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Manuel Valera

Manuel Valera is a Havana-born, New York-based pianist, keyboardist, composer, bandleader, and educator leading trio, solo, and New Cuban Express projects.

Piano and keyboardsComposerBandleaderEducator5 current shows

Photo source · Official artist media

Career Overview

About Manuel Valera

Valera's official biography identifies the Havana-born, New York-based pianist and composer and documents eighteen leader albums across solo piano, trio, New Cuban Express, and big-band formats. It also records his work as an NYU professor and member of Vital Information.[1]

The leader chronology begins with Forma Nueva in 2004 and follows New Cuban Express, chamber and orchestral commissions, and recent trio work. Artist-run Bandcamp provides complete audio and personnel for the 2012 New Cuban Express album and the 2024 recordings Nevermind Tomorrow and Rise Again Vol. 1.[1][2][3][4]

Ensembles and Career Threads

Bands & Projects

Leader, pianist, keyboardist, and composer

New Cuban Express

Valera's long-running ensemble is documented from its self-titled album through the Rise Again volumes and a big-band edition.[1][2][4]

Leader, pianist, and composer

Manuel Valera Trio

The trio catalog includes live albums, The Seasons, The Planets, and Nevermind Tomorrow with changing rhythm sections.[1][3]

Composer, commissioned artist, and professor

Composition and education

Valera's biography documents repeated New Jazz Works commissions, other large-form projects, and piano teaching at New York University.[1]

Selected, Not Exhaustive

Recordings to Know

2012

New Cuban Express

Ensemble leader, pianist, keyboardist, and composer

The self-titled ensemble album credits Valera with a sextet combining piano, horns, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion.[1][2]

Release details

2024

Nevermind Tomorrow

Trio leader, pianist, keyboardist, and composer

The eleven-track trio recording features Valera with bassist Janek Gwizdala and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr.[1][3]

Release details

2024

Rise Again Vol. 1

New Cuban Express leader, pianist, keyboardist, and composer

Rise Again Vol. 1 documents the six-piece New Cuban Express in music developed during a recurring Terraza 7 engagement.[1][4]

Release details

Artist-Authorized Destinations

Start Listening

Official Bandcamp catalog

Hear thirteen Valera releases spanning New Cuban Express, trio, live, and earlier leader recordings.

Official YouTube channel

Watch Valera's trio, New Cuban Express, large-ensemble, and collaborative performances.

Live Calendar

Upcoming Jazz DateBook Shows

Wed, Aug 26, 11:45 PM

Jam Session Hosted By Carlos Abadie

Smalls Jazz Club · New York

Show details

Fri, Aug 28, 9:00 PM

Duduka Da Fonseca & Quadrilogy

Smalls Jazz Club · New York

Show details

Fri, Aug 28, 10:30 PM

Duduka Da Fonseca & Quadrilogy

Smalls Jazz Club · New York

Show details

Sat, Aug 29, 9:00 PM

Duduka Da Fonseca & Quadrilogy

Smalls Jazz Club · New York

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Sat, Aug 29, 10:30 PM

Duduka Da Fonseca & Quadrilogy

Smalls Jazz Club · New York

Show details

Sources

Career copy is original synthesis from the artist, label, and project sources below. Current dates come from Jazz DateBook event inventory.

  1. [1] Official biography, projects, and leader chronology

    Manuel Valera

  2. [2] New Cuban Express audio and sextet credits

    Manuel Valera

  3. [3] Nevermind Tomorrow audio and trio credits

    Manuel Valera

  4. [4] Rise Again Vol. 1 audio and ensemble credits

    Manuel Valera