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- New York City Jazz Record reviews Banned In London and Textures and Pulsations (May 2013):
"Ortiz’ keyboard command is aptly demonstrated... With such fine playing, he may soon be the subject of his composition 'The Maestro'."
Ben Ratliff of the New York Times reviews Aruán's recent recordings (January 25,2013):
Aruán Ortiz's "Orbiting" reviewed in Wartajazz.comJanuary 7, 2013Aruán records Afro Horn MX's latest album at the Samurai Hotel with Francisco Mora-Catlett, Sam Newsome, Salim Washington, Rashaan Carter, Román Díaz, Danys Pérez (La Mora), and the Oyú Oró Chorus.ARUÁN ORTIZ & MICHAEL JANISCH QUINTET Release "Banned in London" (Whirlwind Records)
NEW RELEASES:
Textures and Pulsations, by Bob Gluck and Aruán Ortiz.
“It works exceedingly well. Both inventive in their own ways, compositionally and performing, which makes for some intrigue, as well as the risk of stepping over the toes of one another (they don’t). An album that’ll appeal to the avant-garde crowd, the piano enthusiast, and some modern classical fans..." Dave Sumner, eMusic “Jazz Picks"
Buy a copy now!
Banned in London, by the Aruán Ortiz & Michael Janisch Quintet featuring Greg Osby, Rudy Royston, and Raynald Colom. Go to aomjquintet.com for more info.
"Best Albums of 2012" (Critics' List)
London Jazz and The Jazz Breakfast
"A 5 Star transatlantic group... it's jazz as a truly global artform."
BBC Jazz Radio Three
"★★★★"
Jazzwise Magazine, The Financial Times, The Irish Times
"A thick and rich brew of music" The Independent
"The playing is world class...the live vibe makes it feel almost as good as being there"
The Guardian
Buy a copy now!
Orbiting, a jazz album recorded in NYC with his quartet was released on Fresh Sound Records April 2012.
Read the latest review in Canadian Audiophile.
"Ortiz's pen shines in a new light, the music lyrical, dramatic, creating suspense."
★★★★½
Downbeat Magazine, August 2012
Santiarican Blues Suite was commisioned for the 25th anniversary celebration performance of the José Mateo Ballet Theater in May 2011, and was released April 2012 on Sunnyside Records.
"One of the finest works of modern music."
"This record by a very special artist will go down as one of the most significant works of music. Its power, significance and beauty will forever linger in the soul, where all musical art is enjoyed to the fullest."
Latin Jazz Network
"Aruan Ortiz’s Santiarican Blues Suite... was exciting, beautiful and entertaining. The bright colors and Latin rhythms made were enrapturing, and before I knew it the piece had come to an end before I was ready."
Boston Theatre Review
Mark Weinstein's El Cumbanchero (Jazzahead), produced and arranged by Aruán hit #1 on the Jazzweek World music chart for the week of December 13, 2011 and was nominated in 5 categories in the 2011 Latin Jazz Corner Best Of The Year Awards. Aruán won 2011 Latin Jazz Arrangement of the Year for "El Cumbanchero."
"Ortiz manages to tackle the traditions of charanga without resorting to cliché and his own compositions add another element to the music. His 'Av. Pinto Tapiro' and 'Danzón De Liz' are breezy and bright, but 'Aruancó' [sic] proves to be the standout original. The pianist juxtaposes relentless, clattering hand drums against Weinstein's flute, and uses his own piano to create hypnotic, cycling chords and some engrossing solo work."
-- All About Jazz, 12/1/2011
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bio
- Aruán Ortiz is a critically acclaimed Cuban pianist, an award-winning composer, and a solid producer and educator, not only on the New York City scene, but internationally as well.Named “the latest Cuban wunderkind to arrive in the United States” by BET Jazz, this classically trained violist and pianist from Santiago de Cuba, considers himself “a curious person who loves music”, and portrays his music as an architectural structure of sounds, incorporating contemporary classical music, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and improvisation as primary material for his compositions. He has received a number of awards such as Latin Jazz Corner’s Arranger of the Year (2011) for his contribution on the album, “El Cumbanchero” (Jazzheads 2011) by flutist Mark Weinstein; Best Jazz Interpretation, Festival de Jazz in Vic, Spain (2000); and Semifinalist, Jas Hennessy Piano Solo Competition, Montreux, Switzerland (2001).Since arriving in New York in 2008 to play with the Wallace Roney Quintet, Aruán has made five recordings, all very well received by the critics. "Alameda" (Fresh Sound, 2010), received four stars in Jazzwise magazine (U.K.), and was reviewed as "a sophisticated outing of modern jazz." This album was named one of the top jazz CDs of the year in 2010 by numerous jazz magazines and blogs around the world.Two thousand twelve was a very intense musical year, as Mr. Ortiz released three albums as a leader: the modern jazz effort, Orbiting (Fresh Sound 2012), was featured in Jazzman and Jazznews Magazine, received four stars from Jazzwise Magazine and Jazz Journal in the UK, and was one of the top ten contemporary jazz albums of 2012 according to "Something Else!" webzine; Santiarican Blues Suite (Sunnyside 2012), received 4.5 stars from Downbeat Magazine, and was featured on major jazz blogs and magazines worldwide. Bill Milkowski from JazzTimes Magazine recently proclaimed, "These two simultaneous releases herald the arrival of a major new talent."On his latest CD, Banned in London (Whirlwind Recordings 2012), Aruán co-leads a Cuban/US collaboration, a powerful quintet, with bassist/composer Michael Janisch featuring saxophonist Greg Osby and Rudy Royston on drums. Their CD received five stars on BBC Jazz Radio, and four stars in the Jazz Journal, Jazzwise Magazine, Financial Times, and The Guardian, in the UK, where it has also been on the top of the list of the best jazz albums of 2012.As a composer, Ortiz has received commissions from the Woodwind Quintet Ensemble of Santiago de Cuba; Música de Camara Orchestra in New York City; Oyu Oro Folkloric Dance Company in New York City; YOUME & Milena Zullo Ballet in Rome; José Mateo Ballet Theater in Cambridge, MA; and University of Albany Symphony Orchestra in New York.Ortiz has also played, toured or recorded with Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, Mingus Big Band, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Don Byron, Lenny White, Greg Osby, and Wallace Roney, among others.(Updated Jan 2013)
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projects
- ARUÁN ORTIZ & MICHAEL JANISCH QUINTET
IN ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT GIGS AT THE 2012 LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL, produced by Sirius, their premiered CD "Banned in London", was a sold out performance at the London Jazz Festival and has been praised as "world class playing" by The Guardian, "highly recommended" by Financial Times, and personifies everything that is creative and stimulating about the very best of contemporary jazz. After more than a decade touring and recording with some of the world's greatest artists, such as Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Wallace Roney, Don Byron, Esperanza Spalding, Mingus Big Band, Wayne Kranz and Terry Lyne Carrington, among many others, the music of Ortiz and Janisch is a mix of original compositions with a sincere empathy that serves as a bridge between tradition and the music of today. For their Banned in London Summer Tour, they have assembled one of the most exciting casts of recent years, calling on one of the jazz world's most prominent and pioneering artists, saxophonist and featured special guest Greg Osby, first-call NYC resident drummer Eric McPherson and the post-modern and progressive trumpet and educator Ralph Alessi. Click here to watch a video about this project.ARUÁN ORTIZ QUARTET
Ginga Carioca
Green City
“Jazz fans applaud, and novices mark your calendars. Aruán Ortiz, critically acclaimed Cuban pianist is a must see."
New York Post
About Alameda: "…an elegant, majestic album that is recommended unconditionally. Great music."
Tom Hall (Jazzwise)
The Aruán Ortiz Quartet is a contemporary jazz ensemble that has collaborated with some of the most creative and forward-thinking jazz musicians on the scene today. Headed by composer and pianist Aruán Ortiz, the quartet currently includes David Gilmore on guitar, Eric McPherson on drums, and Rashaan Carter on bass.
The Quartet was founded in 2005, and in 2009 the band released the album Alameda (Fresh Sound New Talent), which combined jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. The album received 4 stars in Jazzwise magazine and was named one of the Top Ten Jazz CDs of the year, receiving excellent reviews in major jazz magazines. Their second album, Orbiting (Fresh Sound New Talent) was released in April 2012.
CAMERATA URBANA
San Pascual Bailón by Camerata Urbana Ensemble
About Santiarican Blues Suite:
"A sweeping spectacular suite"
"One of the finest works of modern music"
"This record by a very special artist will go down as one of the most significant works of music. Its power, significance and beauty will forever linger in the soul, where all musical art is enjoyed to the fullest."
Latin Jazz Network
"Aruan Ortiz’s Santiarican Blues Suite... was exciting, beautiful and entertaining. The bright colors and Latin rhythms made were enrapturing, and before I knew it the piece had come to an end before I was ready." Boston Theatre Review
This new ensemble, Camerata Urbana, has the unique experience of interpreting Cuban-Haitian traditions in a new format that integrates all of the cultural traditions from Oriente, Cuba, including classical, folkloric, and jazz music. Lead by accomplished composer and pianist Aruán Ortiz, this ensemble boasts talent from various Latin American countries with Afro-Latin heritage. Each musician expands consciousness, pushes boundaries, and creates a unique sound that evokes their Afro-Latin, classical, jazz and contemporary classical musical training. Camerata Urbana’s past performances include Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Zinc Bar in New York City. They collaborated with the 25th Anniversary season performance of the José Mateo Ballet Theatre in Boston, and their first CD Santiarican Blues Suite was released in April 2012 on Sunnyside Records.
Aruán Ortiz, piano, conductor and director
Zoe Hillengas, flute
Machiko Ozawa, violin
Luis Casals, violin
Samuel Marchan, viola
Brian Sanders, cello
Pedro Giraudo, bass
Mauricio Herrera, percussion
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Favorites
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discography
- 2012
Bob Gluck & Aruán Ortiz
Textures and Pulsations
(Ictus Recordings)
Buy a copy!
Aruán Ortiz & Michael Janisch Quintet
Banned in London
(Whirldwind Recordings)
Buy a copy!
Raynald Colom
Rise
(Jazz Village)
Steve Turre
Woody's Delight
(High Note)
Afro Horn MX
Afro Horn MX
(AACE)Aruán Ortiz Quartet
Orbiting
(Fresh Sound)Aruán Ortiz
Santiarican Blues Suite
(Sunnyside)
Wallace Roney
Home
(Highnote)
2011Mark Weinstein
El cumbancher
(Jazzahead)
Matteo Fraboni
This is my music
(Via Veneto Jazz)
2010
Aruán Ortiz Quartet Featuring Antoine Roney
Alameda
(Fresh Sound)
<
Wallace Roney
If Only for One Night
(High Note)
Jure Pukl
EARchitecture
(Session Work Recordings)
Christoph Seigrist
Welcome to the BLUE World
(Fresh Sound)
2009
Raynald Colom
Evocación
(Ad lib art)
Ligia França
Meu mundo é hoje
(Caligula Records)
Arturo Stable
Call
(Origen Records)
2007
Arturo Stable
Notes on Canvas
(Origen Records)
2006
Esperanza Spalding
Junjo
(Ayva Música)
2005
Chie Imaizumi
A Change for the Better
2004
Aruán Ortiz Trio
Vol. 1
(Ayva Música)
Buy a copy!
1996
Aruán Ortiz
Impresión Tropica
(Magic Music/Universal)
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Photos
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schedule
Feb 22, 7PM Afro Horn:
Sam Newsome, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Rashaan Carter, bass; Román Díaz, percussion; Francisco Mora-Catlett, drumsBrooklyn, NY Schomberg Cultural Center Mar 4-8 Residency at University of Albany and premiere of "Collage Variations" Albany, NY University of Albany Mar 15 NY Jazz Collective Las Vegas University of Las Vegas Mar 17 NY Jazz Collective Los Angeles Vitello's Jazz and Super Club Mar 19 NY Jazz Collective San Francisco Yoshi's Apr 3 Aruán Ortiz Quartet:
"Orbiting" TourLyon, France Les Periscope Apr 4 Aruán Ortiz Quartet:
"Orbiting" TourHeist-op-den-Berg, Belgium Hnita Jazz Club Apr 5 Aruán Ortiz Trio Paris, France Duc des Lombards Apr 6 Aruán Ortiz Trio Paris, France Duc des Lombards Apr 7 Aruán Ortiz Trio Amsterdam MC Theater Apr 12 Aruán Ortiz - Tineke Postma Duo Amsterdam, Netherlands NTR Live Apr 14 Aruán Ortiz - Tineke Postma Duo Amsterdam, Netherlands Goethe Institute Apr 24 & 25 Aruán Ortiz Istanbul, Turkey Nublu Jazz May 11 Aruán Ortiz and the Afrocuban Jazz Experience New York, NY Metropolitan Room May 16 Aruán Ortiz Music & Architecture Series:
Aruán Ortiz, piano; David Gilmore, guitar; Drew Gress, bass; Nasheet Waits, drumsNew York, NY DROM May 17 Firm Roots:
Marika Hughes, cello; Darius Jones, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Mika Sarin, drumsBrooklyn, NY IBEAM May 22 Afro Horn:
Sam Newsome, sax; Alex Harding, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Rashaan Carter, bass; Román Díaz, percussion; Francisco Mora-Catlett, drumsNew York, NY Zinc Bar May 25 Aruán Ortiz Quartet:
David Gilmore, guitar; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Rashaan Carter, bass; Eric McPherson, drumsAtlanta, GA Atlanta Jazz Festival June 19 Afro Horn:
Sam Newsome, sax; Alex Harding, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Rashaan Carter, bass; Román Díaz, percussion; Francisco Mora-Catlett, drumsNew York, NY Zinc Bar June 20 Aruán Ortiz Music & Architecture Series:
Fay Victor, voice; Sam Newsome, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Andrew Cyrille, drumsNew York, NY DROM July 5-11 Aruán Ortiz/Michael Janisch Quartet "Banned in London" Tour TBA TBA Jul 12 Aruán Ortiz/Michael Janisch Quartet "Banned in London" Tour Barcelona, Spain TBA Jul 17 Afro Horn:
Sam Newsome, sax; Alex Harding, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Rashaan Carter, bass; Román Díaz, percussion; Francisco Mora-Catlett, drumsNew York, NY Zinc Bar Aug 23-28 Aruán Ortiz Trio West Coast Tour West Coast, US TBA Aug 29 Aruán Ortiz Music & Architecture Series:
Aruán Ortiz, piano; John Hebert, bass; Eric McPherson, drumsNew York, NY DROM Sept 1 Afro Horn:
Sam Newsome, sax; Alex Harding, sax; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Rashaan Carter, bass; Román Díaz, percussion; Francisco Mora-Catlett, drumsNew York, NY Zinc Bar Oct 16-Nov 3 Aruán Ortiz Quartet European Tour:
Rez Abbasi, guitar; Aruán Ortiz, piano; Drew Gress, bass; Eric McPherson, drumsEurope TBA Mar 4-9 Aruán Ortiz Quartet Asian Tour:
Aruán Ortiz, piano; David Gilmore, guitar; Rashaan Carter, bass; Eric McPherson, drumsAsia TBA
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contact
- Management:
Emerson Bran Management
Tel. (310) 295-4259
bookings@emersonbranmanagement.com
For press inquiries:
Jason Paul Harman Byrne
Red Cat Publicity
Tel. 347-578-7601
redcatjazz@me.com
For general inquiries: aruanortiz [at] yahoo.com
