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Fabian Almazan

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Fabian Almazan (born April 16, 1984) is a jazz pianist, composer, and film score composer born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Miami, Florida.

Fabian Almazan
File:Fabian Almazan.jpeg
Background information
Born (1984-04-16) April 16, 1984 (age 40)
Havana, Cuba
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Pianist, Composer, Film Score
InstrumentPiano
LabelsBiophilia Records, Palmetto Records, Blue Note/ArtistShare
Websitehttp://fabianalmazan.com

Biography

In addition to being a solo artist,[1] Almazan is the founder and director of Biophilia Records' and has held the piano chair in Jazz Trumpeter Terence Blanchard's band since 2007.[2] Fabian Almazan began studying classical piano at an early age in his homeland, Havana. Having fled Cuba in political exile to Miami, Florida, his parents could not afford private piano lessons. Pianist Conchita Betancourt graciously taught Almazan free of charge for over three years, allowing him to audition for the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida where he studied from 1998 to 2002.[3]

In 2002, Almazan was selected for the piano chair in the National Grammy High School Jazz Combo. Almazan later went on to win the piano chair for the Brubeck Institute fellowship program based in northern California where he studied with Mark Levine and performed with Dave Brubeck and Christian McBride. In 2003, Almazan moved to New York City, where he studied with Kenny Barron at the Manhattan School of Music. While pursuing his bachelor's degree, Almazan studied instrumentation and orchestration with Giampaolo Bracali. Under Bracali, Almazan composed pieces for orchestra and chamber ensembles. In 2009, Almazan received his master's degree from Manhattan School of Music, as a recipient of the Michael W. Greene Scholarship, studying privately with Jason Moran. Almazan received the Cintas Foundation 2010/11 Brandon Fradd Award in Music Composition.[3] In 2011, Almazan was selected as one of six composers to participate in the Sundance Institute Composers' Lab, where he studied with such acclaimed film composers as George S. Clinton, Peter Golub, Harry Gregson-Williams, Ed Shearmur, Alan Silvestri, and Christopher Young.[4] Since 2007, Almazan has toured extensively with the Terence Blanchard Quintet, of which he is a current member. Almazan is said to be "one of the great young talents of his generation” by Blanchard.[4] Almazan has also performed alongside esteemed artists such as Gretchen Parlato, Paquito D'Rivera, Christian Scott, Chris Dingman, David Sanchez, Stefon Harris, Kendrick Scott, and Ambrose Akinmusire, among others.[5]

Personalities, Almazan's debut album as a leader, was released in October 2011 on Biophillia/Palmetto Records, and featured Linda Oh, Henry Cole, Meg Okura, Megan Gould, Karen Waltuch, and Noah Hoffeld. Almazan "demonstrates intuitive control over Latin jazz repertoire and feeling"[6] and his music is referred to as "intense and crystalline",[7] "multifaceted and intriguing",[8] and full of "unexpected twists".[9]

Almazan's latest album, Rhizome, released in the Spring of 2014 was the very first project to be released on the joint label Blue Note/ArtistShare.[10][11]

Fabian Almazan Trio

The Fabian Almazan trio has been comprised of bassist Linda May Han Oh and Henry Cole (drums) since 2007. The trio unveiled music of both extraordinary complexity and transparent beauty starting with their 2009 album entitled "Personalities", celebrating with a breakthrough week at the Village Vanguard that was webcast by NPR.

Rhizome

Although originally recorded as part of Fabian Almazan's debut album "Personalities" [Biophilia Records], it was not until 2012 that the ensemble adopted the name "Rhizome." The word rhizome refers to the subterranean part of a plant that is able to survive from season to season despite the harsh conditions that may exists above-ground; it provides the tree/plant with the nourishment it needs to continue living and sprout forth new shoots. The ensemble is comprised of composer and pianist Fabian Almazan, bassist Linda May Han Oh, drummer Henry Cole, singer & guitarist Camila Meza, violinist Megan Gould, violinist Tomoko Omura, Violist Karen Waltuch and cellist Noah Hoffeld. Rhizome explores a myriad of textures/improvisational settings. Although the ensemble has it's roots grounded in jazz and classical traditions, it is harmony, timbre and rhythm rather than any specific genre that guides Rhizome through its musical journey.

Biophilia Records

Biophilia Records is an independent American record company and label in Harlem, New York City founded in 2011 by pianist and composer Fabian Almazan.[1]

Guided by the Biophilia hypothesis, (the instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems) Biophilia Records sets itself apart from traditional music labels. In addition to creating meaningful and imaginative music, Biophilia artists are united by a common interest in climate change and the environmental justice. Artists collaborate with organizations that specialize in conservation, sustainability and outreach initiatives, volunteering, hands-on in community events.

Biophilia Records created the Biopholio™[2], a new environmentally-friendly format providing an alternative to the CD. The Biopholio™ is a double-sided, 20-panel origami medium, bursting with vibrant artwork and liner notes; each one made entirely out of FSC-certified, robust paper, hand-folded and printed using plant-based inks. Inside each Biopholio™ is a unique code for the listener to digitally download the music in hers/his preferred format including uncompressed WAV and AIFF files. This innovative design caters to the environmentally-conscious listener, who is aware of the harmful effects of plastic in the environment.

Discography

As leader

  • Personalities (2012, Biophilia/Palmetto Records)
  • Rhizome (2014, Blue Note/ArtistShare)
  • SWR New Jazz Meeting 2015 (2017, SWR Jazzhaus)
  • Alcanza (2017, Biophilia Records)
  • This Land Abounds With Life (2019, Biophilia Records)

As sideman

Filmography

Composer

  • 2010 First Match (short)
  • 2011 The Recorder Exam (short)
  • 2014 Reaching Home (short)
  • 2014 Socks & Bonds (short)
  • 2015 Understudies (TV Movie)
  • 2015 The Sonnet Project (TV Series) (1 episode) - Sonnet #144 (2015)
  • 2015 Somewhere in the Waves
  • 2016 Dots

Soundtrack

Actor

References

  1. ^ NPR.org Fabian Almazan Trio String Quartet Live at the Village Vanguard, Retrieved November 2013.
  2. ^ JazzTimes.com Fabian Almazan Scores Big, Retrieved November 2013.
  3. ^ a b Almazan, Fabian Official Site-Biography, Retrieved November 2013.
  4. ^ a b West, Michael J. Fabian Almazan Scores Big, JazzTimes.com, January 12, 2012.
  5. ^ ArtistShare Featured Artists ArtistShare.com, Retrieved November 2013.
  6. ^ Jarenwattananon, Patrick Fabian Almazan: Live at the Village Vanguard, NPR.org, October 12, 2011.
  7. ^ Ratliff, Ben Ear-Openers: New Sounds, No Dogma, NYTimes.com, January 8, 2012.
  8. ^ Turner, Mark F. Fabian Almazan: Personalities (2011), AllAboutJazz.com, September 29, 2011.
  9. ^ Barton, Chris In rotation: Fabian Almazan Trio's 'Personalities' LATimes.com, October 21, 2011.
  10. ^ ArtistShare Rhizome Project Page ArtistShare.com, Referenced November 2013.
  11. ^ Fabian Almazan to release "Rhizome" on Blue Note-ArtistShare BlueNote.com, October 22, 2013.
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