Pianist and composer, M. Javier Santiago (b.1989), is a native of Minneapolis, MN. He is currently attending the prestigious Brubeck Institute program in California. Born of musical parents, Javier showed an eager interest in music at an early age. He was classically trained by attending various music schools and studying under local legends in the Twin Cities Metro area. In high school, he began his music career gigging with various local ensembles and singers. He was selected to take the piano chair in Minnesota Youth Jazz Band 2005-07 and the Dakota Combo '07. He won the Schubert Club Jazz Piano Competition Scholarship two years in a row. In 2007, Javier was selected by Dave Brubeck and a panel of judges, in an international search to be a part of the Brubeck Institute Fellowship program (brubeckinstitute.org). Over the past couple years, Javier has had the opportunity to perform and study with several prominent musicians on the scene today including Dave Brubeck, Bob Mintzer, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman and Eric Harland to name a few. He has played at venues across the nation such as; Library of Congress (D.C.); Yoshi's (Oakland); IAJE 2008 (Toronto); Kuumbwa Center for Jazz (Santa Cruz); Blues Alley (D.C.); Paley Center for Media (formerly Museum of Radio and Television)(NYC); Detroit Jazz Festival 2008 (Detroit).