Fran Vielma premiered this stellar band in 2021 to showcase contemporary jazz blended in the musics of Pan-America, a historic blend that started around 19th century in New Orleans with the Afro-Caribbean diaspora greatly encouraged by the Haitian Revolution. Artists like Justo Aspiazú, Chano Pozo, Mario Bauza, Machito, Chico O’Farrell, Dizzy Gillespie, as well as Lucho Bermudez in Colombia, Aldemaro Romero in Venezuela, and Astor Piazzolla in Argentina have been an inspiration to the multi-awarded composer and percussionist Fran Vielma.
Vielma is currently working on the orchestra's debut album to be released in 2026, featuring a cast of world-class musicians after holding a residency at Mr. Henry’s Jazz Club -in Washington, DC since 2022. It has performed extensively around the Washington/Baltimore Metropolitan area including the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Sonic Lifeline Baltimore Jazz Series, Hispanic Jazz Series of the legendary Blues Alley Jazz Club, and Takoma Station Latin Jazz Series among other venues.
About the leader:
“a percussion colourist of great distinction... leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all – his understanding of instrumental timbre...” –Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018.
Hailing from Venezuelan Andes, Fran Vielma is a critically acclaimed and award-winning multi-percussionist, composer, and educator. His continuous research on the rhythms of America, and beyond, is integrated with his attraction to concert music and the freedom of jazz.
Vielma recently premiered his suite “Common Grounds” at SFJAZZ commissioned by the prestigious Chamber Music America - New Jazz Works and has been a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellow since 2019. Additionally, has been a Jazz Road Tours Grantee by South Arts.
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