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06.24.06 | 2006 Chamber Music America New Works Commission Recipient
Manuel receives the New Works Commission from Chamber Music America.
06.06.06 | Valera Records "Numerico"
Valera takes bassist Hans Glawishnig and drummer Ernesto Simpson into the studio and records his fourth cd of original compositions entitled "Numerico."
04.15.06 | MELANCOLIA: Captivating and Intense
With a handful of discs to get through I often don't get to pay full attention to each one. When I put on "Melancolia," though, I had to sit down and listen as it is a very captivating disc. It sort of reminded me of Wayne Shorter's current group with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade in its intensity but it was easier to wrap up in. The tender moments were just as captivating, and the judicious use of strings actually had me wanting more rather than wishing I could turn of the sappy background.
Dennis Diener, 94.3 WYBC
04.01.06 | MELANCOLIA is a compelling musical journey
Manuel Valera’s equanimity as a composer and arranger is astounding fresh, with each defined stroke of the key you’ll find his talent simply invigorating. His unanticipated surges on the piano serve up a delicious palette of music that’s fused with the elements of Jazz, Latin and Classical. If you dig Latin Jazz, intertwined with continuity and savvy contemporary flavors that’s embroidered with the discipline of classical artistry then the Manuel Valera Group will definitely take you on a compelling musical journey that you’ve been waiting for.
ROB YOUNG, Jazz Critic, Abract Grooves
03.25.06 | MELANCOLIA: A highly sophisticated Latin sound, accompanied by a string quartet
Valera’s a young talented pianist who transcends the Latin genre to a higher more universal calling. "Melancolía" is a different, more varied sound, exploring other subtle avenues. This cd represents a highly sophisticated Latin sound, accompanied by a string quartet and shows a rare subtle nuance as Latin mixes with the harmonic dexterity of modern jazz. This reminds me of the kind of sophistication Bill Evan demonstrated at an early age. There’s an aerated flights reminiscent of a Pat Metheny as Valera skirts around with soaring string accompaniment on a Rachmaninoff “Prelude” with samba andante.
The deeper you probe into this CD the more profundity will occur. Frequent listens to a jazz CD will engender different subtle flavors. There’s so much music here to digest in a simple setting. Valera’s “Melancolia” requires numerous listens to decipher the true genius. “O Melancolia” will carry you away as a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel of mutable turns and notices.
Dick Crockett, STILL ANOTHER JAZZ SHOW, “The Voice” 88.7fm
03.23.06 | Manuel Valera - Melancolia Cd Release Party at the Jazz Gallery on March 23rd
Yosvany Terry (s) | Hans Glawischnig (b) | Ernesto Simpson (d) | Manuel Valera (p)
Sets are 9pm and 10:30pm
02.16.06 | Melancolia: #3 on Bob Parlocha’s Top 40 Pick of the Week
Bob Parlocha is a nationally known jazz expert and former program director/ host of KJAZ of san francisco. His dynamic and informative website is dedicated to supporting jazz.
05.27.05 | JAZZTIMES "Forma Nueva" by Thomas Conrad
Manuel Valera's Forma Nueva (Mavo) is one of the most promising piano recording debuts in recent years. Valera was born 23 years ago in Cuba, where he studied classical saxophone, and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 14—which is also when he began playing piano. What is impressive about Forma Nueva is not Valera's eclecticism, which is expected, nor even his command of the keyboard, which approaches Brad Mehldau levels of completeness. It is rather the elegance with which he shapes his high-energy expressiveness into intricate, flowing musical wholes.
Valera's colleagues—John Patitucci on bass, Horacio Hernandez or Bill Stewart on drums, Seamus Blake on tenor on four numbers—are so musically athletic they are able to follow and even anticipate the pianist’s most extravagant ideational outpourings. The piece that most persuasively demonstrates Valera's artistic maturity is the only standard, Jimmy McHugh's “Say It (Over And Over Again),” with its patient revelation of personal emotional truth.
03.20.05 | Up & Coming Musician of the Year Nominee
Jazz Journalists Association's Ninth Annual Jazz Awards Celebrates
Excellence in Musicianship and Journalism with Final Nominees
Manuel is a final nominee of this year's Jazz Journalist Association's awards in the Up & Coming Musician of the Year category. He is one of four in the category along with Sean Jones, Jeremy Pelt and Madeleine Peyroux. The winners will be announced at the 2005 JJA Jazz Awards celebration on June 14th.
01.28.05 | BILLBOARD reviews "Forma Nueva"
Cuban-born pianist/composer Manuel Valera has been paying his jazz dues for some time now, having toured with, among others, Paquito D'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Steve Turre, John Benitez and Dave Valentin. He has also appeared as the solo guest artist for the Wayne Shorter Trio. With "Forma Nueva," Valera assumes the role of leader. He authored or arranged the 12 songs on the album, asserting his keyboard and compositional virtuosity. In the process he leaves no doubt that he's destined to play a role in the future of jazz. Abetted by John Patitucci (bass), Bill Stewart (drums), Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (drums) and Seamus Blake (saxophone), 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. Begin your exploration of this choice album with the title track, "Metaphorically Speaking," "Say It (Over and Over Again)" and "Displaced."�PVV
01.28.05 | RECIPIENT OF THE 2005 ASCAP YOUNG COMPOSERS AWARD
01.27.05 | JAZZREVIEW.COM reviews "Forma Nueva"
All you really need to know about whether debut CD by Cuban pianist/composer/arranger Manuel Valera is any good is to look at who accompanies him: outstanding young saxophonist Seamus Blake, chop-monster bassist John Patitucci and either Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez or Bill Stewart on drums – who are both more than experts and masters of their craft. Musicians of this level don't waste their time on hacks. Valera doesn’t just hold his own with these greats, he shows himself to be one of them.
It’s no wonder musicians of both Latin and straight-ahead jazz styles, like Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Valentin, Claudio Roditi and Eddie Gomez want to work with Valera. Valera has his musical knowledge and abilities down cold. Knowing he studied with master teachers such as George Garzone, Jane Ira Bloom and Richie Bierach only confirm what listening will tell you – Valera has all of the capable technical, musical and pianistic/sentimental-feeling skills necessary to be a complete performer, and they are all richly on display in Forma Nueva.
The music on the CD contains some great electrifying jazz that, while at times Latin- and at other times bop-influenced, is always interesting and totally accessible. Displaced, for example, aptly demonstrates what is heard throughout the entire recording. Opening with a strong bop-backed up-tempo ensemble feel in the rhythm section, Blake’s tenor saxophone lingers, through the use of sustained notes in the melody, as a contrasting and lingering plea to the rolling boil provided underneath. When Blake starts his solo, however, the term lingering is in no one’s lexicon. As he moves over and through the changes Valera backs him up with a Havana Guaganco rhythm that so totally fits the bop feel you wonder why more musicians haven’t tried to mix textures of this sort in the past. Valera literally rips it up when it’s his turn. Not content to just show mastery, his technical prowess is aimed at melodic accessibility and playing meaningful lines – not just lines. Hernandez finishes the pyro-techniques with a strong solo over a keyboard/bass montuno. If not for Patitucci’s flawless feel for both the rhythms and changes employed this tune would never work. His lines are always complementary to the music and help propel the music onward through the use of forward-leaning lines.
There is not a weak tune or cut to be found anywhere on this disc, and all of the musicians brought their A-games to the recordings sessions. The list of young lions just increased by one. You will be hearing more from Valera in the future, and that you can bank on.
Reviewed by: Dr. Thomas R. Erdmann - Elon University
01.02.05 | DESCARGA.com Review by Peter Watrous
Here comes another highly able jazz pianist from Cuba, one who had the good sense to mix it up with American musicians. So on Forma Nueva he uses both El Negro on drums and Bill Stewart, along with John Patitucci on bass (who’s best known for his work with Chick Corea and Danilo Perez) and Seamus Blake on saxophone, who's one of New York’s better young saxophonists. The group takes on Valera's originals and two standards, "Drume Negrita," from Cuba, and "Say It (Over and Over Again)" from the United States, and he applies modern -- that's to say, Coltrane and the Wayne/Herbie, Chick etc. era harmony to it all. An accomplished debut that makes you want to hear more.
01.01.05 | THE PULSE Review by Ken Dryden
"One of the most welcome arrivals on the jazz scene of 2004"
It is refreshing to run across a jazz composer and pianist like Manuel Valera, a young man who displays a wide-ranging synthesis of various musical styles in his original works. His provocative debut as a leader is primarily a trio affair, with bassist John Patitucci and either Bill Stewart or Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums. "Metaphorically Speaking," which adds tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, is a hypnotic post-bop chart. "Simplicity" slowly evolves into a volcanic intensity by building upon a repeated motif, showcasing Blake to good effect. Blake switches to soprano sax for the delicate "Things Aren’t What They Seem," a haunting melody that refuses to let go of one's senses. Hernandez takes over for "Forma Nueva," an unpredictable Latin flavored vehicle showcasing a fine solo by Patitucci, as well as the leader’s thrilling piano. "Abue" is a lovely ballad honoring his grandmother, with an intricate theme and delicate rhythm. His "En Cinco" is a soft, subtle salsa, while the adventurous "Como NG" keeps the listener guessing as Valera navigates its demanding musical terrain. 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.
12.30.04 | LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE Review by Jesse Varela
Who is Manuel Valera? A very gifted pianist who shows on his debut album, Forma Nueva, that he is endowed with a profound talent and rich, progressive jazz-latin ideas. With the superb New York City "A" Team of Seamus Blake (sax), John Patitucci (bass), and alternating trap drummers Bill Stewart and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, he shares mostly original compositions and showcases his technically flawless and unobtrusive touch, a quality that creates excellent layers of interplay to compliment soloists and themes. The title track is a perfect example of this nuance, as the trio plays out and within. The son of Cuban saxophonist Manuel Valera Sr., he has paid his dues playing with Paquito D'Rivera, Steve Turre and others. Educated in Cuba's music schools, he has studied with Chucho Valdes and although the influence is there, it is fading, as he establishes his own voice. Seamus Blake jams on Prey to Indulgence, the jazz-danzon Abue is touching; En Cinco is a cool 5/4 chachacha; Como NG is hot Cuban jazz dance. The album concludes with the haunting ballad Things Aren’t What They Seem (featuring Blake on soprano) and offers the portrait of an exceptional young artist emerging as a leader.
11.19.04 | JAZZ WEEK Reviews "Forma Nueva" by Ed Trefzger
Just 24 years old, Cuban-born pianist Manuel Valera is poised for startdom with his debut release as a leader. Valera surrounds himself with a formidable cast of players on this self-produced album: Seamus Blake on saxophone, John Patitucci on bass, and Horacio �El Negro� Hernandez and Bill Stewart sharing duties on drums. Valera includes mostly his own compositons, which range from what he says sounds a bit like an old Blue Note track, the swinging �Simplicity�, to the exciting rhythms of the 10/4 �Displaced�, to the aptly titled �Cinco� in 5/4 time. While there are Latin influences, this is decidedly not a Latin jazz album, so stations that don�t program Latin jazz should not shy away. Beautifully lyrical, while also intensely rhythmic at times, Forma Nueva has me anticipating even more great things ahead; if this is just thing beginning for Valera, we�ve got a lot to look forward to. � Ed Trefzger
11.19.04 | MIAMI NEW TIMES Reviews "Forma Nueva"
Pianist and composer Manuel Valera is not interested in the usual Latin licks over post-bop beats, but in the shape of cubano jazz to come. On his new CD, Forma Nueva, he's joined by the adventuresome John Patitucci on bass and rim shot master Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums, among others. A handful of Latin references, carefully chosen, subtly lie in wait, like a young lion, to pounce on you. Case in point: "Displaced," where a Bill Evans-y antiseptic motif is, with a turn of a chord, accosted by a hot and heavy guaguanco, cowbell and all, thanks to "El Negro." Valera negotiates the change well, showing and proving that he can heat it up with the best.
By Makkada Boula Selah
11.11.04 | AllMUSIC.COM Reviews "Forma Nueva"
Pianist Manuel Valera combines together the influences of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock with a mastery of Afro-Cuban jazz to form his own fresh style. On this modern mainstream set, Valera excels at both straight-ahead and Latin rhythms. Most selections feature a trio with the brilliant bassist John Patitucci and either Horacio Hernndez or Bill Stewart on drums, while four numbers add guest saxophonist Seamus Blake. Valera's post-bop originals (all but two of the dozen songs are his) tend to be complex, but some are a bit more accessible than expected due to the rhythmic patterns. The tender version of "Say It (Over and Over Again)" is a change of pace and quite memorable. Overall, this CD serves as proof that Manuel Valera, despite not being that well known yet, is a brilliant and potentially great jazz pianist. Recommended.
By Scott Yanow
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:r2kvikmsbb69
11.05.04 | Forma Nueva Receiving Nationwide Airplay
Forma Nueva has been warmly received by programmers around the US since its release to radio in October. Nearly 100 stations are playing the CD which was in the Top-5 list of jazz CDs added by college radio stations during the weeks of October 11, 18 and 25.
It was the #1 played CD on KUVO Denver the week of October 25th and is also getting played heavily on WDNA in Miami, KCSM in San Francisco, WHRV in Norfolk, VA and WGMC in Rochester, NY.
The leading nationally syndicated jazz radio programs -- "Jazz With Bob Parlocha" and Jim Wilke's "Jazz After Hours"-- have both programmed Forma Nueva which debuted on Parlocha's Top-25 list of recommended new releases.
Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks!
10.24.04 | JAZZIZ Reviews "Forma Nueva"--By Nat Chediak
His Forma Nueva heralds the arrival of an important Latin jazz pianist. As befits a maiden opus, the album is a sampler influences that range from Debussy and the Impressionists to the Miles-Evans-Coltrane axis. Working mostly in a trio setting, Valeras talent shines where his knowledge of --- and ease with --- latin forms lend his jazz chops a clear identity. As an added treat, check out his red-hot montuno. Stalwarts Bill Stewart and Horacio El Negro Hernandez share trap duties, and John Patitucci anchors the session on bass. Young turk Seamus Blake weaves in and out on sax. But the New York-based Valera is what this Forma is all about.
Nat Chediak, Jazziz Nov/2004
10.24.04 | From the Liner Notes -- By Howard Mandel
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
10.14.04 | ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM Reviews "Forma Nueva"
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.
John Kelman, Allaboutjazz.com
10.13.04 | ONEFINALNOTE.COM reviews "Forma Nueva"
"Valera brings considerable talent to the table as shown on this first offering"
Jay Collins, Onefinalnote.com Aug/2004
10.12.04 | FORMA NUEVA and Itunes
You can now download "FORMA NUEVA" from the Itunes Music Store
10.11.04 | Cd Release -- FORMA NUEVA
featuring John Patitucci, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Seamus Blake and Bill Stewart.
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