“a percussion colourist of great distinction… leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all – his understanding of instrumental timbre...” –Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018.
“The ensemble is not quite hard-bop and not quite salsa-they are something more complex and unprecedented, and take sharp turns at times.”Phillip Freeman Downbeat Magazine 2018.
"it’s not just the rhythmic potency of Venezuelan music that stands out here; indeed, on a number of the tracks it's Vielma's indebtedness to the wider jazz tradition that is striking."Troy Dostert All About Jazz 2018...
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“a percussion colourist of great distinction… leans heavily on his aptitude for, and particular genius for counterpoint and most of important of all – his understanding of instrumental timbre...” –Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network 2018.
“The ensemble is not quite hard-bop and not quite salsa-they are something more complex and unprecedented, and take sharp turns at times.”Phillip Freeman Downbeat Magazine 2018.
"it’s not just the rhythmic potency of Venezuelan music that stands out here; indeed, on a number of the tracks it's Vielma's indebtedness to the wider jazz tradition that is striking."Troy Dostert All About Jazz 2018
“a superb recording with an excellent band, superior compositions and superb soloing.” Ron Weinstock, Jazz and Blues Report 2018
Isaac Wilson - Piano
Peter Slavov - Double Bass
Hery Paz - Saxes
Fran Vielma - Percussions
Fran Vielma, born in Venezuela,is a multipercussionist, composer, educator with an extensive knowledge of Caribbean, Venezuelan, and Southamerican rhythms and drums. Vielma's performance and compositional esthetic integrates rhythmic elements of his native Venezuela, the nuance and variety of classical and world music styles, as well as the freedom of jazz.His first album “Inesperado”was part of a catalog for the record label Cacao Musicalong with productions of international artists such as Horacio “El Negro”Hernandez, Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito,” and Negroni’s trio among others.
Fran Vielma’s recent album Tendencias with his Venezuelan Jazz Collective features outstanding jazz figures like Luis Perdomo, Michael Rodriguez, and Miguel Zenónand has been very well receibed by music critics:
His versatility as a percussionist, arranger, and orchestrator of different genres from Caribbean and Afro-Venezuelan to Jazz, world, and concert music has involved him in recording projects, tours, and festivals with renowned musicians in Venezuela, Mexico, South Korea, United States, Panama, and Australia.
Fran attended the Arts University (UNEARTE) for composition in Venezuela and in 2010 transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA awarded by a scholarship. Vielma earned a Master in Jazz Studies at New England Conservatory having Ken Schaphorst, Billy Hart, Jerry Bergonzi, andBob Mosesas some of his mentors.
Vielma has received multiple awards and honors and his scholarly interests have immersed him in the study of musics of the world, which he currently teaches as an adjunct faculty at at Salem State University, MA. He has offered seminars, lectures, and masterclasses at Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, BELL Summer Camp -Building Educated Leaders for Life, The Andes University and Caracas Jazz Workshop in Venezuela, and at The Panama Jazz Festival.
He was recerntly appointed as a Teching Artist of the DC Youth Orchestra Program. Fran Vielma uses Istambul Mehmet Cymbals, Vater Percussion Sticks, and Meinl Percussion.
$20 advance /$23 door /$10 full time students with ID
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