JAVIER ZALBA

Javier Zalba Suarez (1955- ): Graduated from the Cuban National School of Arts (ENA) as a clarinetist in 1976 and in 1984 as a flautist from the Professional Studies School “Ignacio Cervantes”, Javier enjoys of an active performing career that reaches different styles of music, going from Classical, Jazz, and Latin Jazz to Cuban popular music. He began his professional career as a clarinet teacher at the ENA, 1978. In the same year, takes part of the “Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna” and in 1980 shares his musical activities with the group of the well-recognized pianist Felipe Dulzaides. In 1984, he becomes a member of the ensemble of the pianist and composer Jose Maria Vitier and later on is invited to take part in the “Irakere”, directed by “Chucho” Valdes. Enjoying of a successful career as a flute, clarinet and saxophone player, he joints Bobby Carcasses’s ensemble “Afrojazz” in 1991 as well as the orchestra of the Tropicana Cabaret and the group “Oru” directed by the guitarist Sergio Vitier. In 1997, he is a member of the group “Cubanismo” directed by trumpet player Jesus Alemany and creates with pianist Roberto Fonseca his own Latin jazz ensemble called “Temperamento”. Already in 2000, he joints the Buena Vista Social Club orchestra with the singer Ibrahim Ferrer, performing in the most prestigious venues around the world. He takes much inspiration from solo and chamber music as well. He has been invited several times as a member and soloist by the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra and many others chamber ensembles. He has participated in diverse international tours including the most important Jazz Festivals around the world. He also enjoys teaching and giving master classes in Jazz and Cuban popular music. He is professor of saxophone at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatoire. As a result, he has been invited to carry out several Cuban Music workshops in Barranquilla, Colombia (2000); Copenhagen Rhythmic Conservatoire, Denmark (2003); Liceo de Barcelona (El Aula), Spain 2004; Guildhall School of Music and Drama, England (2004 & 2006) and Montreaux as part of the Jazz Festival, Switzerland (2005). His books, “Technique for the Saxophone” is being published by “Abdala”, in Havana Cuba and “Sax Soneando” The saxophone in the Cuban popular music and “Flute Soneando” The flute in the Cuban popular music (is coming soon) as well by “Advance Music” from Germany.

Es graduado de la Escuela Nacional de Arte como clarinetista en 1976 y en 1984 de la Escuela Superación profesional “Ignacio Cervantes” como flautista. Comienza su carrera profesional siendo profesor de clarinete de la ENA (Escuela Nacional de Arte). En 1978 forma parte de la Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna y en 1980 comparte su actividad musical con el grupo del pianista Felipe Dulzaides. En 1984 es fundador del grupo del pianista José Ma Vitier y en 1988 se incorpora al grupo Irakere que dirige “Chucho” Valdés. En 1991 en el grupo de Bobby Carcassés “Afrojazz” y en 1993 en la Orquesta del Cabaret Tropicana así como del grupo “Oru” del guitarrista Sergio Vitier. En 1997 se integra al grupo del trompetista Jesús Alemañy “Cubanismo” y crea junto al pianista Roberto Fonseca el grupo “Temperamento”. Fue profesor de saxofón del conservatorio “Amadeo Roldán” así como del Instituto Superior de Arte en Ciudad Habana, Cuba. En el 2000 pasa a ser integrante de la Orquesta del cantante Ibrahim Ferrer y Rubén González del proyecto “Buena Vista Social Club”. Dentro de toda esta época ha combinado su labor musical tocando música de cámara, así como en diferentes conciertos con la Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (Habana, Cuba). Ha realizado diferentes giras internacionales resaltando los festivales internacionales de Jazz más prestigiosos del mundo así como importantes clubes de jazz. Ha realizado workshops de música popular en Barranquilla Colombia (2000), Conservatorio Rítmico de Copenhague, Dinamarca (2003), Liceo de Barcelona (El Aula) 2004, Guildhall scholl of Music and Drama en Londres (2004 y 2006), Montreaux Suiza, en el marco del festival de jazz (2005). Grabó su 1er CD “Homenaje” por el sello discográfico “Serendib Classics” (1995, España) y recientemente por la firma Cubana “Colibrí” “Bariton chá”(2006) además, ha grabado en diversos discos de artistas nacionales como extranjeros así como música incidental para teatro y cine. Ha escrito dos libros para saxofón “Estudios de técnica” editado por la editora Cubana “Abdala” y “Sax Soneando”, el saxofón en la música popular cubana. Un tercero, “Flute Soneando”, La flauta en la música popular cubana (que está en edición) por la editora Alemana “Advance Music”. Gana el 1er premio en el evento disquero