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Pianist Manuel Valera released his new CD “The Planets” on Mavo Records this week. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba and now based in New York City, Grammy nominated pianist and composer Manuel Valera has become well known in the NYC modern jazz scene ending his talents as a pianist and composer to such notable artists as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Joel Frahm to name just a few.
Pianist Manuel Valera released his new CD “The Planets” on Mavo Records this week. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba and now based in New York City, Grammy nominated pianist and composer Manuel Valera has become well known in the NYC modern jazz scene ending his talents as a pianist and composer to such notable artists as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Joel Frahm to name just a few.
As a leader Manual has been nothing but prolific with this latest release being his thirteenth release. In addition “The Planets” is his third outing with his current trio featuring bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer EJ Strickland. Valera has also been the recipient of many composition grants and the music on this album is a result of a commission by the Chamber Music America/Doris Duke 2017 New Jazz Works program.
With the solar system as inspiration the music is harmonically and melodically based on Nicolas Slonimsky’s Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns. Each part of the suite aims at an impressionistic characterization of the astronomical qualities of each planet. In addition, Greek mythology’s gods (and Roman counterparts) particular energy and connection to the planets were also an inspiration in the process. i.e. Mars: The God of War, Jupiter: The God of the Sky.
Slonimsky’s book has been a source of influence for composers such as Coltrane, Allan Holdsworth and Frank Zappa. Valera has been working and developing the concepts from the Thesaurus for the past 15 years in New York and The Planets marks a new period in Valera’s deepening and never-ending studying and understanding of Slonimsky’s masterpiece.
Release Date: 6 April 2018
Format: CD | Digital
Label: Mavo Records
Track Listing:
Sun Prelude I; I Mercury-The Messenger; Sun Prelude II; II Venus-Peace;, Intro to Earth; IIIEarth-History of Us; IV Mars-Ancient Warrior; Sun Prelude III; V Jupiter-Joyous Thunder; VI Saturn-The Wise One; VII Uranus-Morphing Skies; VIII Neptune-Prophet of the Seas; Bonus Tracks: Llora; Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters.
Personnel:
Manuel Valera: piano; Hans Glawischnig: bass; E.J. Strickland: drums.
Last modified: March 21, 2020
