HÉCTOR INFANZÓN
PIANIST / COMPOSER
..." I was raised on Latin music and improvisation is the channel for me to express all my emotions, ideas and the personal way I conceive the world; through improvisation I can explore different musical forms, that´s why I try to experiment with different musical elements every time I play and compose".
A major feature of Héctor Infanzón's compositions is the inclusion of all the styles that have influenced him, thereby making his work varied and versatile. It also prevents him from being identified with one particular musical genre.
Infanzón draws elements from Mexican folklore, classical and Latin American musical idioms, and from the Afro Caribbean tradition. He then shapes it all within his own sound. Finally, he adds improvisation, the one element that rounds everything up and transforms it into jazz.
His music emerges from the core of traditional forms, yet it expands to move beyond the limits of styles. This hybridization reflects life lived in a place like Mexico City.
Such is the work of Héctor Infanzón: a permanent search for new tendencies, a music that leaves the indelible mark of urban expression. All in all, this is the music of a composer born in the very heart of the city he loves.
The Héctor Infanzón Group plays primarily the highest quality original compositions. This feature has rightly earned its leader top praise from international critics.
During his studies at the Escuela Superior de Música, Héctor played music recitals at many of the most prestigious music halls in Mexico City. He also performed as soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Bellas Artes. In 1985 he studied at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he became profoundly committed to the jazz idiom. In 1989 he formed "Antropóleo", a trio that became one of the most important groups in the Mexican jazz scene.
Infanzón has recorded three CD's under his own name: "Impulsos", "Nos toca", and "De manera personal" and the new album "Citadino" and the DVD "Sombrereando" are going to be release soon.
He has also played numerous national and international jazz festivals, such as the Newark Jazz Festival; Festival de Jazz in Havana, Cuba; Heritage Festival in New Orleans; Expo Lisboa 98 in Lisboa, AmericArtes, Washington, D.C., and most recently the Festival Internacional de Jazz de MedellÃn, Colombia. And of course, he has performed at nearly all the national and international jazz festivals in Mexico.
Héctor has been commissioned to arrange traditional Mexican music for the Mexico City, Acapulco and the Querétaro Philharmonic Orchestras. In both cases, it was the conductors themselves who requested the composer's work.
Along with his own work as a pianist, composer and arranger, Héctor has found the time to participate in other artists projects. Some of the most renowned performers in Mexico have invited him to be their musical director or session player. In some cases, he has also toured with groups and singers, such as Alejandro Fernández, Emmanuel, Armando Manzanero, Francisco Céspedes, Mijares, Eugenia León, Tania Libertad, Betsy Pecanins, Guadalupe Pineda, and "Maldita Vecindad".
Héctor also took part in the two Grammy Award Winning albums with the Mexican pop duo "Sin Bandera".
Due mostly to his versatility, Héctor Infanzón was asked to join international pop artist Ricky Martin's group for his 1999-2001 World Tour. This experience took the pianist to countless cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Throughout his career, Héctor has had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Carlos Santana, Jose Feliciano, Papo Lucca, Johnny Pacheco, Jeff Berllin, and Dave Valentin, among others.
As a composer, he has written music for string quintet and piano, two works for jazz trio and orchestra, as well as a piece for harpsichord and piano. He composed the opening theme of the Las Vegas show "Storm", in addition to music for films, plays, and videos. Héctor's first symphonic work, "Paseo y fuga hacia el mar", commissioned to celebrate the anniversary of the Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra, premiered just recently.
In October 2005 and 2006 Héctor Infanzón was nominated for the "Las Lunas del Auditorio" awards in Mexico city.
The Puebla Symphony Orchestra performed four of his works including the premiere of his Huapango for piano and orchestra "Rincón Brujo" with Héctor as soloist.
