Biography
Miami native, Darwin Noguera is a New York City based pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. He is an emerging voice in the jazz and Latin idioms. With 3 albums as a leader, commissioned works, recordings as a sideman, performances and masterclasses across the United States and the world, Darwin has been stapled a rising star in the new generation of pianists. Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Darwin started formal classical training at Cuban conservatory Horta Institute of Miami. He made his debut with the Miami Symphony Orchestra at 14 years old. He transitioned to study jazz in his early 20’s and now moves swiftly through musical styles, employing equal prowess in composition and jazz improvisation.
His latest project is the “Continuum Trio", a hard hitting modern jazz group, forward-thinking and daring in nature. They have performed in Jazz festivals and jazz clubs in the New York metropolis. Darwin is also the co-founder of CALJE: Chicago:Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, an acclaimed Latin jazz group under the Chicago Sessions label. He then graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelors in Performing Arts Management and a minor in Business Administration. He continued to earn a masters at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City with a scholarship. In 2017, he made his Carnegie Hall debut, with Bobby Sanabria. He was then invited to perform for Vice President Joe Biden at a Cancer Awareness event.
Darwin is one of the most in demand pianists working in jazz. He has performed or recorded with Grammy Award winning artists and masters such as; Bobby Sanabria, Paquito D’Rivera, Joel Frahm, Miguel Zenon, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Benitez, Chembo Corniel, Richie Cole, Dave Liebman, Luques Curtis, Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Randy Brecker, John Faddis, Ignacio Berroa, Howard Levy, Steve Turre, Papo Vazquez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ralph Irizarry, Bobby Allende, Marc Quinones, Candido Camero, among others.
Master Class
To book a master class please see the contact page...
Darwin, coming from a family of educators, he uses his love for Jazz to teach students about Latin, American and world music and culture. He has led master classes in Universities and conservatories across the United States and Central America. After receiving a degree in music business, Darwin has had to opportunity to inspire a new generation of musicians, teaching them about the business aspect of music, career development and entrepreneurship.
Topics:
Jazz Outreach (Lincoln Center)
Jazz Piano Technique and Improvisation Concepts
The Business of Music
Composition and Arranging
Latin montunos
Piano Kids (Bronx Music Heritage Center)
A Journey from Classical to Jazz
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Carnegie Hall
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic as guest conductor | pianist
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC
Embassy of Nicaragua, Washington, D.C.
Nicaragua Jazz Festival
Downbeat Magazine Polls | Rising Star 2018
Chicago Jazz Festival
NJPAC
Recording with Giovanni Hidalgo, John Benitez and Ignacio Berroa | LP Studios NYC
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Summit as Guest Artist
The United Nations
Millenium Park
Paquito D' Rivera Trio
Induced member | Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band
Induced member | Chembo Corniel Quintet
Induced member | Gilberto Santa Rosa Orchestra, NYC
Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra Tour
Malpaso Ballet, Cuba
Peoria Ballet | Greg Ward Jazz Quintet
Harris Theatre
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Lincoln Center Plaza
Havana, Cuba Tour
Birdland Jazz Club
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Jazz Piano Lessons
Darwin gives lessons in person or online via Skype. Tell us what your musical goals are, and Darwin will tailor the lesson to fit your focus. Please fill out the form on the contact page, and tell us what you would like to learn. Darwin’s strengths are in jazz harmony, jazz improvisation, Latin and gospel concepts.
Click HERE to download.
“A strong recording debut.”
“Fresh and daring and marvelously versatile band, a Latin jazz masterpiece.”
“Adventurous and Agressive!”
“A sensational Jazz recording.”
“Always in full command of the rich, harmonic possibilities.”
“Noguera brings a sense of melody, phrasing, and emotion, that would only be expected from a performer many years his senior.”
“He shapes melodies with intelligent musicality and lush harmonic knowledge.”
“Helping to give all this meaning, Noguera plays with passion and command during solo stints.”
“This is a solid ensemble.”
Discography
AS A LEADER:
Blueprints | Chicago Sessions Records
The Gardener | Chicago Sessions Records
Matter of Time | Independent Release
AS A SIDEMAN:
West Side Story Reimagined | Jazzheads
Land of the Descendants | Chaworo Records
Jeremy Bosch | Rebel Eleven
I Need You | Opal Staples Records
Handmade | Salsaneo Records
Together | Truth Revolution Records
Young Street | RGY Entertainment
George Lamond 25th Anniversary | Independent Label
Just Practice | Independent Release
Opening Statement | Origin Records
Juego Peligroso | Candlelight Music Group
Out of the Box | Wave Factory
Infraverde | C L P Records
Cuatro Por Arriba | Novo Records
Yuletide Groove | Tyme Records
This is the Life | Independent Release
London Cool | Independent Release
Giovanni Hidalgo & Friends | LP Studios NYC
Volcano Radar | Delmark Records
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