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Sylvia Cuenca

Sylvia Cuenca is an active drummer on the New York jazz scene who is contributing outstanding performances in a variety of situations. She has had the honor of sharing the bandstand with saxophone legend Joe Henderson for 4 years and trumpet legend Clark Terry for 17 years. The Joe Henderson quartet toured frequently in European countries Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, England, Switzerland, France, Italy and Germany and venues across the U.S. In a trio setting she performed with Joe Henderson and Charlie Haden in 1989 and with George Mraz in 1994. She performed with the Clark Terry Quintet and Big Band at Village Vanguard, Birdland, Blue Note, Queen Elizabeth 2, Royal Viking, S.S. Norway jazz cruises and clubs, concerts and festivals in the U.S, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. While working with the Clark Terry quintet she had the opportunity to perform with guest artists Al Grey, Red Holloway, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Marian McPartland, Dianne Reeves, Joe Williams and Lou Donaldson to name a few.

Cuenca has also performed with such jazz luminaries as Billy Taylor, Frank Foster's Loud Minority Big Band, Houston Person, Etta Jones, Helen Merrill, John Hicks, Valery Ponomarov, Lew Soloff, James Spaulding, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, George Cables, Hilton Ruiz, Jon Faddis, Eddie Henderson, Gary Bartz, John Handy, Kenny Drew Jr., Emily Remler, Richie Cole, Dave Stryker, Jessie Davis, Ralph Bowen, Vincent Herring, Paul Bollenback, Geoffrey Keezer, Mark Whitfield, Ralph Moore, Jesse Davis, Catherine Russell, Dianne Reeves, Dianne Schuur, Denise Donatelli, Ernestine Anderson, Lea Delaria, the European based Vienna Art Orchestra and many others. In 2015 she performed at Dizzy's Jazz at Lincoln Center with Albert "Tootie" Heath's 4 drum set group called "The Whole Drum Truth" which also included drummers Louis Hayes and Joe Saylor.

She was a guest clinician at the Sisters in Jazz Program at the IAJE Convention in NYC and the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Cuenca has been a longtime faculty member at the Jazz for Teens and Pre-Teen Program at NJPAC and the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California. She was an artist-in-residence at various universities in the U.S. and Europe with the Clark Terry quintet, Eddie Henderson quartet and as a leader with her own groups. In 2014 she received a B.A. degree in Jazz Performance from Empire State University in NYC.

In 1988 and 1991 Cuenca received jazz performance grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and in 1992 she was a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Drum Competition.

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Liner Notes

Wondering: Harvie S and Roni Ben-Hur featuring Sylvia Cuenca

Read "Wondering: Harvie S and Roni Ben-Hur featuring Sylvia Cuenca" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Though it may seem to be shrouded in mystery, there's a clear explanation for the dovetailing dynamic and palpable chemistry between guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and bassist Harvie S. “We listen intently and we play with a lot of generosity toward each other," shares the noted six-stringer. Believe it or not, it's as simple--and sophisticated--as that. In documenting their work in a trio with drummer Tim Horner on 2018's Introspection, Roni and Harvie formally cemented their longtime partnership ...

2
Album Review

Harvie S, Roni Ben-Hur with Sylvia Cuenca: Wondering

Read "Wondering" reviewed by Troy Dostert


One of the drawbacks of being a consummate sideman is that it can be hard to find time for one's own projects as a leader. That is certainly the case for bassist Harvie S who, in a long career, has distinguished himself with superb work in support of Sheila Jordan, Don Friedman, Alan Broadbent, and many others; however, the sheer quantity of those efforts can cause his own releases to fall through the cracks. Hopefully that will not be the ...

152
Album Review

Sylvia Cuenca: Exit 13

Read "Exit 13" reviewed by Riel Lazarus


Since the organ-drums-guitar trio first came to prominence in the early ‘60s, many have tried and failed to recreate the impassioned, groove-laden drive of its most celebrated practitioners. Exit 13, the newest release by drummer Sylvia Cuenca, represents another such attempt, though, unlike so many before them, the trio here walks away with a measured yet boast-worthy triumph in soul-jazz. Rounded out by organist Kyle Koehler and guitarist Dave Stryker, the Cuenca trio carves capable grooves throughout ...

170
Album Review

Sylvia Cuenca / Kyle Koehler / Dave Stryker: Exit 13

Read "Exit 13" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Sylvia Cuenca is an up-and-coming drummer/percussionist who has plied her wares with the likes of Clark Terry (check out Herr Ober ), David Glasser, Ron McClure, Don Friedman, and Eddie Henderson. She now co-leads the Exit 13 date with organist Kyle Koehler, who most recently has been providing piano support to Matthew Parris (see Circles ). Here, Koehler trades the eighty-eight for an organ and the duo adds the capable Dave Stryker to the mix to produce a low-fat organ ...

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Performance / Tour

Mychelle Colleary, David Budway, Mayra Casales, Sylvia Cuenca, Gavin Fallow @ Metropolitan Room

Mychelle Colleary, David Budway, Mayra Casales, Sylvia Cuenca, Gavin Fallow @ Metropolitan Room

Source: All About Jazz

Mychelle Colleary at The Metropolitan Room

Tuesday, August 28th 9:30 pm @ The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22nd street (between 5th & 6th) Flatiron District, New York City 212-206-0440 Reservations Recommended $20 cover + 2 drink minimum

San Francisco transplant and 2007 MAC award nominee for Outstanding Jazz vocalist, Mychelle Colleary will spend Tuesdays in August at the Metropolitan Room exploring some new arrangements and original ...

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Performance / Tour

Mychelle Colleary, David Budway, Mayra Casales, Essiet Essiet, Sylvia Cuenca @ The Metropolitan Room

Mychelle Colleary, David Budway, Mayra Casales, Essiet Essiet, Sylvia Cuenca @ The Metropolitan Room

Source: All About Jazz

Mychelle Colleary at The Metropolitan Room

Tuesdays, August 21st & 28th 9:30 pm @ The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22nd street (between 5th & 6th) Flatiron District, New York City 212-206-0440 Reservations Recommended $20 cover + 2 drink minimum

San Francisco transplant and 2007 MAC award nominee for Outstanding Jazz vocalist, Mychelle Colleary will spend Tuesdays in August at the Metropolitan Room exploring some new arrangements ...

99

Performance / Tour

The Ed Cherry-Brian Charette-Sylvia Cuenca Trio @"Jules Bistro" tonight!

The Ed Cherry-Brian Charette-Sylvia Cuenca Trio @"Jules Bistro" tonight!

Source: All About Jazz

The Ed Cherry Trio will be performing tonigt @ Jules Bistro(65 st.marks place,bet.1st and 2nd.ave.) 8-11pm w/Brian Charette-organ and Sylvia Cuenca-drums

As a kid,Ed Cherry was initially attracted to rock and r&b.Only later did he get involved in jazz,partly as a result of the influence of his dad,a fan of the music.Ed recalls “confiscating his record collection." Guitarist Ed Cherry has brought his superb artisry to the groups of such diverse heavyweights as Sam Rivers,Big John ...

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Performance / Tour

The Ed Cherry Trio with Kyle Koehler and Sylvia Cuenca at:Bula

The Ed Cherry Trio with Kyle Koehler and Sylvia Cuenca at:Bula

Source: All About Jazz


Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Wondering

Dot Time Records
2022

buy

Wondering

Self Produced
2022

buy

Exit 13

Etoile Records
2003

buy

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