Vientos is another major step forward for composer
and bandleader Manuel Valera who is one of the most acclaimed young pianists on the New York jazz scene. The recording is an infringement upon the barriers of a music category to create a new synthesis of jazz, Latin, and European classical musics and represents a breakthrough from an artist that Jazz Times has hailed as “a major new talent.” Though
Valera—all of 26 years old—combines elements of jazz and classical music reminiscent of the so-called “third stream” of the 1960s, he reaches a “fourth stream” on Vientos through the Latin music influences that also inform the album. At times, transcending genre altogether. Billboard recently predicted Valera is “destined to play a role in the future of jazz,” and that future is now.

Vientos boasts twelve new original compositions and features saxophonist Joel Frahm, bassist James Genus and Cuban drummer Ernesto Simpson with a complimentary woodwind quintet.

Pianist Manuel Valera merges a classical woodwind quintet with his traditional jazz quartet on a whirlwind of original adventure and swing. In Spanish, the word 'vientos' means winds. Not only is the record called "Vientos" because of the obvious woodwinds, but also because the music has a flowing wind-like feel.

Manuel Valera: piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano
Joel Frahm: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
James Genus: double bass
Ernesto Simpson: drums
Aaron Heick: oboe, English horn
Anne Drummond: flute, alto flute
Anat Cohen: clarinet
Charles Pillow: bass clarinet, English horn
Michael Rabinowitz: bassoon