USA - Luxembourg
First attended Berklee College of Music (Boston) in 1975.
In 1976 wrote first compositions and arrangements and began playing first Jazz concerts, later performing in warm-up (support) Bands for Phil Woods, Gary Burton, and Steve Swallow.
Returned to Berklee in 1983 and graduated in 1985 with a B. A. (Superior Prix) in Film Music Composition. Moved to San Francisco, California and from 1986-1990 worked as a freelance pianist in various Jazz and Salsa groups, taught composition, composed music for films and corporate videos, and was music editor on the Academy Award (Oscar) nominated short film ‘Liru’ (1987, Best Student Film category). In 1988 in Oakland California, formed a film production company where he worked as producer and composer.
Moved to Portugal in 1991, accepted post of Professor of Composition in Porto, composed two Ballets (1992 Porto; 1993 Lisbon) and worked as pianist, composer and arranger on several Portuguese music projects including ‚Novanguarde’, the contemporary chamber music ensemble, and the ‚Raul Marques E Os Amigos Da Salsa’ ensemble. In 1992, with saxophonist Mario Santos, formed the ‚George Letellier Quartet’ which toured Portugal extensively.
Moving to Luxembourg in 1995, he began by teaching privately and accepting commissions (BCEE; Paul Wurth Corporation; Tango Television; Big Band Spectrum; Opus 78 Big Band) as a freelance pianist/composer/arranger.
In 1997, with Harri Jokiharra, formed the original ‚Consabora Salsa Orchestra’. (Later re-named ‚Salsabor’) where he was the principle arranger and pianist.
In 2001 was commissioned by the Luxembourgish singer/actress Sascha Ley to arrange and perform ’Lost In The Stars’ (music by Kurt Weill). A collaboration that has continually evolved into other projects until today.
Co-composed the Musical ‘Alice Under Ground’ (MASKéNADA, Wiltz Festival 2002).
From 1997-2003 was the Director of Jazz Studies at the Esch Conservatoire. Wrote three booklets on the theory of Jazz (1997-1999). Since 2001 has taught Jazz at L’Ecole de Musique in Echternach.
As a pianist he has performed in hundreds of Jazz concerts and Theater productions in New York, New England, California, Portugal, Holland, Switzerland, India (New Delhi, Mumbai and Goa), Puerto Rico, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Greece, Germany and France and has recorded with Clã, the Portuguese Acid Jazz group on the EMI music label. As a composer, in addition to film music and Ballets, he has composed a Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, and has written contemporary and traditional classical chamber music, jazz tunes, Big Band arrangements, songs, music for children, and countless other vocal and instrumental compositions and arrangements for many diversified musical ensembles.
Performances in the USA and/or Europe with: Mario Santos, Lisa Berg, Bill Ortiz, Gregg Mazel, Chuck Isreals, Benoit Martiny, Aldo Romano, Diego Imbert, Diane Mower, Doni Tamblem, Raul Marques, Shlomit Butbul, Marc Demuth, Vania Lecuit, Monique Hinkel, Paul Wiltgen, Ed Soph, Gary Boigon, Donald Regnier, Serge Bausch, Maxime Bender, Jan Ferguson, Achim Tang, Jimmy Hunter, Isabel Ventura, Claude Pauly, Boris Dinev, Helder Gonzalves, Tony Perrone, David Laborier, Karin Melchert, Derrick James, Al Ginter, Christophe Panzani, Carmen Wurth, Shawn McGloin, Mickey Zehren, Lena Sealy, Pedro Barrieros, Astrid Godart, Greg Lamy, Boris Schmidt, Romain Boden, Nadine Eder, Frank Agulhon, Stefano Agostini, Paul Fox, Anouk Hartmann, Joel Heyard, Patrick Agostini, Sacha Hack, Eric Teuwens, Jerome Goldschmidt, Roy Pagliarini, Sofia Rebeiro, Serge Tonnar, Michel Ciccone, Jeannot Sanavia, Fiona Koster, Helmut 'Daisy' Becker, Jackie Brown, Al Lenners, Ernie Hammes, Jeff Herr, Eugene Bozzetti and Sascha Ley amongst many many others.
He plays straight ahead, modern and free Jazz. Also into Modern Classical, Funk/Soul, Blues, Salsa and Vocal music.
He teaches piano, jazz piano, theory, guitar and drums, and has tons of students.....
When not giggin', composing/arranging or teaching he can be found at MGL Studio Productions or shooting comedy films and doing Post-Pro duties on Premiere Pro, AE and/or Final Cut Pro.
Meanwhile, a very special hello to Xana, Jackie and Sammie!!! (Beijinhos do Papi)
Thanx to Sascha Ley
Monique, you are the absolute very VERY BEST!!!!!! (I love Paris in the morning too!!)
