Edward Simon
Caribbean musical currents have played an essential role in the creation of jazz, and today again Latin American artists are transforming the US scene like never before with an infusion of enticing new sounds. Pianist and composer Edward Simon hails from Venezuela and has been praised for his impeccable technique, exquisite touch, and great sense of musical economy. He made his first recording as a leader in 1994, giving birth to the Edward Simon Trio. Since then, he has established several ensembles, such as Afinidad and the folk-influenced Ensemble Venezuela, and has recorded 15 critically acclaimed albums as leader, including two New York Times Top Ten Jazz Records of the Year. A member of the SFJazz Collective since 2010, he has appeared as guest artist on more than 50 recordings, including several Grammy Award nominated albums. Simon is a three-time Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grantee and a 2010 Guggenheim Fellow. He is currently instructor at the California Jazz Conservatory, resident artist at the Brubeck Institute and Visiting Jazz Artist at Western Michigan University.