Based in New York City, Grammy nominated pianist and

composer Manuel Valera was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Since

arriving in NYC, he has become well known in the NYC modern jazz

scene, garnering national reviews and lending his talents as a pianist and

composer to such notable artist as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito DRivera,

Brian Lynch, Dafnis Prieto, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jeff Tain

Watts, Chris Potter, Dave Binney, Adam Rogers, Mark Turner, John

Benitez, Samuel Torres, Joel Frahm, Yosvany Terry and Pedro Martinez

among many others.

This dynamic and prolific artist has recorded nine cds as a bandleader.

His critically acclaimed debut cd in 2004 Forma Nueva (MAVO) features

John Patitucci, Horacio El Negro Hernandez Bill Stewart and Seamus

Blake. Historia (Fresh Sounds New Talent 2005), a jazz quartet with

Antonio Sanchez, Seamus Blake and Ben Street. His third release

Melancolia (MAVO 2006)employs a string quartet incorporating

world rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom. Vientos (Anzic,

2007),representing a new working quartet, features bassist James

Genus, drummer Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Joel Frahm and a

woodwind quartet. His fifth and trio recording Currents (MaxJazz 2009)

features Ernesto Simpson and James Genus. His sixth recording New

Cuban Express (MAVO) released in 2012 received a Grammy nomination,

followed by Expectativas (MAVO 2013). His solo piano recording, Self

Portrait (MAVO), released in June 2014 is already receiving national

reviews. The most recent New Cuban Express recording In Motion was

released on CrissCross in September 2014.

In addition, he has been awarded several grants for composition most

notably Chamber Music Americas New Jazz Works and the ASCAP Young

Jazz Composer Award. Manuel has travelled the world performing in over

30 countries at some of the biggest international venues and festivals.