Otmaro Ruiz | Jimmy Branly | Jimmy Haslip

Otmaro Ruiz, Jimmy Branly and Jimmy Haslip

"Elemental" Nominated for 2 Latin Grammy Awards (2019) - Read Here

2019: @PatMethenyNews names "Elemental" one of the best albums of the year - Read Tweet Here

BIOGRAPHY

OTMARO RUIZ
Considered one of the most important jazz pianists in the current scene, Venezuelan Otmaro Ruiz is known for his versatility and virtuosity. After working intensively in Venezuela with artists such as Soledad Bravo and Ilan Chester, Otmaro moves to Los Angeles in 1989 to join the group of great names of the jazz world such as Alex Acuña, Justo Almario y Abraham Laboriel, with whom still collaborates in diverse projects.

With an intense musical career, filled with concerts, workshops and recordings worldwide, Otmaro worked for 5 years with Dianne Reeves as a pianist and musical director. During this period, Otmaro participated in the recording project of her CD “In The Moment – Live in Concert”, which won the Grammy Award 2001. In that same year, Alex Acuna’s album “Acuarelas de Tambores", also with Otmaro’s collaboration, was nominated to a Grammy. His collaboration with Weston Woods Studios for the Scholastic Series of animated children videos have won important recognitions like the “2004 Audie Award” in the Children Production Category and Bronze Remi at the 2004 Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival (for the Soundtrack of “Chato and The Party Animals”); Otmaro also received a Life Time Special Award “International Exposure” from the Venezuelan National Artist’s Institute (for outstanding career in a foreign country). In 2012, Otmaro was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Musical Arts from Shepherd University. His work as an arranger was recognized by the American Academy of Recording Arts with a 2016 Grammy Nomination...
Read Otmaro's full biography - click here.

JIMMY BRANLY
Jimmy Branly was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in a rich musical environment of Cuban flavors. He began his studies at the Conservatory of Music in Havana Adolfo Guzman and ENA (National School of Art). Jimmy’s professional career began at the young age of 15. Jimmy started playing with a band named “Cuarto Espacio” that combined the styles of fusion, jazz, rock, and Cuban music. with member of the band Afro-Acuba. then Jimmy moved to the big stages Natalie Cole, of Cuban-Salsa-Timba bands including, Issac Delgado and NG La Banda. Jimmy continued to evolve in his approach to playing jazz drums when he worked with Gonzalo Rubalcaba until he moved to the US.

Jimmy moved to the United States in 1998, performing and recording with many groups and artists including:
Keiko Matsui, Colin Hay, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Rebeca Mauleon, Francisco Aguabella, Brandon Fields, Alan Pascua, Lyle Mays, Abraham Laboriel, Michael Nezmith, Sheila E, Alex Acuna, Celia Cruz, Strunz & Farah, Luis Conte, Justo Almario, Andy Narell, Carol Welsman, Russel Ferrante, Oscar Hernandez, Dave Valentin, Don grusin, Omar Sosa, Ken Pleplowski, Tom Scott, John Patitucci, Bob Mintzer, Doc Severinsen, Bryan Linch, Carlitos Del Puerto, The LA Latin Jazz All Stars, Poncho Sanchez, Giovany Idalgo, Bill Cunliffe, Sandro Albert, Ramon Stagnaro, Playing For Change, Arturo Sandoval, Michael O'neil, Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Andy Garcia, Prince Roy, Raul Malo, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan, Bob Sheppard, David Garfield, Randy Waldman, etc. Jimmy Branly Performed at The White House in 2013. A Latin presentation for Obama with mayor artists.
Read Jimmy's full biography - click here

JIMMY HASLIP
Jimmy was born December 31st, 1951 in the Bronx, New York. He grew up in Huntington, Long Island. In 1963 at the age of 13, he became interested in electric bass and has now been playing for 47+ years. Jimmy left New York in 1969 playing music in San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver and Dallas before moving on to Los Angeles in late 1975, where he began touring and recording with many different popular artists.

In 1978 he met guitarist Robben Ford and keyboardist Russell Ferrante and formed a group to record Robben's first solo recording on Electra-Asylum. This critically acclaimed album, called " The Inside Story" became a landmark recording. That album led to the formation of The Yellowjackets and in 1980 they recorded a debut album for Warners Bros. Records.

In 2018, Jimmy won another Grammy Award with his work with Jeff Lorber's album “Prototype”which he produced (Best Contemporary Instrumental Album)... Read More at Wikipedia

LATEST RELEASE

Otmaro Ruiz - Jimmy Branly - Jimmy Haslip - elemental

Featuring:

Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synths: Otmaro Ruiz
Drums: Jimmy Branly
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip

All compositions by Otmaro Ruiz (Minina Music ASCAP), except "Boomtown" by Jimmy Haslip & Russell Ferrante (LaViera Music BMI, Teeth Music BMI).

Produced:  Jimmy Branly, Otmaro Ruiz & Jimmy Haslip
Recording & Mixing Engineer:  Jimmy Branly at JBranly Studios, Burbank, CA, except acoustic pianos at Otmatik Sound, Santa Clarita, CA
Mastered:  Rich Breen at Dogmatic Sound, Burbank, CA
Album Design: Jay Matsueda
Photography: Joseph Viles & assistant Adrianne Duncan

Click Album Cover for more info