop Information

In each Clinic I address lateral thinking as a main point of study. I have students create on the spot musical compositions wile at the same time showing them de different tools at their disposal to achieve their goals. I make strong emphasis in the traditions of Jazz and play various jazz standards with the students, wile at the same time talking about improvisation, phrasing and I make special emphasis in how to utilize in the best manner their playing capacity

Read more

Photos

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.