Based in New York City, Grammy nominated pianist andcomposer Manuel Valera was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. Sincearriving in NYC, he has become well known in the NYC modern jazzscene, garnering national reviews and lending his talents as a pianist andcomposer to such notable artist as Arturo Sandoval, Paquito DRivera,Brian Lynch, Dafnis Prieto, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jeff TainWatts, Chris Potter, Dave Binney, Adam Rogers, Mark Turner, JohnBenitez, Samuel Torres, Joel Frahm, Yosvany Terry and Pedro Martinezamong many others.This dynamic and prolific artist has recorded nine cds as a bandleader.His critically acclaimed debut cd in 2004 Forma Nueva (MAVO) featuresJohn Patitucci, Horacio El Negro Hernandez Bill Stewart and SeamusBlake. Historia (Fresh Sounds New Talent 2005), a jazz quartet withAntonio Sanchez, Seamus Blake and Ben Street. His third releaseMelancolia (MAVO 2006)employs a string quartet incorporatingworld rhythms and classical concepts in the jazz idiom. Vientos (Anzic,2007),representing a new working quartet, features bassist JamesGenus, drummer Ernesto Simpson, saxophonist Joel Frahm and awoodwind quartet. His fifth and trio recording Currents (MaxJazz 2009)features Ernesto Simpson and James Genus. His sixth recording NewCuban Express (MAVO) released in 2012 received a Grammy nomination,followed by Expectativas (MAVO 2013). His solo piano recording, SelfPortrait (MAVO), released in June 2014 is already receiving nationalreviews. The most recent New Cuban Express recording In Motion wasreleased on CrissCross in September 2014.In addition, he has been awarded several grants for composition mostnotably Chamber Music Americas New Jazz Works and the ASCAP YoungJazz Composer Award. Manuel has travelled the world performing in over30 countries at some of the biggest international venues and festivals.