Martin Bejerano Explained

Martin Bejerano
Birth Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Instrument:Piano
Genre:Jazz
Occupation:Musician, composer, arranger, educator
Associated Acts:Roy Haynes
Website:martinbejerano.com

Martin Bejerano is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator.

Life and career

Bejerano was born in Miami, Florida, and is of Afro-Cuban heritage.[1] He graduated from the New World School of the Arts at Florida State University and obtained a master's degree in jazz piano performance from the University of Miami. He joined drummer Roy Haynes' band around 2000, and guitarist Russell Malone's quartet in 2002.

Bejerano's first album as leader, Evolution/Revolution, was released in 2007. The Penguin Guide to Jazz commented that there was a "classical sumptuousness in his work, though in jazz terms he is most obviously influenced by Chick Corea".[2] In 2010, Bejerano was awarded a Chamber Music America commission for a new jazz work.[3]

Bejerano has cited as influences a number of rock and pop bands and classical music composers and performers, as well as jazz musicians including pianists Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Keith Jarrett. Bejerano is an assistant professor of jazz piano at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.[4]

Discography

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader/co-leader

Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes
2006Evolution/RevolutionReservoirTrio, with Edward Perez (bass), Ludwig Afonso (drums)
2013*Potential EnergySome tracks trio, with Edward Perez (bass), Ludwig Afonso (drums); some tracks quartet, with Mark Small (sax) added
2016*Trio MiamiTrio, with John Allen (bass), Michael Piolet (drums)

As sideman

Year recordedLeaderTitleLabel
2004The Swingin' BassoonZah Zah
2005Live at Jazz Standard Volume 2Maxjazz
2002Fountain of YouthDreyfus Jazz
2007*A Life in TimeDreyfus Jazz
2011Roy-altyDreyfus Jazz
2015*Pictures from a Train WindowFirst Orbit Sounds

Notes and References

  1. Fiorentino, Gabriele (April 2014) "The Dranoff International 2 Piano Foundation". Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation.
  2. Cook, Richard and Morton, Brian (2008) The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin. p. 107.
  3. Pulliam, Becca (April 19, 2012) "Martin Bejerano Trio on JazzSet". npr.org
  4. http://www.miami.edu/frost/index.php/frost/frost_profiles/jazz-bejerano_martin_bio/ "Frost School of Music Profiles"