Manuel Valera New Cuban Express Big Band | Expectativas
MANUEL VALERA

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Here's the first single from 'Distancia,' the second album from Manuel Valera's New Cuban Express Big Band, which will be released by Greenleaf Music on March 18. https://smarturl.it/MV_Distancia

Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Manuel Valera (Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Smith) hails from Cuba and is an integral part of the New York City’s vibrant music scene. ‘Distancia’ is the second album from his New Cuban Express Big Band, a spirited ensemble that fuses the music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil to forge innovative sounds and textures.

The album draws upon searing personal experiences – going through personal loss, and having to pick up the pieces to move forward. Valera uses the broad palette of the big band to express a wide range of moods and emotions. From the haunting “From Afar,” to the buoyant “Expectativas”, and the fiery “Gemini,” the writing is dynamic and varied and the ensemble brings out the nuances with both grace and gusto.

The band features some of New York’s best creative musicians, including vocalists Camila Meza and Bogna Kicinska as well as standout soloists Charles Pillow, Remy Le Beouf, and Mike Fahie. Produced by Kabir Sehgal (Chucho Valdés, Arturo O'Farrill) and Doug Davis (Brian Lynch, John Daversa), Manuel Valera presents a very personal album of engaging contemporary big band jazz.

Personnel:
VOICE
Camila Meza, voice (3, 4)
Bogna Kicinska, voice (7)

TRUMPETS
Brian Pareschi (lead)
Michael Rodriguez (3, 5, 6, 8)
Stuart Mack (on all except 5 & 8)
David Smith
Alex Norris (on all except 3 & 6)

SAXES
Michael Thomas, alto sax, soprano sax & flute
Roman Filiu, alto sax & flute (3, 5, 6, 8)
Remy LeBoeuf, alto sax & flute (1, 2, 4, 7)
Joel Frahm, tenor saxophone (3, 5, 6, 8)
Jeremy Powell, tenor saxophone, clarinet (1, 2, 4, 7)
Andrew Gutauskas, baritone saxophone & bass clarinet

TROMBONES
Matt Macdonald (lead)
John Yao (3, 5, 6, 8)
Mike Fahie (1, 2, 4, 7)
Andy Clausen (3, 5, 6, 8)
Sam Blakeslee (1, 2, 4, 7)
Jeff Nelson, bass trombone

RHYTHM SECTION
Manuel Valera, piano
Alex Goodman, guitar
Ricky Rodriguez, bass (3, 5, 6, 8)
Hamish Smith, bass (1, 2, 4, 7)
Jimy Macbride, drums
Samuel Torres, percussion

Production Credits
Executive Producer: Dave Douglas
Producer: Kabir Sehgal, Doug Davis, & Manuel Valera
Recorded at Orange Sheep Studios on December 8 & 9, 2019 and Oct 1 & 9, 2020
Recording Engineer: Chris Berham
Mixing and Mastering Engineer: Oscar Autie

All compositions by Manuel Valera (ValeraMusic / ASCAP)

#ManuelValera #Distancia #GreenleafMusic