Tickets: Free
GENRE(S):
BoomBox Truck, Eclectic, Jazz Beyond
Schedule:
6pm: DJ TBA
7:30pm: Bennett Roth-Newell
8:45pm: Javier Santiago
San Jose Jazz's Do You Know San Jose? series continues, with the SJZ Boombox Truck heading out to Oakridge Mall.
Pianist Javier Santiago is an artistic visionary who embraces traditions in music while forging ahead with innovations in new sounds, technology and concepts. The piano has been always been one of his main mediums of expression and composition – but his music consists of all instrumentations – ranging from big bands, string quartets and the acoustic piano trio to hip-hop beats and the integration of synthesizers, keyboards and other electronics....
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Tickets: Free
GENRE(S):
BoomBox Truck, Eclectic, Jazz Beyond
Schedule:
6pm: DJ TBA
7:30pm: Bennett Roth-Newell
8:45pm: Javier Santiago
San Jose Jazz's Do You Know San Jose? series continues, with the SJZ Boombox Truck heading out to Oakridge Mall.
Pianist Javier Santiago is an artistic visionary who embraces traditions in music while forging ahead with innovations in new sounds, technology and concepts. The piano has been always been one of his main mediums of expression and composition – but his music consists of all instrumentations – ranging from big bands, string quartets and the acoustic piano trio to hip-hop beats and the integration of synthesizers, keyboards and other electronics.
In 2007, Santiago was selected by the great Dave Brubeck and a panel of judges to be a part of the Brubeck Institute Fellowship program at the University of the Pacific in California. It was there that he was able to study with some of the greatest musicians in the world; Christian McBride, Robert Glasper, Nicholas Payton and Joshua Redman to name a few. While at the Brubeck Institute, Santiago was fortunate enough to play at venues all across the nation such as the Detroit Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center and Blues Alley (Washington, D.C.), IAJE and Yoshi’s Jazz Club.
Santiago received his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Piano Performance in late 2011 at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC – where he studied with numerous jazz legends including Reggie Workman, George Cables, Billy Harper and Jane Ira Bloom. During his time in NYC he played regularly at venues such as Smalls Jazz Club, 55 Bar, The Iridium, and several others. He also was a finalist in the 2015 American Jazz Pianist Competition.
After releasing several beat tapes showcasing his music production skills, Santiago independently released his 5-song debut EP of all original compositions, Year of the Horse in 2015. This release marked the end of his five-year stay in NYC, where he performed regularly at venues like Smalls Jazz Club and 55 Bar.
In 2016 Santiago became a recipient of the 2016 McKnight Fellowship for Musicians. He returned to the studio to record his debut LP of all original compositions entitled Phoenix with a sextet including his former east coast trio consisting of drummer Corey Fonville and bassist Zach Brown – as well as saxophonists Dayna Stephens and Ben Flocks and guitarist Nir Felder. It features guests such as trumpeter Nicholas Payton, John Raymond and vocalist J. Hoard.
Along with being an accomplished pianist, Santiago is also a prolific composer. His work is an eclectic blend of American music – ranging from jazz and blues all the way to hip-hop and indie rock and world music. He is also an educator, arranger and producer.
Do You Know San Jose? is San Jose Jazz's new initiative that explores the music, people and special places of San Jose, spotlighting the important role of live music as a part of its cultural identity. April–October, 2019, 15 events will pop up in every corner of the city featuring a variety of musicians and cultural activities.
Special Thanks:
Knight Foundation
Photo by Andrea Canter
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