PRESS ON VALERA
For complete reviews
go to News & Reviews
"He leaves no doubt that he’s destined to play a role in the future of jazz. Valera shows a keen jazz vocabulary, a gift for creating grooves that invite stellar solo flights from his collaborators and the nerve to romance a melody when it suits him."
Philip van Vleck, Billboard
"The blending of Latin music with jazz harmony and improvisation has produced more than a mere hybrid, as a survey of New York's younger players would reveal. Manuel Valera, a Cuban pianist in his mid-20's, illustrates that evolution handily: postbop and classical romanticism are as integral to his vocabulary as Latin folk forms, and they all find natural expression in his music."
Nate Chinen, New York Times
"Valera’s sophisticated compositions, and his deft, light touch with strings, stimulate consistently intriguing solos. Blake, especially on soprano, is a voice both affectingly plaintive and articulate. Valera makes one powerful piano statement after another, his speed and complexity and chiming touch always building a story."
Thomas Conrad, Jazztimes
"Here’s a Cuban pianist who lives up to all the buzz about the rad chops flaunted by many of New York’s young Caribbean jazzers."
Jim Macnie, Village Voice
"It may be rare to hear a 23-year-old with the exploratory interests and tender
touch of Valera, but it's an unalloyed pleasure to discover a young man so
accomplished that his potential seems boundless. Pianist-composer Manuel Valera is, indeed, prime mover of this Forma Nueva."
Howard Mandel, President, Jazz Journalists Association, Writer for Down Beat and Jazz Times
"His Forma Nueva heralds the arrival of an important Latin jazz pianist."
Nat Chediak, Jazziz
"He is endowed with a profound talent and rich progressive jazz-latin ideas… and offers the portrait of an exceptional young artist emerging as a leader."
Jesse Varela, LatinBeat
"He is a deeply thematic player, often building longer lines from small motifs. But as much as Forma Nueva is a vehicle for his playing, it is also a showcase for his fine writing. Valera’s personal incorporation of Cuban and other ethnic Latin styles into a contemporary post bop context assures him a distinguished place."
John Kelman, All About Jazz
"This cd serves proof that Manuel Valera is a brilliant and potential great pianist."
Allmusic, By Scott Yanow
"Manuel Valera will be one to watch, as his initial recording as a leader was one of the most welcome arrivals on the jazz scene of 2004."
Ken Dryden, The Pulse
"This is arguably the disc to prick up the ears of any discerning jazz piano fan."
John Stevenson, Ejazznews
"An accomplished debut that makes you want to hear more."
Peter Watrous, Descarga.com
"Valera brings considerable talent to the table as shown on this first offering."
Jay Collins, One Final Note
For complete reviews go to News & Reviews