Oliver Miguel

“We live by admiration, hope and love” (William Wordsworth) – words that Canadian saxophonist / composer / producer Oliver Miguel lives by. Inspired by a life of change, adversity and love, Oliver's debut album Esperanza (“hope” in Spanish) represents the one thing in his life that has never faded, his one constant: hope. Soulful latin-jazz with a flamenco twist, Esperanza is an expressive work that grabs you. Oliver has developed, with melodic, rhythmic, romantic and world elements, a distinct writing style – a style that is his signature sound. Esperanza is the ideal instrumental album that communicates beyond words; it evokes the universal emotions that we all can identify with. As dynamic on stage as he is in the studio, Oliver's much sought after smooth, warm and crisp sound on the saxophone is what draws you into his music. He plays as one would sing, with the nuances, tone and melodic lines of a soulful singer, a quality that places Oliver Miguel among Canada's next generation of young musical innovators.
Born in Viña Del Mar, Chile, Oliver and his siblings grew up listening to the music from the Andes, Brazil, Spain, the Caribbean, and classical music. His parents were music lovers and filled their home with these rich cultural sounds. As a young child he was drawn to the acoustic guitar of flamenco music and he loved the colours of Andean music. When Oliver was five years old his father migrated to Canada in hopes of relocating the family and providing a better life for them. In his father's five year absence his mother filled their home with more romantic music – ballads with very strong melodies. During this time his father would send North American music back to Chile, introducing Oliver to musicians like Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder. In 1991 Oliver and the rest of his family migrated to Canada, reuniting with his father. In middle school he was presented with the opportunity to learn music, and following the advice of his father, he took up the tenor saxophone. From the first time he played his sax he knew he wanted to pursue a professional career as a musician. He quickly excelled within his first year of playing - incessantly practicing, improvising and transcribing smooth jazz saxophonists. After receiving eight awards in music and three scholarships to further his studies, Oliver continued to study music and earned a diploma in jazz performance from Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary, Alberta. He then moved to Toronto and earned another diploma in jazz performance from Canada's renowned Humber College Jazz Program.
Oliver has traveled throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean to perform as a leader, a sideman, and as an in-demand session player for numerous recordings, while making special appearances on Global Television, CBC, TLN and various radio programs. He has worked with many prominent musicians and bands in the jazz and world music genres including Michael Brecker, Pat Labarbera, Hilario Durán and Jane Bunnett. He has also played some of Canada's top festivals including opening for Chris Potter at the 2004 Calgary Jazz Festival and performing with Plan C at the 2005 Montreal Jazz Festival. Oliver had learned to play guitar and piano in high school and college, respectively, and his talents as a multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer are featured on vocalist Janelle Monique's debut album You Go To My Head.
Influenced by the likes of Tomatito, Paco de Lucía, Michel Camilo, David Sanborn and Michael Brecker, and armed with an album's worth of original compositions, Oliver produced Esperanza, a gorgeous musical tapestry – a heartwarming and poignant soundtrack to life. Inspired by the universal sadness following the events of 9/11, the album's melodic and ambient opening suite is aptly named “When Angels Cry”. The very popular “Saudades” bursts through the seams with its middle eastern flavoured melody as he attempts to capture the feeling of being happy and sad simultaneously, a feeling he experienced when he first settled in Canada. Oliver plays confidently with pop-influenced melodies in “Luna Morena”, a tune sparked by his admiration for the beauty and mystery surrounding the moon. The seductive cha-cha “Chocolate Roses” is Oliver's romantic serenade; he plays with passion and vulnerability. He fuses the Spanish rhythm bulería, the blues form, and a tango bass line to create the dark and sexy “Zara”. “Rozar Tu Piel” (to graze your skin) is a joyous and radiant theme that Oliver has crafted by merging the Brazilian rhythms of partido alto and samba with a singable pop melody. “Alma Fría”, a heart-rending ballad, is Oliver's first composition ever written; originally a love song, heartbreak changed the tone of this tune as he holds the climactic high note in a tragic and emotional cry of despair.
A dynamic performer and an innovative composer, Oliver Miguel is simply one to watch – and his follow-up album is one to anticipate.