Jazz@Bucknell will present the Manuel Valera Trio on Tuesday, April 2 and 7:30 p.m. in Bucknell Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, New York City-based pianist and composer Manuel Valera is a Grammy-nominated artist who has become well known in NYC’s modern jazz scene working with artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Dafnis Prieto, Antonio Sanchez, and many others. He has released several critically acclaimed albums, including his 2004 debut CD, Forma Nueva, with John Patitucci, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez Bill Stewart and Seamus Blake. His latest release, The Seasons (April 2017), is the second recording featuring his trio with bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer EJ Strickland, with whom he has worked for the past four years. It fuses elements of straight-ahead jazz, Latin jazz and R&B to create a very personal sound with a broad appeal.
Jazz@Bucknell is a chamber series which was conceived to present international modern masters and young visionaries to the campus and surrounding community several times during the year. Programming showcases the entire tradition of jazz, from standards to the Avant-Garde, with an eye on artists who continue the innovative tradition of the music with their personal approaches to sound, style and composition.