Cuban pianist Zahili Zamorá and an Argentinean guitarist Claudio Ragazzi blend vibrant rhythms of Afro-Cuban traditions with the soulful melodies of Argentinean tango and folk music. The performance showcases their original compositions, intricate improvisations, fiery solos, and heartfelt harmonies, transporting the audience on a musical journey through Latin America.
Zahili Gonzalez Zamora is a pianist, composer, bandleader, arranger, and educator. Born in Manzanillo, Cuba, she started playing piano at the age of six, and graduated from the National School of Music with a performance degree. She feels most defined by her Cuban heritage and her status as an immigrant. Her passion for music has taken her to Canada, to SouthEast Asia and, now, to the United States —a land of immigrants. She is always moving forward, guided and driven by her music and the need to grow as an artist and a person, to share her music and her love of life with others. She aspires to inspire; to be a messenger for a journey that is not only her own, but one that deeply resonates with others. She’s an artist who’s out of her comfort zone —her home— for the sake of her work. Her rich musical background, career experience and extraordinary improvisation skills render her a leader in the modern Latin jazz idiom and an influential, emulated musician.
Claudio Ragazzi. Grammy Winner,Emmy Winner Film Composer and guitarist Claudio Ragazzi has been writing award winning original music for film and television, scoring dozens of projects and performing with some of today's most respected musicians at renowned concert halls in the world. Live performances include those at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, The Blue Note Jazz Club (NY and Tokyo), The Lincoln Center, he regularly plays and tours in theatres and festivals around the world. Claudio has performed with some of today's most influential and respected musicians, including Gary Burton, Yo-Yo Ma, Regina Carter, Randy Brecker, Danilo Perez, Pablo Ziegler, saxophone legends Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett and Paquito D'Rivera to name a few.