Aldo López-Gavilán

Even in a country with a glorious tradition of extravagantly talented pianists, Havana-reared Aldo López-Gavilán is a conspicuously commanding musician. Steeped in jazz, Afro-Cuban, and European classical traditions, he hails from an illustrious musical family: his father, Guido López-Gavilán, is an esteemed conductor and composer, and his late mother, Teresita Junco, was an acclaimed concert pianist. His older brother, violinist Ilmar Gavilán of the Harlem Quartet, joined him in the long-awaited collaboration chronicled in the 2020 documentary Los Hermanos/The Brothers.

After making his professional debut at age 12 with the Matanzas Symphony Orchestra, he went on to perform Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Cuba. Even as he immersed himself in the classical canon, he was honing his skills as an improviser. Invited to perform at the Havana Jazz Festival with Chucho Valdés, he made such an impression that the legendary pianist declared him “simply a genius, a star.” He’s been living up to that praise ever since.

Aldo López-Gavilán Website

Personnel:

• Aldo López-Gavilán, piano
• Additional personnel TBA