‘Distancia’ by Manuel Valera New Cuban Express Big Band available now!
Today we’re releasing Distancia, the second album from pianist Manuel Valera!
The record features his New Cuban Express Big Band, a spirited ensemble that fuses the music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil to forge innovative sounds and textures.
The album draws upon searing personal experiences – going through personal loss, and having to pick up the pieces to move forward. Valera uses the broad palette of the big band to express a wide range of moods and emotions. From the haunting “From Afar,” to the buoyant “Expectativas”, and the fiery “Gemini,” the writing is dynamic and varied and the ensemble brings out the nuances with both grace and gusto.
The ensembles includes some of New York’s best creative musicians, including vocalists Camila Meza and Bogna Kicińska as well as standout soloists Charles Pillow, Remy Le Boeuf, and Mike Fahie. Produced by Kabir Sehgal and Doug Davis, Manuel Valera presents a very personal album of engaging contemporary big band jazz.
The album is available on CD and digital on Bandcamp and other outlets here. Subscribers now have the full album in their Bandcamp feed. Join us to become a subscriber today.
