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Osmany Paredes
"Steeped in the European classical tradition, enamored of jazz, and fully conversant with Cuban popular music dating back to the 1920s, Paredes is a thrilling player who combines percussive attack with a vivid harmonic imagination."
-Boston Globe
"Paredes is an aggressive stylist with a bright-sounding, percussive approach and penchant for fiery improvisations, yet time and again
he revealed a sweet side..."
-Boston Herald
Since the stunning debut of his quartet at Jazz Standard's "New Dimensions in Latin Jazz" series in 2007, pianist/composer/bandleader
Osmany Paredes has emerged as one of the outstanding participants in the new wave of progressive AfroCuban jazz being created by
a new generation of Cuban musicians in New York. Aside from Jazz Standard, his quartet has appeared in New York City numerous times
at S.O.B.'s, Cachaca and Zinc Bar. His touring schedule has taken him to renowned festivals all over the United States and Latin America.
Osmany's lyrical compositions and virtuoso technique are steeped in every element that defines Cuban music: beginning with his training
in AfroCuban rhythms in childhood with his father, the acclaimed percussionist Guillermo Paredes; his musical education continued with
studies of classical piano at Havana's National School of Music. After graduation he became the pianist for the quintessentially Cuban charanga
group of Enrique Jorrin – the group for which Ruben Gonzales, the pianist of Buena Vista Social Club, played for years.
A sojourn in Mexico City further opened Osmany's horizons; while there he worked and/or recorded with Latin music stars: El Cigala"
and the innovative jazzista Jerry Gonzales, the legendary bassist Cachao, percussionist Carlos "Patato" Valdes. His critically-acclaimed
debut album, "Menduvia", (Universal 2005) was also recorded there.
Osmany's newest project is a solo piano album, "Ciclos", recorded at the New Orleans studio of the Grammy-wining producer John Fischbach.
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